He’s not in a “New York State of Mind.”
Zohran Mamdani didn’t recognize Billy Joel’s beloved 1976 rock tribute to the Big Apple during a quiz about famous New York City tunes.
The 33-year-old mayoral race front-runner was asked by Jack Coyne of the Track Star podcast to listen to songs by legendary New York musicians — from Frank Sinatra to Beastie Boys— and identify them during a playful segment posted on Instagram Thursday.
Mamdani correctly named hits by Jay-Z, The Strokes, Mobb Deep and others — but when the opening piano number in Billy Joel’s hit “New York State of Mind” began, he looked stumped.
“You know, as a politician, I think it’s important to be honest…” Mamdani said, explaining he doesn’t recognize the song.
“Plays the piano? He’s from Long Island?” Coyne tries to hint, to no avail.
“That’s not on your go-to playlist?” Coyne asks.
“Gotta be honest, no,” Mamdani responds.
During the segment, Mamdani, who has made hip hop music under the rap name Mr. Cardamom, also correctly identified a song by himself titled “#1 Spice”
“I’m still holding out hope there is a comeback,” Coyne says of Mamdani’s musical career.
“You’re gonna be holding for a while,” Mamdani replies.
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