The sight of the candidate having fun with himself rapidly drew consideration, not solely due to the track alternative but additionally due to Mamdani’s well-documented admiration for Kendrick Lamar. Earlier this 12 months, he shared his ideas on the rapper’s feud with Drake, saying Kendrick “absolutely destroyed” his opponent. He additionally drew a connection between Lamar’s focus through the beef and his personal marketing campaign technique. “At every juncture, he would bring it back to his central points, and I think that’s the key, is that you keep coming back to what your core message is,” Mamdani defined. “For me, it’s about the fact that New Yorkers can’t afford to live in the city they call home.”

Mamdani kicked off election week by taking to the streets with a crowd of supporters holding a banner that learn “Our time is now.” As his marketing campaign good points traction, latest polls present him main his opponents Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa heading into Election Day on November 4.

While the viral video has sparked combined reactions, many see it as one other instance of Mamdani’s authenticity and relatability. For his youthful supporters, it’s a reminder that he understands their tradition. For others, it’s proof that his marketing campaign is grounded in connecting with New Yorkers the place they’re, each politically and socially.