Joel Armogasto Martinez (born May 15, 1983), professionally known as the Kid Mero, is a Dominican-American writer, comedian, television host, actor, and internet personality. He rose to prominence alongside fellow Bronx native Desus Nice with their Complex TV 46-episode podcast Desus vs. Mero, which first premiered on December 18, 2013. He was a cast member of Guy Code with Desus Nice.How "Guy Code" Became A Comedy Breeding Ground. Fastcocreate.com (January 14, 2015). Retrieved on 2016-06-16.A Conversation Between Itsthereal And The Kid Mero. Noisey.vice.com (April 2, 2013). Retrieved on 2016-06-16. He was the co-host of Viceland's Desus & Mero talk show alongside Desus until June 2018, and co-hosted Desus & Mero which premiered on February 21, 2019, on Showtime.
Early life Martinez was born in Washington Heights, Manhattan to Dominican immigrant parents. The Martinez family moved to the Bronx when he was young, and lived in a number of neighborhoods there; while Martinez mostly grew up in Tremont, he also spent time in Throggs Neck, Kingsbridge, Mount Eden, and Belmont, among other neighborhoods.
Martinez realized he was talented at comedy from a young age but was not particularly interested in televised comedy or stand-up comedians growing up. He attended P.S. 072 Dr. William Dorney, I.S. 117 Joseph H. Wade Intermediate School, and Monsignor Scanlan High School, from which he was expelled in ninth grade, before graduating from DeWitt Clinton High School. He then studied at Bronx Community College before briefly attending Hunter College, studying to be a science teacher while working as a teacher's assistant.
Martinez is Afro-Latino and grew up speaking Spanish. His father and uncle wanted to name him "Ramiro," but they were overruled by his mother. Nevertheless, his dad and uncle referred to him as "Ramiro" growing up, and when Martinez got into graffiti, he adopted the tag name "Miro," which he eventually changed to "Mero" because he thought it looked better.
Career Mero previously worked as a paraprofessional at I.S. 117, his alma mater.
He began writing for Vice's music platform Noisey in 2012 with his first article published on November 14, 2012 - a review of Canadian electronic music duo Crystal Castles' album III.The Kid. (November 14, 2012) Crystal Castles – 'Iii'. Noisey.vice.com. Retrieved on 2016-06-16. In total, he wrote 69 articles for Noisey between November 2012 and March 2014, most of which were album and mixtape reviews, and all written in caps lock.Articles by The Kid Mero. Noisey.vice.com. Retrieved on June 16, 2016.
In September 2014, Mero (with assistance) broke the world record for kazoo solo.James Dolan and Carmelo Anthony also played kazoo EmptyLighthouse.com (September 19, 2014). Retrieved on 2020-04-05.
In December 2014, MTV announced that the Kid Mero and Desus Nice would be joining the cast of Guy Code for season 5, along with 11 other new cast members.'Guy Code' Returns For Season 5 With 13 New Cast Members. Mtv.com (December 15, 2014). Retrieved on 2016-06-16.The Kid Mero on MTV2's Guy Code. Vh1.com (February 9, 2016). Retrieved on 2016-06-16. They appeared on the first episode of season 5, which was originally aired on January 14, 2015.MTV2's Guy Code season 5. Mtv.com (February 9, 2016). Retrieved on 2016-06-16.
On August 30, 2016, Viceland announced Desus & Mero which premiered on October 17, 2016. The half-hour show ran Monday-Thursday and ended on June 28, 2018.Viceland Sets Late-Night Talk Show, New Series Orders and Eddie Huang Renewal. Variety.com (August 30, 2016). Retrieved on 2016-09-12.Viceland's 'Desus & Mero' Gets Showrunner & Premiere Date. Deadline.com (September 26, 2016). Retrieved on 2016-11-29. Mero most recently co-hosted Desus & Mero which premiered on February 21, 2019, on Showtime.
In 2023, Mero started two podcasts: Victory Light, and 7 PM in Brooklyn, the latter with Carmelo Anthony.
In January 2026, Mero became the new morning show host on Hot 97.
In February 2026, Mero started a podcast with Joez McFly from Jomboy Media titled Total Baseball which covered the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Personal life Mero lives in Fair Lawn, New Jersey and is married to Heather Martinez, a teacher from New Jersey. The pair have four children: three boys and a girl.Can Online Stars Desus vs. Mero Succeed IRL?. Vulture.com. Retrieved on June 16, 2016.Caramanica, Jon (March 31, 2013) Laughing at Rappers, Who Laugh Right Back. New York Times Heather is Jewish, and the pair are raising their children in the faith.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 2013–2014 Desus vs. MeroHimselfWith Desus Nice 2015 Guy Code Joking Off 2015–2022Bodega Boys2015Uncommon SenseWild 'N Out TBDNew York Undercover: The BX Chronicles Eddie Torres 2016–2018Desus & Mero Himself 2017 Neo Yokio Lexy (voice) 2019–2022Desus & Mero Himself 2019 Star vs. the Forces of Evil Needles (voice) Episode: "Jannanigans" 2020Vampires vs. the Bronx Tony Bodega Owner2021In the Heights DJ Voice cameo 2022 The Captain Himself Sports documentary 2024–2025 Primos Tio Diego Perez (voice) Recurring role 2024 Hamster & Gretel Luis Demo (voice) Episode: "Lair Necessities"
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