Pakistani rapper Shamoon Ismail responded with genuine surprise and gratitude after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani revealed that he has been a fan of his music for years.
The revelation came during Mamdani’s interview with an international publication where he was asked what he has been listening to lately. Mamdani, who once performed under the name Young Cardamom, offered up an eclectic mix of artists.
“Right now, I’ve been listening to a lot of Radio & Weasel, who are a duo from Uganda who were running the charts for a long, long time,” Mamdani said. “I’ve also been listening to a Pakistani rapper named Shamoon Ismail, who I’ve listened to for a few years. If I’m feeling reflective, throw on some Kacey Musgraves.”
Ismail responded to the mention with a message that reflected both surprise and appreciation.
“I had no idea that he has been listening to my music for years. Honoured to be the soundtrack of his life. All I can say is that real recognises real. Much love,” he wrote.
Mamdani’s musical taste has often mirrored his own background. Born to a Ugandan father and an Indian mother and raised in New York, he has spoken about how his choice of artists reflects his connection to the communities he represents, including the South Asian diaspora.
This is not the first time he has nodded to music from the Subcontinent either. After his victory speech, he walked off stage to “Dhoom Machale” playing in the background, a moment fans have not forgotten.
Mamdani has previously named Taylor Swift, Jay Z and Kim Petras among the artists he enjoys, alongside Indian-American rapper Himanshu Suri, known as Heems, whom he has credited as the reason he entered politics.
For Ismail, the endorsement lands at a good time. His recent releases, including “Used to it,” “Alone Together” and “VOLUME,” have continued to draw strong streaming numbers.
The singer had largely stepped back from the spotlight in recent months, a period that reportedly included getting engaged or married.
He resurfaced on New Year’s Eve with a handwritten letter to fans describing the time away as a “transition.”
