Zohran Mamdani, a rapper turned New York City mayoral frontrunner, is embracing his diverse roots as he seeks to lead the city. Born in Uganda of Indian parents, Mamdani’s heritage could resonate with the diverse population of New York City.
Mamdani took a break from music when he first ran for office, winning a seat in the state assembly in 2020 representing Queens, the borough with the largest Indian population. As a former rapper and “self-employed rapper,” Mamdani still earns negligible royalties from performing under the names Young Cardamom and Mr. Cardamom.
In his music career, Mamdani performed at a Uganda festival with his childhood friend Hussein Abdul Bar in 2016. He also contributed to the music video of his mother’s award-winning Indian film “Queen of Katwe,” which tells the true story of a Ugandan girl who becomes a top chess player.
Mamdani’s campaign has featured collaborations with renowned figures, including hip-hop legend RZA from Wu-Tang Clan and acclaimed food critic Madhur Jaffrey. His message resonates with Democratic supporters, as he maintains his democratic socialist views despite becoming a mayoral frontrunner.
Deburring journalist Maria Tsvetkova notes that Mamdani’s background as both a rapper and politician is unique, allowing him to connect with voters from different backgrounds. With the November election approaching, Zohran Mamdani’s diverse roots are an integral part of his campaign for New York City mayor.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/zohran-mamdani-rapper-turned-nyc-mayoral-frontrunner-embraces-diverse-roots-2025-08-27