New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani earned $1,643 in music royalties last year from his former rap career under the stage names Young Cardamom and Mr Cardamom — a modest increase from $1,267 in 2024, according to tax filings the Guardian reviewed. The story is well-sourced and has been independently corroborated by NBC New York and AP reporting. The Guardian's framing is lighthearted but fair; it notes that Mamdani's own self-deprecating humor about his 'C-list rapper' status is reflected in the reporting, and provides real context by comparing his total household income ($145,000 in 2025 as an assembly member) against his new mayoral salary ($258,750). The article briefly contextualizes that entertainment income among NYC mayors is not unprecedented, citing Michael Bloomberg's prior residual earnings from TV appearances and film roles.