NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Highlights Pakistani Rapper Shamoon Ismail in Music Picks

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani told a foreign outlet that he is currently listening to Pakistani rapper Shamoon Ismail, alongside Ugandan duo Radio & Weasel and American singer‑songwriter Kacey Musgraves. Mamdani said the mix reflects his multicultural upbringing – born to a Ugandan father and an Indian mother and raised in New York.

He previously attracted attention by exiting his victory speech to the Bollywood anthem “Dhoom Machale” and has cited influences such as Taylor Swift, Jay‑Z, Kim Petras and Indian‑American rapper Heems. Ismail, one of Pakistan’s most popular independent artists, has recent releases like “Used to It,” “Alone Together” and “VOLUME” that have garnered substantial streaming numbers.