Zohran Mamdani initially worked as a Foreclosure Prevention Counselor, but music was his true passion. He would record rap songs late into the night, among which the most famous was “Nani” (Grandma), released in 2019. The song was a humorous tribute to his grandmother and featured the renowned actress and cookbook author Madhur Jafri. Its quirky lyrics and video garnered over 200,000 views on YouTube and more than 43,000 streams on Spotify.
Zohran comes from a highly educated and artistic family. His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a renowned African scholar, while his mother, Meera Nair, is an acclaimed filmmaker who made the Hollywood film Queen of Katwe.
Zohran also contributed musically to his mother’s work, co-writing the song “Spice Number 1” with his friend Abdul Hussain, aka H.A.B., featuring the celebrated actress Lupita Nyong’o.
His rap music often reflected African and South Asian cultural influences. His 2016 album, Sidda Mukyaalo, included songs in six languages, exploring themes like colonial histories, racial and ethnic disparities, and urban struggles. Zohran himself said, “I can’t go back to the village because I am an Asian Ugandan; my village is this city.”
Over time, Zohran transitioned from music to politics, winning the hearts of New Yorkers with citizen-focused policies and a witty yet serious public persona. In the mayoral election, he made history by defeating heavyweight opponents like former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Interestingly, during the recent campaign, his old rap videos resurfaced and went viral. Citizens saw him as a politician who speaks in the language of the people, making his unconventional background a key factor in his popularity.
Thus, a former B-list rapper is now the Mayor of New York City—a journey that may well be the most beautiful twist in Zohran Mamdani’s remarkable life story.
