Cardi B Makes History as Megan Thee Stallion-Collab “WAP” Earns Diamond RIAA-Certification

Posted on August 3, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

Another of Cardi B’s massive hits is shining bright like a diamond…

The 33-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-winning rap superstar and Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP” has been certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Both Cardi B and Meg posted on X shortly after hearing the news about having another plaque on the way to celebrate their latest accolades.

“Awww y’all WAP just went diamond… me and @theestallion really did that!! Love y’all so much… thank you for streaming and making history with us #WAP,” Cardi wrote.

To which the Houston Hottie responded: “WOWW omg diamond sisterrr thank you for having me!”

The certification gives Cardi a fourth diamond song, the most of any female rapper ever, and serves as Megan’s first.

“WAP” arrived during the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2020 and became the first female rap collab to debut atop the Billboard Hot 100, where it spent four non-consecutive weeks.

Cardi and Meg teamed up for a steamy “WAP” music video, which features an appearance from reality mogul Kylie Jenner, and currently boasts over 583 million views.

“I been had this record for a long time. I wanted it to be like four, five females,” Cardi B told Hot 97 in 2020 of the hit’s origin. “It was just such a good vibe. When I heard the song, I thought she only put one verse… I didn’t even know she put a verse almost at the end of it… It was just too fire.”

The “WAP” duo performed the anthem for the first time at the 2021 Grammy Awards and then reunited a year later during Cardi’s set at Wireless Fest in 2022.

Cardi B will look to keep the accolades coming as she returned with the release of her “Ah Ha” single on Friday (July 31), which serves as her first single since 2025’s Am I the Drama?.

The Kid Mero To Host Morning Show on NYC’s Hot 97

Posted on January 12, 2026 by Tom Castaneda

The Kid Mero is on a Hot streak…

The 42-year-old Dominican-American writer, comedian, television host, actor and internet personality, whose real name is Joel Armogasto Martinez, will be hosting the morning show at New York City’s Hot 97 following Ebro in the Morning‘s dismissal in December.

Mero won’t be wasting any time as Mornings With Mero is set to debut on Tuesday, January 13.

The morning show will be Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. ET to 10 a.m. ET going forward.

“I will be with y’all faithfully every Monday through Friday from six to 10, you know what I mean. The most consistent voice in your life,” Mero said in the announcement clip. “More consistent than your parents, which is crazy to say as a radio host because you might have good parents, but if you got bad parents, I’m your daddy now. Mornings With Mero, baby, lock in.”

Mero added in a press statement: “Hot 97 is the station — it’s been the voice of NYC hip-hop and culture for decades. I grew up listening to Hot 97, so to get the morning slot here isn’t just a job—it’s a responsibility to continue that legacy while bringing it into this next era of media. We’re gonna laugh, we’re gonna get into it, but it’s always gonna be real, and a real good time!”

Funk Flex lent his stamp of approval in the comment section. “We all family! We rolling,” he wrote. NBA Hall-of-Famer Carmelo Anthony, Nems and Cousin Stizz also saluted the move.

Mero saw his profile rise while co-hosting Desus & Mero from 2016 through 2022, when the comedic duo split. Mero is currently a co-host of the 7PM in Brooklyn show with NBA legend Carmelo Anthony and Kazeem Famuyide.

“Hot 97 has always been about representing the culture of New York, and Mero is New York,”said Kudjo Sogadzi, evp of content & growth at MediaCo. “He’s authentic, hilarious, fearless, and deeply connected to the community. Hot 97 Mornings with Mero is going to set the tone for the city every morning and create must-listen moments for our audience.”

Ebro in the Morning came to a close in December after 13 years on the Hot 97 airwaves. Ebro Darden led the program alongside co-hosts Peter Rosenberg and Laura Stylez.

After Mero, DJ Drewski will be on the air from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by Nessa from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and then Funk Flex will take over for the 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift.

Cardi B to Headline Hot 97’s Summer Jam in June

Posted on April 3, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Cardi B is preparing for a steamy summer…

This year, renowned New York radio station Hot 97 is looking to shake things up with its annual performance staple, Summer Jam, by selecting the 30-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-winning rap superstar to headline the event on June 4 at UBS Arena.

Cardi B will bring her laundry bag of hits, including Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers “Bodak Yellow,” “WAP,” “Up” and more.

The Bronx dynamo will have a practice round when she headlines Rolling Loud Thailand on April 13-15 along with Travis Scott and Chris Brown.

In June 2022, Cardi B headlined Wireless Festival, and in December, she reportedly netted $1 million for a 35-minute set at Art Basel.

“I got payed 1 million dollars to perform at this elite bankers private event for 400 people and only for 35 minutes,” she tweeted in response to a mocking her “backyard set.”

In addition to Cardi B, Hot 97 has enlisted several female upstarts to perform along with the touted superstar, including Ice Spice, GloRilla, Coi Leray and Lola Brooke.

