New York Mayor’s Hip-Hop Side Hustle

The New York mayor, Zohran Mamdani, is not your typical politician. He's a man of many talents, including a short-lived but intriguing career as a multilingual rapper. Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democrat, has seen a slight increase in his hip-hop earnings, according to tax filings.

Mamdani, who used the stage names Young Cardamom and Mr. Cardamom, has a unique side hustle. His music royalties totaled $1,643 in 2025, a small rise from $1,267 in 2024. Despite his modest earnings, Mamdani's rap career has gained attention.

The mayor's musical journey began in high school, and he released songs in his 20s, covering diverse topics from Indian flatbread to colonialism. He describes himself as a 'C-list rapper', inspired by indie-rap groups like Das Racist.

The tax filings reveal that Mamdani's primary income source is his political role. He earned $131,296 as a state Assembly member, while his wife contributed $10,010 through graphic design work, resulting in a joint income of approximately $145,000. Mamdani's mayoral salary for 2026 is set to be $258,750.

Interestingly, Mamdani is not the first New York City mayor to receive entertainment royalties. Former mayor Michael Bloomberg's redacted 2012 tax return showed residuals from appearances on TV shows and movies, including Law + Order, A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa, and The Adjustment Bureau.