NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's Rapper Past Yields Ongoing Royalties, Tax Documents Reveal
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is still generating income from his brief stint as a multilingual rapper, according to tax filings made public on Thursday. The 34-year-old Democrat earned $1,643 in music royalties in 2025, a modest increase from $1,267 in 2024, as detailed in the documents.
An additional $1,075 came from worldwide royalties, bringing his total music-related earnings for the year to approximately $2,700. Mamdani, who performed under the stage names "Young Cardamom" and "Mr. Cardamom," humorously suggested on Thursday that New Yorkers should "go to Spotify" if they wish to boost his financial gains from music.
"A lot of people say they're listening," he added with a chuckle. "They're not listening."
From Rapper to Mayor: A Musical Journey
Mamdani first embraced the microphone during his high school years, rapping as part of a vice presidential campaign. By 2015, he was actively performing as "Young Cardamom," later transitioning to "Mr. Cardamom" as he playfully acknowledged moving beyond his youth.
His breakthrough moment arrived with the 2019 video "Nani," featuring actress Madhur Jaffrey portraying his onscreen grandmother. The track garnered over 200,000 views on YouTube and tens of thousands of streams on Spotify, marking a significant milestone in his musical career.
In 2016, Mamdani collaborated with a childhood friend to release a six-song EP that delved into their Ugandan heritage. The project featured raps in multiple languages, addressing themes such as post-colonial identity and everyday prejudice. Additionally, Mamdani contributed to a Disney film soundtrack, a project directed by his mother, where he candidly admitted that "nepotism and hard work goes a long way." The video starred him alongside acclaimed actress Lupita Nyong'o.
Despite his musical endeavors, Mamdani modestly refers to himself as a "C-list rapper"—though his online persona insists on "B-list" status. His musical influences include the indie-rap group Das Racist.
Mamdani stepped away from music when he launched his campaign for the state Assembly in 2019. His rapper alter-ego announced the hiatus on X, stating, "I'm taking a break from being a spice." Interestingly, his streaming numbers experienced a notable surge during his mayoral run, jumping from about 215,000 listens in 2024 to roughly 550,000 in 2025.
Tax Breakdown: Political Salary and Deductions
The majority of Mamdani's 2025 earnings stemmed from his $131,296 salary as a state Assembly member. His wife, Rama Duwaji, reported $10,010 from graphic design work. Together, they declared a joint adjusted gross income of approximately $143,000.
The couple opted for the standard deduction, which was enhanced by President Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," increasing their deduction from $29,000 to $31,500. This release of tax returns marks a return to tradition, as previous mayors have made their filings available to foster public trust. This practice was briefly disrupted when Eric Adams assumed office, as his return was not accessible until October of his first year.
As mayor, Mamdani is now set to earn a salary of $258,750 this year, representing a substantial rise from his previous Assembly earnings.
