New NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Had a Creative Career Before Entering Politics

Zohran Kwame Mamdani may now be known as the newly elected mayor of New York City (NYC), but years before his historic win, the Queens native — married to Brooklyn artist Rama Duwaji — was known as Mr. Cardamom, a young rapper who released a song called “Nani.”

Yes, That’s the Mayor… in a Rap Music Video Called ‘Nani’

The music video for “Nani” unfolds like a short film, bursting with playful and unapologetic swagger. It opens in a modest kitchen, where famous actress and cookbook author Madhur Jaffrey, playing the archetypal grandmother, lovingly cooks for her grown son and his family, only to be confronted by him moments later at the dining table.

Portrayed by an actor, the son sternly declares that Jaffrey is not a good Nani, citing her overbearing and meddling behavior. The confrontation is short-lived.

With one sharp slap and a glare that could silence generations, Jaffrey’s character takes command — quite literally — mouthing along to the lyrics as she reclaims her throne as “the best damn Nani that you ever done seen.” From there, the video spirals into a fever dream of comic rebellion.

Donning a bright yellow beret, oversized sunglasses, and a killer smirk, the then-octogenarian rap matriarch storms through the streets like a South Asian Missy Elliott, slapping unruly men, demanding proper restaurant service, and waving stacks of cash with diamond-sharp attitude.

Meanwhile, Mamdani slips into a series of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameos — first as a subdued server, then as a disinterested food cart vendor, blending into the fabric of the city he would one day come to lead.

Mamdani’s Colorfully Creative Past

Mamdani’s flair for performance didn’t begin with “Nani.” Long before he took political office, he had been cultivating an artistic identity that was anything but conventional. Born in Kampala, Uganda, and raised in New York from the age of seven, Mamdani often straddled multiple cultures — a dynamic that informed his early work as a musician.

As a student at the Bronx High School of Science, he famously ran for class vice president with a tongue-in-cheek rap campaign promising freshly squeezed juices for all. Though he may not have won the election, it hinted at a persona that was already forming — one that would later take shape as Young Cardamom.

Partnering with his childhood friend Abdul Bar Hussein, also known as HAB, Mamdani co-created tracks like “Kanda (Chap Chap),” a vibrant ode to Ugandan-style chapati that featured the flatbread spinning on a turntable.

Disney Connections and Famous Bloodlines

But it was their song “#1 Spice” — a lively anthem penned for the 2016 Disney film “Queen of Katwe” — that made the biggest splash.

Directed by Mamdani’s mother, acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair, the song opened with a Ugandan child selling salt and exploded into a full-blown rap over the credits, celebrating food, rhythm, and cultural pride with infectious energy.

Not only did Zohran Kwame Mamdani produce a song for the film, which centers around the real-life story of a Ugandan girl who becomes a world chess champion, but he also played an extra dubbed “Brookie student.”

‘A Love Letter to Desi New York’

Additionally, the politician served as the third assistant director and music supervisor. That same passion for cultural storytelling was spotlighted in Mamdani’s first solo project as Mr. Cardamom — a track (“Nani”) he described as “a love letter to desi New York.”

Marking a new chapter in his artistic journey, the video was an ode to the city’s South Asian enclaves, rich with flavor, history, and immigrant hustle. “Better drop the act that I’m young,” he stated, nodding to his own growth while embracing the vibrancy of his roots.

The crew filmed scenes across neighborhoods that helped shape Mamdani’s worldview — beginning in Parkchester, a residential hub in the eastern Bronx known for its Bangladeshi community, and ending at Kabab King, a no-frills, 24-hour diner in Jackson Heights that has long served as a cabby haven.

‘Multi-Talented!!!’: Fans Rave over Mamdani’s Musical Skills

The rediscovery of Mamdani’s “Nani” music video and creative past sent social media into a frenzy, with fans flooding comment sections to express their surprise, admiration, and, in some cases, amusement. “Everything I learn about this man makes me love him more 😂,” one admirer noted, while another echoed a similar sentiment, “I love this so much he is a real person.”

Several others chimed in with celebratory takes, with one fan gushing, “This is so iconic,” and another proclaiming, “He is multi-talented!!!🔥🔥🔥.”

Yet another supporter enthused, “Worldly, multi-cultural, and fun as all hell. Get It Mamdani🔥🙌 [sic],” while someone else reacted, “No way that’s so awesome hahaha.” Still, not every viewer was fully on board. “So embarassing [sic],” one critic wrote flatly, while another declared, “Hilarious😬.”

Still, the overwhelming tone was one of delight and pride, with many embracing Mamdani’s unapologetically creative side as a refreshing reminder of his individuality.

And with the city watching his every move, attention is also turning to the woman behind the man — his wife Duwaji, whose quiet strength and artistic soul are capturing just as much curiosity as her headline-making husband.

Once a freelance illustrator navigating post-college life, Duwaji met Mamdani in 2021 on the dating app Hinge — a modern fairytale beginning that blossomed into a whirlwind romance. They tied the knot at the City Clerk’s office in early 2025.

A Private Muse in the Public Eye

In a profoundly personal Instagram post on May 12, 2025, Mamdani poured his heart out:

“Three months ago, I married the love of my life, Rama, at the City Clerk’s office. Now, right-wing trolls are trying to make this race — which should be about you — about her. Rama isn’t just my wife, she’s an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms.”

Despite becoming a subject of widespread fascination since Mamdani’s campaign took off, Duwaji has been noticeably absent from the limelight. According to The New York Times, she declined all press after the primary election, sharing that the sudden flood of attention was overwhelming.

To her close circle, however, Duwaji is already a beloved icon. Photographer Hasnain Bhatti, 32, didn’t mince words, saying, “She’s our modern day [sic] Princess Diana.”

Her Syrian Roots, Her Art, Her Voice

Born in the United States, Duwaji has frequently discussed the complexity of her Syrian American identity. On a podcast, she revealed, “I was born in the States and lived here till I was nine.” She added that before the war in Syria, she would sometimes deny that part of herself, telling people she was only American.

Professionally, Duwaji has carved a name for herself as a Syrian illustrator and animator whose work digs into themes of sisterhood and community. Working from her Brooklyn studio, she has built an impressive portfolio that spans The New Yorker, The Washington Post, BBC, Apple, Spotify, VICE, and Tate Modern.

She has also lent her expertise to the next generation of creators, teaching illustration and animation workshops with It’s Nice That, a London-based digital media platform and creative publisher, in 2021.

Although most of her work is digital, Duwaji also handcrafts ceramic pieces — a physical outlet for her artistic vision, blending pottery with her love for illustration.

In 2024, Duwaji earned her MFA in Illustration as a Visual Essay from the School of Visual Arts, where her thesis project, “Sahtain!” — Arabic for “bon appétit” — transformed the act of cooking together into a vivid meditation on memory, belonging, and joy.

Riccardo Vecchio, chair of her graduate program, offered high praise for her dedication. “Very focused on her work,” he said, noting her commitment to exploring perspectives underrepresented in Western art.