New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, once known by his rap name Young Cardamom, has surprised fans by revealing he listens to Pakistani rapper Shamoon Ismail.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Mamdani was asked what music he had been listening to lately. He said he had been listening to a lot of Radio & Weasel, a duo from Uganda that topped charts for years, along with Pakistani rapper Shamoon Ismail, whose music he said he has followed for a few years. He added that when he feels reflective, he puts on Kacey Musgraves.
While it’s unclear who first introduced Mamdani to Ismail’s music, the mention fits his known love for global sounds. Mamdani was born to a Ugandan father and an Indian mother and raised in New York, and his musical taste often reflects his close ties with the South Asian community he represents.
This isn’t the first time Mamdani has shown love for South Asian music. Fans recall how he walked off stage to the song “Dhoom Machale” after his victory speech. He has also spoken fondly of artists like Taylor Swift, Jay Z, and Kim Petras, and has named Indian-American rapper Himanshu Suri, known as Heems, as someone who inspired him to enter politics.
As for Shamoon Ismail, his soulful rap style remains popular, with recent tracks like “used to it,” “Alone Together,” and “VOLUME” racking up thousands of streams. The singer has also been going through a personal transition recently, having stepped back briefly before returning with a heartfelt note to fans.
