Who is Shamoon Ismail, as Zohran Mamdani names him his favourite singer?

WEB DESK: Social media users praised New York mayor Zohran Mamdani after he named Pakistani rapper Shamoon Ismail as his favourite singer.

The moment that drew widespread attention, particularly on Instagram, came during an interview when the Democratic mayor gave a heartfelt response about his music preferences.

Mamdani said he had been listening to Shamoon Ismail for several years and still regularly enjoys some of the rapper’s songs.

Following the clip, social media users flooded the comments section, appreciating Mamdani for favouring a Pakistani artist.

Many described his choice as “elite” and “unexpected,” while others praised his appreciation for Pakistani music and culture.

Several fans also expressed pride that Shamoon Ismail’s music had reached an international political figure.

The interview quickly gained traction online, with users from Pakistan and abroad sharing the clip and celebrating the recognition of the singer.

Pakistani rapper and singer Shamoon Ismail has found himself in the spotlight after New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani revealed that he is among his favourite artists, introducing the musician to a wider global audience.

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Who is Shamoon Ismail?

Pakistani singer Shamoon Ismail was born in September 1999 and raised in Islamabad, belonging to a Punjabi Muslim family. He developed his passion for music at a time when he was a young.

The 34-year-old singer learned to play multiple instruments and has said the guitar and bass are his favourites, while he also enjoys playing the drums.

Shamoon began his music career by independently releasing songs on Bandcamp and SoundCloud, where he gradually built a loyal fan base.

He has since become a familiar name on Pakistan’s live music scene, performing at university campuses and major festivals including Music Mela and Lahore Music Meet.

He released his debut single, “Sapne,” in 2013, while his first music video, “Tuntuna,” gained popularity among audiences in Pakistan and India, helping establish his distinctive blend of hip-hop, indie and alternative music.

Any singers which Shamoon may have sung with?

Over the years, Shamoon has collaborated with several prominent artists, including Talha Anjum, Talhah Yunus, Young Stunners, Asim Azhar, Talal Qureshi, Abdullah Qureshi, Haider Mustehsan, Annural Khalid, Raamis, Mooroo and Ghauri.

In 2018, Shamoon also made headlines after Pakistani singer Bilal Khan faced allegations of plagiarising his song “Taare,” further drawing attention to his growing influence in Pakistan’s independent music industry.