logo
Mr. Cardamom? Zohran Mamdani, NYC's Democratic mayoral candidate, was a rapper.

Mr. Cardamom? Zohran Mamdani, NYC's Democratic mayoral candidate, was a rapper.

Zohran Mamdani turned heads after winning New York City's Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday night. The election caught the attention of the country and in true internet fashion, a piece of Mamdani's past – a musical piece, at that – has been brought to light.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic socialist who has strong stances on renters' rights, affordable developments and higher taxes for the wealthy, defied odds by pushing out frontrunner and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. But Mamdani's progressive views aren't the only surprising thing about him. Since winning the primary, videos and music associated with Mamdani's old rap career have gone viral. In a "past life," Mamdani was known under the monikers Mr. Cardamom and Young Cardamom.
In 2016, Mamdani's song, #1 Spice, produced under the name Young Cardamom with Mamdani's childhood friend Abdul Car Hussein, who performed as HAB, was featured in Disney's "Queen of Katwe," directed by Mamdani's mother, Mira Nair.
Starring Lupita Nyong'o, "Queen of Katwe" tells the story of 10-year-old Phiona who becomes fascinated with chess, introduced to her by a missionary visiting her hometown of Kampala, Uganda. "#1 Spice" is the first track in the movie.
Mamdani's team did not immediately respond for comment about his rapping past when contacted by USA TODAY on June 25. But during a recent guest appearance on Kutti Gang, a New York comedy show, Mamdani did poke fun at independent artists.
"Every brown boy lived on SoundCloud at one point," Mamdani said during the show, laughing. "I'm running on a very simple message. It's not about being on SoundCloud, though, respect."
The sole video on Mr. Cardamom's YouTube channel is a 2019 music video for his song, "Nani," dedicated to his grandmother Praveen Nair, the founder of Salaam Baalak Trust, a nonprofit that supports underprivileged children in Delhi, India, according to The New York Times. The video, which stars American-Indian actress Madhur Jaffrey as Nair, had more than 279,000 views as of June 25.
Produced when Mamdani was 27 years old, according to The New York Times, "Nani" tells the story of an underappreciated grandmother who describes herself as the "85 years gold" and the "best damn Nani that you ever done seen."
Mamdani's musical career got its start when he was a junior at Bronx High School of Science, according to reporting by The New York Times. He ran for class vice president on a rapping campaign and unlike this week, lost.
Around 2015, Mamdani began rapping under Young Cardamom. In 2016, Mamdani and Hussein recorded and released a six-song EP titled, "Sidda Mukyaalo".
"Nani" is the only song available under Mamdani's Mr. Cardamom moniker, available on Spotify, Apple Music and of course, YouTube.
"#1 Spice" and the full "Sidda Mukyaalo" EP are available for streaming on Young Cardamom's Spotify.
Largely, Mamdani's past rap career has received positive reviews from NYC voters and those elsewhere following the election.
The top comment on the "Nani" YouTube video reads, "That's Mayor Mr. Cardamom to you!"
Another comment on the video reads, "I love how every other politician has a crazy scandal and Zohran's just out here with a track about his Nani (grannie)."
Comedian and filmmaker Esau Hamadanyan poked fun at the mayoral candidate in a social media post on Wednesday.
"Zohran Mamdani did what very few men can accomplish: Acknowledge your rap mixtape is not that good, and switch lanes," comedian and filmmaker Hamadanyan wrote. "(I love Zohran, just goofin."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Vice President JD Vance is on the road again to sell the Republicans' big new tax law
Vice President JD Vance is on the road again to sell the Republicans' big new tax law

Boston Globe

time9 minutes ago

  • Boston Globe

Vice President JD Vance is on the road again to sell the Republicans' big new tax law

