The inauguration of Zohran Mamdani, 34, at New York City Hall was a star-studded affair that blended traditional political ceremony with the diverse cultural fabric of the city. While the event featured classic anthems, it was the high-energy finale by Toronto-based Punjabi artist Babbulicious that dominated headlines the following morning.
Mamdani, born to celebrated filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani, has frequently leaned into his “Desi” roots, famously using the Bollywood hit Dhoom Machale as his victory anthem in November.
The Musical Lineup
The ceremony curated a playlist that reflected Mamdani’s progressive platform and multicultural background:
- dj mOma: Provided the atmospheric welcome music.
- Lucy Dacus: The Grammy winner performed the labor anthem “Bread and Roses.”
- Mandy Patinkin & PS22 Chorus: Delivered a moving rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
- The Grand Finale: Babbulicious closed the event with his hit “Gaddi Red Challenger.” Footage of Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, dancing alongside hundreds of supporters quickly went viral.
Social Media Backlash and Misidentification
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the performance drew sharp criticism from conservative commentators and sparked a debate on the “American identity” of public ceremonies.
- “Islamic Takeover” Claims: Some users on X (formerly Twitter) labeled the non-English performance as evidence of an “Islamic takeover,” with one viral post incorrectly identifying the performers on stage as “Muslim men that look like they’re in Afghanistan.”
- The Correction: Thousands of users were quick to point out the factual errors in the hate speech. Babbulicious is a Sikh artist singing in Punjabi, a language spoken by over 125 million people globally.
- Political Response: Republican Josh Barnett predicted a “major backlash” from New Yorkers, questioning if the city was prepared for such a departure from traditional inaugural music.
The Changing Face of New York Leadership
Mamdani’s win represents a seismic shift in NYC politics. According to recent census and demographic data:
- Muslim Population: There are approximately 768,000 to 1,000,000 Muslims living in the NYC metropolitan area, accounting for roughly 9% of the city’s population.
- South Asian Representation: The South Asian community is one of the fastest-growing demographics in the city, with over 700,000 residents identifying as Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, or Indo-Caribbean.
Mamdani’s campaign was noted for its multilingual outreach, including campaign materials in Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, and Arabic, aimed at mobilizing these significant but often overlooked voting blocs.