Zohran Mamdani’s music taste puts Shamoon Ismail back in the spotlight

WEB DESK: New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has won over Pakistani music fans after naming rapper and singer Shamoon Ismail among his favourite artists.

The revelation came during an interview in which Mamdani spoke warmly about his music preferences, saying he had listened to Ismail for years and continued to return to several of his tracks.

The clip quickly caught attention on social media, particularly Instagram, where users celebrated the unexpected nod to Pakistani music. Comments poured in describing Mamdani’s choice as “elite”, “unexpected” and a sign of genuinely good taste. Mamdani himself has sung rap songs which surfaced when he was running to become NYC mayor last year.

For many fans, the moment carried more than novelty. They expressed pride at seeing a Pakistani artist recognised by a major international political figure, while others praised Mamdani for displaying an appreciation of South Asian music beyond the usual mainstream names.

The interview was widely reshared by users in Pakistan and abroad, pushing Shamoon Ismail back into the spotlight and introducing his work to a broader audience.

Known for blending Punjabi, Urdu and English with elements of hip-hop, R&B and electronic music, Ismail has built a devoted following through his distinctive sound. Mamdani’s endorsement has now given that following an unexpected boost from New York City Hall.

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Who is Shamoon Ismail?

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.

Shamoon’s collaborations with other artists

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.