So, you’ve probably seen it by now. Or maybe you just heard the whispers about a certain high-ranking New York politician wearing an apron, rapping about chapatis, and looking like he’s having the absolute time of his life in a food truck.
That would be the Zohran Mamdani rap video.
Honestly, in the weird, often-stuffy world of New York City politics, it’s not every day you find the sitting Mayor—yes, the 112th Mayor of NYC as of early 2026—having a past life as a bilingual hip-hop artist. It’s kinda surreal. During the 2025 mayoral race, opponents tried to use his music career as a "gotcha" moment, but it mostly just made people more curious about the guy.
The Mr. Cardamom Era
Before he was leading City Hall, Zohran Mamdani went by two main stage names: Young Cardamom and Mr. Cardamom. This wasn't some half-baked hobby or a cringey "fellow kids" outreach attempt. He was actually out there making tracks that blended Luganda, English, and Swahili.
The video that everyone keeps talking about—and the one that Erin Burnett famously sprung on him during a live CNN interview in June 2025—is for the song "Nani." In it, Mamdani is dressed in a simple apron, performing alongside the legendary Madhur Jaffrey. Yes, the world-renowned food critic and actress. Seeing her stand in a food truck, playfully throwing middle fingers while Mamdani drops bars, is a vibe you just can't manufacture.
Why "#1 Spice" and "Kanda" Actually Mattered
If you dig a bit deeper than the viral clips, you'll find that his music was deeply tied to his identity as a Ugandan-born Indian. One of his most famous tracks, "#1 Spice," wasn't just a catchy tune; it was featured on the soundtrack for the Disney film Queen of Katwe, directed by his mother, the acclaimed Mira Nair.
The song "Kanda (Chap Chap)" is another one that gets stuck in your head. It’s basically an ode to chapati. He raps about having the "same history as chapati"—origins in India, but born in Uganda.
- Cultural Fusion: He used Nubi, Luganda, and Swahili to create a specific Ugandan style.
- Royalties: Even as a State Assembly member, Mamdani’s financial disclosures listed him as a “self-employed rapper” because he was still earning (admittedly small) royalties.
- Political Edge: His music often touched on themes of dignity, home, and not "going back to the village," which mirrored his later political focus on housing and rent justice.
The CNN "Cringe" Moment That Backfired
When CNN aired a clip of the Zohran Mamdani rap video without warning in 2025, the goal seemed to be to rattle him. He looked visibly uncomfortable for a split second, but then he just laughed it off.
It turns out, New Yorkers didn't really care if their candidate used to rap. If anything, it made him feel human. In a city where former Mayor Eric Adams was known for a somewhat "bizarre" social media presence, Mamdani’s music videos felt like genuine art, even if they were a bit goofy.
By the time his inauguration rolled around on January 1, 2026, the music wasn't a liability anymore—it was a celebration. He actually had Punjabi Canadian rapper Babbulicious perform a reworked version of "Gaddi Red Challenger" at the ceremony. Hearing a rapper shout "New York, Zohran Mamdani!" at an official swearing-in was a signal that the old guard of "safe" political optics was officially dead.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you’re trying to track down the full story or just want to see the videos for yourself, here is how to navigate the "Young Cardamom" discography:
- Watch "Nani" for the vibe: It’s the one with Madhur Jaffrey. It’s the ultimate example of his "Mr. Cardamom" persona and shows the humor he brings to his public image.
- Listen to "Kanda (Chap Chap)": This is the track if you want to understand his Ugandan-Indian roots. It explains his background better than any campaign stump speech ever could.
- Check the "Queen of Katwe" Soundtrack: You’ll see Lupita Nyong’o in the music video for "#1 Spice." It’s a reminder that Mamdani has been adjacent to high-level creative circles for a long time.
- Look for the "Nyege Nyege" Festival clips: Before the suits and ties, he was performing at this massive underground music festival in Uganda. It’s where he really honed the bilingual rap style that eventually became a talking point in the NYC mayoral race.
Whether you think the Zohran Mamdani rap video is "cringe" or a masterclass in authenticity, it’s a permanent part of the NYC political landscape now. It proves that having a creative past—no matter how many aprons or chapatis are involved—isn't the campaign-killer it used to be.
