Andre Gee Laid Off from Rolling Stone & "Ebro in the Morning" Abruptly Ends at Hot 97 After 13 years
Andre Gee (the Rolling Stone writer who got laid off):
In A Double Media Shake-Upfor hip-hop media, two major outlets hit the reset button just before the holidays—Rolling Stone laid off writer Andre Gee amid company-wide cuts, while Hot 97 suddenly pulled the plug on its iconic morning show Ebro in the Morning after 13 years. Coincidence? Timing? Or just the brutal reality of media in 2025? Fans are buzzing, former foes are gloating, and everyone's speculating on what's next for these culture heavyweights.
Andre Gee, the sharp hip-hop journalist known for deep dives into the genre's legends and rising stars, announced his layoff on December 9, 2025. After three years penning features for Rolling Stone (including interviews with billy woods, Young Chop, and Erick Sermon), Gee revealed the cuts stemmed from the magazine's recent merger with VIBE. He launched a GoFundMe and shifted focus to his Substack newsletter, staying gracious: "I'm appreciative of my time there, but I know this is opening a better path." The layoffs were part of a broader Penske Media wave affecting Billboard, Variety, and more—hitting writers hard right before Christmas.
Just days later, on December 12, Ebro Darden dropped the bomb: "Ebro in the Morning"—the syndicated powerhouse with Peter Rosenberg and Laura Stylez—was "done" on Hot 97. The trio signed off quietly on air, but social media erupted. Ebro blamed MediaCo's venture capitalists, claiming his outspoken leftist views (including anti-government stances) didn't vibe with corporate bag-chasing. "They don’t give a f*** about Hip Hop, Black music, or the community," he vented. Rosenberg called it the end of a "childhood dream," while Stylez teased future collabs. Superadio hinted at new platforms for the "Ebro brand," and Funk Flex temporarily filled mornings—but clarified it's not permanent.
The internet wasted no time: Drake dropped a hatchet emoji celebrating the show's end (sparking clapbacks from Ebro and Rosenberg), and the changes follow other Hot 97 exits like DJ Enuff and TT Torrez.
Fun Facts About the Fallout and Legacies
- Timing Drama: Both exits hit within days—Andre's layoff on Dec 9, Ebro's show ending Dec 12. Media insiders note Penske (Rolling Stone) and MediaCo (Hot 97) are navigating tough ad markets and mergers.
- Akademiks' Petty Revenge: DJ Akademiks trolled Andre hard, resurfacing a 2023 Rolling Stone piece where Gee called Ak's Rumble deal a "right-wing impulse" in hip-hop. Ak posted screenshots after Gee blocked him: "Don’t hide now!"
- Ebro's Long Beef History: From clashing with Drake (who's criticized on the show forever) to 50 Cent calling him out in 2016 for "destroying NY rap," Ebro's no stranger to smoke. He once held mornings from 2004-2007 before returning in 2012.
- Iconic Interviews Lost?: Ebro in the Morning was YouTube gold—millions of subs, viral moments with everyone from Kendrick to Cardi. The team vows to continue online.
- Andre's Hip-Hop Cred: Brooklyn-based but DC roots, Gee's work earned nods from LA and NY Press Clubs. Fans praise his "care" for the culture—expect big things from his newsletter era.
- Hot 97 Shake-Ups Continue: This year's already seen Flex's slot switch and Enuff's departure (which Ebro blamed on ownership pitting hosts against each other).
End of an era or setup for bigger moves? Andre's grinding independently, and the Ebro crew's teasing "more to come." Hip-hop media's evolving fast—stay tuned, because these voices aren't going quiet. What's your take: Corporate cuts killing culture, or just business? Drop it below! 📻📰💔
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