NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has revealed his deeply diverse musical tastes in a candid interview with Rolling Stone, highlighting Pakistani singer and rapper Shamoon Ismail as a mainstay on his personal playlist. Discussing the tracks that shape his daily life, the newly elected mayor shared that he has been tuned into Ismail’s unique blend of Punjabi indie-pop and hip-hop for several years and has recently been diving even deeper into the musician’s discography. The playlist reflects Mamdani’s rich multicultural heritage of South Asian and East African descent, seamlessly bridging artists from Pakistan, Uganda, and the United States.
Reflecting on his lifelong connection to music, Mayor Mamdani explained that it serves as a vital lens through which he understands both the world and his own place within it. Born in Uganda, he noted that he frequently listens to the prominent Ugandan duo Radio & Weasel, alongside American country favorite Kacey Musgraves for more reflective moments. Mamdani also reminisced about growing up in New York City, recalling his early days browsing the legendary Tower Records, buying bootleg CDs of Eiffel 65’s Europop, and listening to a clean version of Jay-Z’s seminal album The Blueprint. The mayor’s relatable and vast musical palette—which previously included high praise for Indian-American rapper Heems and famously culminated in his 2025 election victory speech wrapping up to the iconic Bollywood track Dhoom Machale—has garnered widespread praise from fans worldwide.
