Who is Zohran Mamdani and why does he stand out among opponents?
24 june 2025 в 19:13
In the decisive race for the mayor of New York City, residents of the city are increasingly paying attention to Zohran Mamdani, who has risen in the polls and become popular nationwide. A Democrat from Astoria, New York, he has received support from several local celebrities and presented a different tradition of politics before the start of the primary elections in mid-June 2025. So who is Zohran, and what sets him apart from opponents fighting against current mayor Eric Adams?
Hollywood Life has gathered five facts about Zohran below.
Born in Uganda and partially raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Zohran’s family moved to New York when he was 7 years old.
Before entering politics, Zohran worked as a consultant on foreclosure prevention and housing issues in Queens, New York, to help low-income families and homeowners of color facing eviction.
Alongside his political and public work in New York, Zohran also pursued another passion: rap music! Under various pseudonyms, he composed and produced hip-hop songs. In 2016, he performed under the name «Young Cardamom» and collaborated with Ugandan rapper HAB on an EP. Three years later, Zohran released a single titled «Nani» under the pseudonym «Mr. Cardamom».
In early 2025, Zohran married Rama Duwadji, a Syrian artist.
As he and another mayoral candidate, Brad Lander, the New York City Comptroller, are staunchly opposed to former governor Andrew Cuomo, Zohran supported Brad, and vice versa. Both candidates stated on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in June 2025 that they believe in a more civilized future of politics and support each other in their joint efforts to defeat Andrew and Eric.
In the days leading up to the primary elections, Andrew and Zohran accused each other in separate interviews. The former governor accused Zohran of considering the mayor’s position as a «courier job» and «public relations», - according to AMNY. While Zohran accused Andrew of «weaponizing this very real crisis and using billionaire money to stoke hatred».
«He and other candidates have used words to describe me as a monster, which is dangerous, as if standing at the gates, a language more fitting for a beast than a human», - Zohran said about Andrew
Hollywood Life has gathered five facts about Zohran below.
Born in Uganda and partially raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Zohran’s family moved to New York when he was 7 years old.
Before entering politics, Zohran worked as a consultant on foreclosure prevention and housing issues in Queens, New York, to help low-income families and homeowners of color facing eviction.
Alongside his political and public work in New York, Zohran also pursued another passion: rap music! Under various pseudonyms, he composed and produced hip-hop songs. In 2016, he performed under the name «Young Cardamom» and collaborated with Ugandan rapper HAB on an EP. Three years later, Zohran released a single titled «Nani» under the pseudonym «Mr. Cardamom».
In early 2025, Zohran married Rama Duwadji, a Syrian artist.
As he and another mayoral candidate, Brad Lander, the New York City Comptroller, are staunchly opposed to former governor Andrew Cuomo, Zohran supported Brad, and vice versa. Both candidates stated on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in June 2025 that they believe in a more civilized future of politics and support each other in their joint efforts to defeat Andrew and Eric.
In the days leading up to the primary elections, Andrew and Zohran accused each other in separate interviews. The former governor accused Zohran of considering the mayor’s position as a «courier job» and «public relations», - according to AMNY. While Zohran accused Andrew of «weaponizing this very real crisis and using billionaire money to stoke hatred».
«He and other candidates have used words to describe me as a monster, which is dangerous, as if standing at the gates, a language more fitting for a beast than a human», - Zohran said about Andrew
© Puhova Marina