More New York representatives will also hit the stage at UBS Arena, notably French Montana, Lil Tjay and Fivio Foreign. To commemorate 50 years of hip-hop, The LOX will lead the way.

Younger artists such as NLE Choppa, Kenzo B, 2Rare, Sha EK, McVert and TQ will perform at a pre-festival show hosted by Montana. According to the radio station, more acts will be announced later.

Tickets go on sale Saturday, April 8 at 10:00 am.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqk01s2uW_R/

“HOT 97’s Summer Jam is a hip-hop staple, and we are excited to bring the most electric show of the summer back to New York for hip-hop’s 50th anniversary,” said Bradford Tobin, president, chief operating officer and general counsel in a press release.

“The show is all about bringing hip-hop’s biggest stars to the stage, and we are honored to have New York’s own Cardi B as our headliner this year,” added TT Torrez, multimedia personality and VP of artist and label Relations. “I am so proud of the strong female presence in our lineup, which represents women’s dominance over the airwaves this year.”

Fabolous to Perform at Hot 97’s Summer Jam

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Fabolous is ready to jam out this summer…

The 37-year-old half-Dominican American hip hop artist will perform at Hot 97’s Summer Jam.

The New York City radio station, the world’s most well known hip hop station, has officially revealed the lineup, which also includes performances by Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, Chris Brown, Trey Songz, Meek Mill, Childish Gambino, Omarion and Ty Dolla $ign.

Fabolous and his friends will be performing on the main stage of the festival.

B.o.B, Joey Bada$$, Dej Loaf, Travi$ Scott and Teyana Taylor will be performing on the festival stage.

Summer Jam 2015 will take place on Sunday, June 7 at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

Tickets are on sale now on Ticketmaster.

Fergie’s New Solo Album to Feature Duet with Nicki Minaj

Posted on November 16, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It appears Fergie is ready to duet with a rap superstar…

The 39-year-old part-Mexican American singer and Black Eyed Peas member has confirmed that a duet with Nicki Minaj is on its way.

Fergie, who’ll host and perform at the Billboard Hollywood Party, confirmed the collaboration with the “Anaconda” rapper during a recent interview with “Ebro in the Morning” on Hot 97.

“This is the first time I’ve even announced anything,” said Fergie of her first solo album since 2006’s The Dutchess. When asked if fans would get to hear the duet ahead of the album, she teased, “Possibly.”

Fergie also weighed in on the rivalry among female rappers (which is currently brewing between Nicki and Iggy Azalea).

“Healthy competition, there’s nothing wrong with that,” said Fergie. “That’s normal. That’s just like flirting, it’s a normal human thing. It’s healthy.”

The Black Eyed Peas singer said she could relate to the criticism Azalea was subjected to as a white woman in hip-hop.

“It actually fueled me,” she recalled her own experience. “I was like ‘You know what? These fools are just sitting there saying this. They have no idea who I am. I have worked for this my entire life. I am ambitious. I am an overachiever. I’m gonna do this and I see it so clearly.’ And it’s like, ‘You know what? I probably listen to more hip-hop than any of these fools.'”

Swizz Beatz Releases New Single “Hands Up”

Posted on August 25, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

It’s time to put your Hands Up for Swizz Beatz…

The 34-year-old half-Puerto Rican hip-hop artist and record producer has premiered his latest single “Hands Up,” with help from New York City’s Hot 97‘s Funkmaster Flex.

Swizz’s new track is a massive collaboration, featuring four of hip-hop’s brightest stars, Nicki MInaj, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz dropping verses while Swizz Beatz handles the hook.

Weezy kicks off the verses, acknowledging Beatz’s hip-hop greatness with, “Swizz this beat is a beast” and name-dropping Beatz’s wife Alicia Keys. Meanwhile, Minaj reasserts her reign with, “Ayo pass the crown to the real queen,” then “I’m a mogul, yes I am global/ I don’t do Barnes but yes I am noble/ Every interview yes I am their focal, point. I’m in da mansion, flossing, clickin’ cable.”

Maybach Music Group mogul Ross delivers the hip-hop lifestyle rundown, from his Cherokee to his Bugatti and down to his Rolls Royce, the jewels and the “hundred grand.” Chainz rounds it up, commanding the ladies with, “Let me see you pat your weave if you ratchet.”

Miguel to Perform at This Year’s Hot 97 “Summer Jam”

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Miguel will be jammin’ this summer…

The 27-year-old half-Mexican American singer-songwriter, who will perform at this year’s Billboard Music Awards, has been added to the lineup of New York City’s Hot 97 Summer Jam event.

Miguel, who will release his Art Dealer Chic EPs this summer, will be joined by fellow performers Chris Brown, Wu-Tang Clan, Kendrick Lamar, 2 Chainz, Fabolous, A$AP Rocky, Wale and more at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

Summer Jam XX will take place on June 2.

The Hot 97 Festival Village, which takes place before the main event, from 2:00 – 6:00 pm EST, will include performances by Joey Bada$$, A$AP Ferg, Vinny Cha$e, Bodega Bamz and Radamiz.

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