New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani continues to earn small amounts from his former career as a multilingual rapper, according to recent tax filings.

The 34-year-old Democrat, who previously performed under the names Young Cardamom and Mr Cardamom, earned $1,643 in music royalties last year, slightly higher than $1,267 in 2024, the filings show.

Mamdani joked on Thursday that New Yorkers should “go to Spotify” if they want to support his music, adding, “A lot of people say they’re listening. They’re not listening.”

He began rapping while still in high school and released socially conscious tracks in his 20s on topics including colonialism and Indian flatbread.

He has described himself as a “C-list rapper” inspired by indie hip-hop group Das Racist.

According to the filings shared with reporters, Mamdani’s main income in 2025 came from his $131,296 salary as a state Assembly member.

His wife earned $10,010 from graphic design work, bringing their total joint income to about $145,000.

As mayor, Mamdani is expected to receive a salary of $258,750 this year.

The filings also note that he is not the first New York mayor to receive entertainment-related royalties.

Former mayor Michael Bloomberg reported earning between $2,000 and $10,000 in residuals from television and film appearances, including Law & Order, A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa, and The Adjustment Bureau.