In West Pittston, Pennsylvania, Vance told attendees at an industrial machine shop that they should be able to keep more of their pay in their pockets, highlighting the law's new tax deductions on overtime. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Vance also discussed a new children's savings program called Trump Accounts and how the new law promotes energy extraction, while decrying Democrats for opposing the bill that keeps the current tax rates, which would have otherwise expired later this year. Advertisement The legislation cleared the GOP-controlled Congress by the narrowest of margins, with Vance breaking a tie vote in the Senate for the package that also sets aside hundreds of billions of dollars for Trump's immigration agenda while slashing Medicaid and food stamps. The vice president is also stepping up his public relations blitz on the bill as the White House tries to deflect attention away from the growing controversy over Jeffrey Epstein. Advertisement The disgraced financier killed himself, authorities say, in a New York jail cell in 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. Trump and his top allies stoked conspiracy theories about Epstein's death before Trump returned to the White House and are now reckoning with the consequences of a Justice Department announcement earlier this month that Epstein did indeed die by suicide and that no further documents about the case would be released. Questions about the case continued to dog Trump in Scotland, where he on Sunday announced a framework trade deal with the European Union. Asked about the timing of the trade announcement and the Epstein case and whether it was correlated, Trump responded: 'You got to be kidding with that.' 'No, had nothing to do with it,' Trump told the reporter. 'Only you would think that.' The White House sees the new law as a clear political boon, sending Vance to promote it in swing congressional districts that will determine whether Republicans retain their House majority next year. The northeastern Pennsylvania stop is in the district represented by Republican Rep. Rob Bresnahan, a first-term lawmaker who knocked off a six-time Democratic incumbent last fall. On Monday, Vance will be in the district of Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes, who is a top target for the National Republican Congressional Committee this cycle. Polls before the bill's passage showed that it largely remained unpopular, although the public approves of some individual provisions such as increasing the child tax credit and allowing workers to deduct more of their tips on taxes.

Vice President JD Vance is on the road again to sell the Republicans' big new tax law
Vice President JD Vance is on the road again to sell the Republicans' big new tax law

Hamilton Spectator

time38 minutes ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

Vice President JD Vance is on the road again to sell the Republicans' big new tax law

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Vice President JD Vance is hitting his home state on Monday to continue promoting the GOP's sweeping tax-and-border bill. He will be in Canton, Ohio, to talk about the bill's 'benefits for hardworking American families and businesses,' according to his office. Aides offered little detail in advance about the visit, but NBC News reported that his remarks will take place at a steel plant in Canton, located about 60 miles south of Cleveland. The visit marks Vance's second trip this month to sell the package, filled with a hodgepodge of conservative priorities that Republicans have dubbed the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' as the vice president becomes its chief promoter on the road. In West Pittston, Pennsylvania, Vance told attendees at an industrial machine shop that they should be able to keep more of their pay in their pockets, highlighting the law's new tax deductions on overtime. Vance also discussed a new children's savings program called Trump Accounts and how the new law promotes energy extraction, while decrying Democrats for opposing the bill that keeps the current tax rates, which would have otherwise expired later this year. The legislation cleared the GOP-controlled Congress by the narrowest of margins, with Vance breaking a tie vote in the Senate for the package that also sets aside hundreds of billions of dollars for Trump's immigration agenda while slashing Medicaid and food stamps. The vice president is also stepping up his public relations blitz on the bill as the White House tries to deflect attention away from the growing controversy over Jeffrey Epstein . The disgraced financier killed himself, authorities say, in a New York jail cell in 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. Trump and his top allies stoked conspiracy theories about Epstein's death before Trump returned to the White House and are now reckoning with the consequences of a Justice Department announcement earlier this month that Epstein did indeed die by suicide and that no further documents about the case would be released. Questions about the case continued to dog Trump in Scotland, where he on Sunday announced a framework trade deal with the European Union. Asked about the timing of the trade announcement and the Epstein case and whether it was correlated, Trump responded: 'You got to be kidding with that.' 'No, had nothing to do with it,' Trump told the reporter. 'Only you would think that.' The White House sees the new law as a clear political boon, sending Vance to promote it in swing congressional districts that will determine whether Republicans retain their House majority next year. The northeastern Pennsylvania stop is in the district represented by Republican Rep. Rob Bresnahan, a first-term lawmaker who knocked off a six-time Democratic incumbent last fall. On Monday, Vance will be in the district of Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes, who is a top target for the National Republican Congressional Committee this cycle. Polls before the bill's passage showed that it largely remained unpopular, although the public approves of some individual provisions such as increasing the child tax credit and allowing workers to deduct more of their tips on taxes. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .

