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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani continues to receive modest royalties from his previous career as a multilingual rapper, according to recently released tax filings. The 34-year-old Democratic mayor earned $1,643 in music royalties last year, a slight increase from the $1,267 he earned in 2024.
During a press briefing on Thursday, Mamdani responded to questions about his musical side income with humor, encouraging New Yorkers to “go to Spotify” if they wanted to help boost his earnings. “A lot of people say they’re listening,” he quipped. “They’re not listening.”
Before entering politics, Mamdani performed under the stage names “Young Cardamom” and “Mr. Cardamom.” His musical journey began in high school and continued through his twenties, when he created socially conscious music addressing diverse topics from Indian flatbread to colonialism. The mayor has previously described himself self-deprecatingly as a “C-list rapper” and has cited the indie hip-hop group Das Racist among his childhood musical inspirations.
The tax documents shared with reporters Thursday revealed that Mamdani’s primary source of income in 2025 came from his position as a state Assembly member, which paid him $131,296. His wife contributed an additional $10,010 through her graphic design work, bringing their joint household income to approximately $145,000.
Mamdani’s financial picture is changing significantly with his ascension to mayor. In his new role, he will earn a substantial salary of $258,750 this year, representing a nearly 100 percent increase from his previous government compensation.
The phenomenon of entertainment royalties appearing on mayoral tax returns isn’t unprecedented in New York City politics. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg also reported entertainment income during his tenure. According to Bloomberg’s redacted 2012 tax return, he received between $2,000 and $10,000 in residuals from various entertainment appearances, including cameos as himself on the “Law & Order” television franchise, the 2008 television special “A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa,” and the 2011 film “The Adjustment Bureau,” which starred Matt Damon.
Mamdani’s rise in politics has been notably swift. After serving in the New York State Assembly, he successfully campaigned for the city’s highest office, becoming one of the youngest mayors in New York City history. His background as a rapper with progressive political messages has helped shape his public image as a different kind of political figure who connects with younger voters and diverse communities across the city.
The intersection of entertainment and politics has become increasingly common in American public life, with figures from various artistic backgrounds transitioning into governance roles. Mamdani’s continued, albeit modest, music royalties represent a tangible link to his pre-political career that helped establish his identity before entering public service.
While the mayor’s music royalties represent just a fraction of his overall income, they highlight the diverse backgrounds increasingly found among elected officials and reflect the changing nature of political leadership in major American cities. As Mamdani settles into his role as mayor of America’s largest city, his unique background as a multilingual rapper with progressive politics continues to distinguish him from many of his predecessors.
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5 Comments
It’s admirable that the mayor is still earning money from his creative passions, even as he serves in public office. I wonder if he plans to return to music-making in the future.
Interesting that the mayor still earns royalties from his rap music days. I wonder what kind of music he created and if it reflected his political views even back then.
I’m surprised the mayor’s music royalties are as modest as the article states. I would have guessed that a politician-rapper would command higher streaming numbers and payouts.
It’s impressive that the mayor was able to maintain his musical side hustle while serving in public office. I bet his unique background and experience as a rapper helps him connect with younger constituents.
The mayor’s tongue-in-cheek response about people not actually listening to his music is pretty funny. I’d be curious to hear some of his old tracks and see how they compare to his current political persona.