Mayor Mamdani's inauguration speech was a veritable mashup of cultural references, with nods to hip-hop, New York sports teams, pizza joints, and iconic filmmakers like Martin Scorsese. The mayor's fondness for incorporating popular culture into his policy talk has been on full display since he took office. From referencing Jadakiss, the legendary rapper from the Bronx, to name-checking his favorite uptown pizzeria, Mamdani's love of cultural references is clear.
But it wasn't just music and food that got a mention at the inauguration. Mayor Mamdani also invoked the iconic children's entertainer Ms. Rachel, whose YouTube presence has made her a beloved figure among parents and toddlers alike. Interestingly, the mayor's nod to Ms. Rachel coincided with his announcement of plans for universal childcare for children under two - a clear indication that he values the well-being of families and young children.
In recent days, the mayor has also been name-checking musicians, including indie rock star Lucy Dacus, who spoke at his inauguration on the socialist anthem "Bread and Roses." Mamdani later referenced Dacus in a press conference, highlighting his plans to crack down on so-called "junk fees" charged by ticketing agencies - a move that's likely to delight fans of her music. However, some might find it puzzling when the mayor invoked Taylor Swift as an example of unfair ticket pricing, sparking debate about the relevance of her celebrity status.
Mayor Mamdani has also taken aim at a figure from New York City's history: Robert Moses, the notorious urban planner known for his contentious development projects in the 1950s and '60s. In a recent speech announcing plans to redesign McGuinness Boulevard, Mamdani invoked Moses' famous quote about needing to "hack your way" through overbuilt cities - a move that was met with both applause and boos from the crowd.
As mayor, Zohran Mamdani continues to draw on his rich cultural background to inform his policy decisions. Whether he's referencing hip-hop legends, beloved children's entertainers, or iconic urban planners, it's clear that culture will play an increasingly important role in shaping his agenda for New York City.
But it wasn't just music and food that got a mention at the inauguration. Mayor Mamdani also invoked the iconic children's entertainer Ms. Rachel, whose YouTube presence has made her a beloved figure among parents and toddlers alike. Interestingly, the mayor's nod to Ms. Rachel coincided with his announcement of plans for universal childcare for children under two - a clear indication that he values the well-being of families and young children.
In recent days, the mayor has also been name-checking musicians, including indie rock star Lucy Dacus, who spoke at his inauguration on the socialist anthem "Bread and Roses." Mamdani later referenced Dacus in a press conference, highlighting his plans to crack down on so-called "junk fees" charged by ticketing agencies - a move that's likely to delight fans of her music. However, some might find it puzzling when the mayor invoked Taylor Swift as an example of unfair ticket pricing, sparking debate about the relevance of her celebrity status.
Mayor Mamdani has also taken aim at a figure from New York City's history: Robert Moses, the notorious urban planner known for his contentious development projects in the 1950s and '60s. In a recent speech announcing plans to redesign McGuinness Boulevard, Mamdani invoked Moses' famous quote about needing to "hack your way" through overbuilt cities - a move that was met with both applause and boos from the crowd.
As mayor, Zohran Mamdani continues to draw on his rich cultural background to inform his policy decisions. Whether he's referencing hip-hop legends, beloved children's entertainers, or iconic urban planners, it's clear that culture will play an increasingly important role in shaping his agenda for New York City.
, like we got real issues to tackle and he's over here name-dropping like it's going out of style 
. don't get me wrong, I love a good cultural reference as much as the next person, but when it comes to policy decisions, can't we stick to the facts? 
seems like every time he opens his mouth, there's some celebrity or cartoon character involved... what about actual problems we're facing? 
, then I'm all for it 
. just wish he'd explain how these things fit into his overall plan 
what's with the taylor swift thing tho? and what's up with invoking ms rachel? i mean, isn't she just some kids' entertainer? 
. like, sure, it's dope that he's referencing Jadakiss and Lucy Dacus, but is it really necessary to throw in Ms. Rachel for universal childcare? 
on the other hand, I do love how he's taking aim at Robert Moses - it's about time we acknowledged our city's complicated history 
. and tbh, who doesn't love a good Taylor Swift analogy for ticketing fees? 
Mamdani's got a PhD in trying too hard to be relatable and endearing to the masses. Like, come on, Taylor Swift? Really? 
! Mamdani's nods to Jadakiss, Ms. Rachel, Lucy Dacus, and even Taylor Swift are all about connecting with the people and showcasing his values 
. It's great that he's tackling issues like universal childcare and cracking down on junk fees - those are real problems that need solutions 
. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good cultural reference every now and then? 
!
It's definitely a polarizing approach, and it'll be interesting to see how it plays out over time.
On the other hand, the fact that he's using these references to talk about actual policy issues is pretty smart. Like, who wouldn't want universal childcare for under-tweens? 
It'll be interesting to watch how this all plays out and whether it's just a marketing gimmick or something more meaningful.
but omg taylor swift tho 
and being real about the citys history 
especially when it comes to robert moses lol what a legend (or villain?) 
. On one hand, it's dope to see him name-dropping hip-hop legends and indie rock stars like Lucy Dacus – it shows he's down with the vibe 
. But on the other hand, some of these references feel kinda superficial 
.
. That's a solid move to support families with young kids. And who knows? Maybe his love of hip-hop will help him connect with the city's under-40 crowd 
. One thing's for sure, though: as mayor, he's got some bold ideas that are definitely worth watching 
! like, who knew he was a fan of ms rachel? 
. However, some might find it a bit jarring when he throws in references to Taylor Swift or Robert Moses - it feels like he's trying too hard to be relatable 
. It'll be interesting to see how this approach plays out in the coming years