Recent York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani Still Earning Royalties from Rap Career New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani continues to receive modest income from his brief career as a rapper, according to recently released tax filings. The 34-year-old Democrat reported $1,643 in music royalties for 2025, a slight increase from the $1,267 he earned in 2024. Mamdani performed under the stage names “Young Cardamom” and “Mr. Cardamom” during his time as an independent artist. He began rapping in high school and released socially conscious music in his 20s, touching on topics such as Indian flatbread and colonialism. Mamdani has described himself as a “C-list rapper,” citing the indie-rap group Das Racist as an influence. The majority of Mamdani’s 2025 income came from his $131,296 salary as a New York State Assembly member. His wife earned an additional $10,010 from graphic design perform, bringing their joint income to approximately $145,000 before he assumed the mayoral office. As mayor, Mamdani is set to earn an annual salary of $258,750. Despite his political success, Mamdani has maintained a lighthearted attitude about his music earnings. He has joked that New Yorkers who want to support his bottom line should “travel to Spotify,” adding that while many claim to listen to his music, few actually do. Mamdani is not the first New York City mayor to receive income from entertainment-related work. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg received between $2,000 and $10,000 in residuals from appearances in television shows and films, including “Law & Order,” “A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa,” and “The Adjustment Bureau.” The ongoing royalties serve as a small but notable reminder of Mamdani’s artistic past, even as he focuses on leading the nation’s largest city. While the income is modest compared to his public service salary, it highlights the varied financial backgrounds of modern politicians and the lasting reach of creative work in the digital age.
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