Zohran Mamdani’s recent election as New York’s new mayor has placed him firmly in the spotlight. However, the discussion extends beyond his political victory to his surprising past in music. An old email from 2017, recently shared by American music website Stereogum, has gone viral.
This email revealed Mamdani’s former identity as a rapper known by his stage name, Mr. Cardamom. In 2017, he reached out to Stereogum to promote his new rap composition, “SALAAM.” At the time, he aimed to address the fears and identity of the Muslim community in America.
His email stated, “I am a New York-based rapper and I have just released a new song ‘SALAAM’. It talks about what it feels like to be Muslim in America – fear and what the roots of that fear are.” This email went unnoticed then, but it is now widely discussed following his historic win as New York’s first Muslim mayor.
Mamdani’s musical work is known for its deep social and cultural commentary. His song “SALAAM” specifically referenced the “Holy Land Five,” who were convicted of terrorism in 2008. It criticized the discrimination faced by the Muslim community.
His debut rap single, “KANDA,” released in 2015, humorously paid tribute to Indian cuisine, particularly flatbreads like roti or chapati. This track helped him gain recognition among local artists.
He also collaborated with renowned Indian actress and cookbook author Madhur Jaffrey on the music video “Naani.” In the video, Jaffrey rapped alongside Mamdani at a street food cart. This project served as a heartfelt and humorous homage to his South Asian heritage and family roots.
While Mamdani has moved from the rap scene to the political arena, his creative spirit endures. Following his mayoral victory, he famously concluded his acceptance speech with the popular Bollywood song “Dhoom Machale” from the film ‘Dhoom’. This gesture highlighted that his passion for music and vibrant energy remain, even on a new stage.
Mamdani’s journey has become a trending topic on social media. Many describe it as a unique blend of art and politics. His old emails and songs are now being shared millions of times, earning him the moniker “Rapper Mayor.” Zohran Mamdani has demonstrated that whether in rap or politics, authentic and fearless expression is a true art form.