Donald Trump says Beyoncé should be 'prosecuted' for alleged Harris endorsement payment
Donald Trump says Beyoncé should be 'prosecuted' for alleged Harris endorsement payment

USA Today

time4 hours ago

  • USA Today

Donald Trump says Beyoncé should be 'prosecuted' for alleged Harris endorsement payment

Donald Trump still has a political bone to pick with Queen Bey. The president, who has previously voiced criticism of celebrities who showed support for his election counterpart, Kamala Harris, took to social media on Saturday, July 26, to renew his unfounded claim that pop star Beyoncé was allegedly paid $11 million to endorse Harris' presidential bid. In the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, the "Cowboy Carter" songstress made her endorsement of Harris official when she appeared at the former vice president's abortion rights rally in her hometown of Houston in October. She also cleared the usage of her 2016 song "Freedom" for Harris, and the tune became the Democratic nominee's official campaign song. "I'm looking at the large amount of money owed by the Democrats after the presidential election and the fact that they admit to paying, probably illegally, $11 million dollars to singer Beyoncé for an ENDORSEMENT (she never sang, not one note...)," wrote Trump in a fiery Truth Social post, also citing alleged endorsement payments to media mogul Oprah Winfrey and civil rights activist Al Sharpton. USA TODAY has reached out to a representative for Beyoncé for comment. "Can you imagine what would happen if politicians started paying for people to endorse them. All hell would break out!" Trump concluded. "Kamala and all of those that received endorsement money BROKE THE LAW. They should all be prosecuted! Thank you for your attention to this matter." Trump's digital tirade comes just two months after he accused the Grammy-winning singer and other celebrities of being paid to publicly support Harris' candidacy. In a May Truth Social post, the GOP president announced plans for a "major investigation" into the Harris campaign's celebrity endorsements. Catch up: Trump calls Beyoncé's endorsement of Kamala Harris 'illegal' Did Beyoncé receive payment for Kamala Harris endorsement? At the time of Trump's original allegations in May, the Federal Election Commission had no record of an $11 million payment to Beyoncé from Harris' presidential campaign. Additionally, the agency does not have rules explicitly prohibiting candidates from paying for endorsements. It is unclear where Trump got the unsubstantiated $11 million figure. The Harris campaign last year rejected a rumor that it paid Beyoncé $10 million for her endorsement that spread on social media shortly after the music star's October 2024 appearance with Harris. Beyoncé's mother, Tina Knowles, also pushed back at the $10 million rumor in a November 2024 Instagram post, calling it "false information" and a "lie." She added that the singer "actually paid for her own flights for her and her team." Oprah Winfrey says she was not paid a 'personal fee' for Kamala Harris rally What has Beyoncé said about Kamala Harris campaign? During her October 2024 appearance at Harris' rally, Beyoncé, who was joined by fellow singer and Destiny's Child alum Kelly Rowland, said "It's time for America to sing a new song" when describing Harris' presidential bid. "I'm not here as a celebrity. I'm not here as a politician. I'm here as a mother," the pop star added. "Your freedom is your God-given right, your human right." Harris has long been a fan of Beyoncé. The California-born politician attended the singer's Renaissance World Tour in 2023 just outside of Washington, D.C., after she gifted Harris tickets. Contributing: Caché McClay, Joey Garrison and Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store