A clip from NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s 2019 rap video “Nani” recently resurfaced during a live CNN interview, drawing renewed attention to his earlier creative career.
Instead of remaining an isolated viral moment, the clip has contributed to a growing list of public figures who transitioned from artistic expression into political life.
Before his time in the New York State Assembly, Mamdani was part of the duo “Young Cardamom & HAB.” Their song Nani named after the Urdu word for grandmother was a lighthearted tribute to immigrant grandmothers, featuring themes of family, cultural pride, and domestic life.
The video, featuring Mamdani rapping in a kitchen apron and actress Madhur Jaffrey cooking on screen, blended humor with a nod to South Asian traditions.
Originally released in 2019, the video attracted modest attention online. This week, it became part of a viral moment during a national television interview when CNN host Erin Burnett aired the clip unexpectedly.
Mamdani is not the first public figure to transition from the arts into politics. From musicians to athletes, candidates with creative pasts often see old material resurface during campaigns.
While Mamdani has not formally commented on the segment, he acknowledged it with a brief, amused remark, “I didn’t think it was going to be on CNN.”
The resurfaced clip remains one of the most widely circulated moments of his mayoral campaign so far.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