Prior to becoming late night show and podcast sensations, Desus & Mero were just two guys from The Bronx with a remarkable sense of humor.
Now they’re national icons with a popular podcast that led to their own program on Showtime. Bronx’s “Bodega Boys” bring their swagger, humor and charm everywhere they go — including the Bronx Museum of Arts gala on Monday night, where they were honored with a visionary award for their achievements.
“For a long time, it wasn’t cool to be from The Bronx. Growing up, people would be like, ‘Oh, you’re from The Bronx? Ew!'” Desus told amNewYork Metro. “[But] if we grew up anywhere else we wouldn’t be Desus & Mero.”
“If you’ve been there your whole life and you rock with us, we love you,” Mero added as he sported an East Tremont Avenue hat during the gala.
The Bodega Boys have parlayed their success in pop culture into philanthropy and community involvement, advancing plenty of projects supporting their home borough. They teased a project with the anticipated YMCA coming to the Edenwald neighborhood, located in the Bronx’s northeast corner.
When it comes to giving back, Desus said, “If it exists, we’re going to do it in the Bronx.”
Along with supporting their home borough, they’ve also used their shows as a platform for local elected officials such as Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who lauded them while presenting the pair with their award Monday.
“It was one of the most relaxed interviews I had ever done,” Diaz said of his interview with Desus & Mero. “Because there’s a connection there, there’s an understanding, there’s that Bronx DNA.”
Diaz Jr. hopes that they’ll be considered for induction later this year into the Bronx Walk of Fame.
Desus & Mero have also dabbled into the business world, collaborating with the Bronx Brewery in Port Morris on their own lager called “Bodega Boys Beer.”
The Bodega Boys are also die-hard Yankee fans. During their interview with amNewYork Metro, they shared a message for the sign-stealing Houston Astros with Opening Day just weeks away — in their classic style:
