The swearing-in ceremony of New York City's new mayor on January 1 witnessed an unexpected viral moment, courtesy of a Punjabi singer from Canada. Toronto-based artist Babbu Beard, popularly known as Babbulicious, performed his hit song 'Gaddi Red Challenger' at the historic inauguration of Zohran Kwame Mamdani, setting social media ablaze and triggering a global conversation about representation and culture.
From Brampton Beats to New York City Hall
The performance, a vibrant mix of Punjabi and English lyrics set to a bhangra-flavoured beat, became the centrepiece of the outdoor ceremony. Videos capturing Mayor Mamdani, 34, and his wife Rama Duwaji joyfully moving to the music quickly circulated across platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). Babbu Beard, whose real name is Babbu Singh, is a prominent figure in the Punjabi-Canadian music scene, particularly from the Brampton-Toronto corridor. He gained fame in the early 2020s through humorous short-form videos and remixes on TikTok and Instagram.
His song 'Gaddi Red Challenger', which playfully comments on diaspora stereotypes like flashy cars and loud cultural pride, resonated with the diverse crowd gathered outside City Hall. Lyrics referencing New York and the confidence of desi youth drew loud cheers, marking a unique fusion of South Asian pop culture with a formal American civic event.
A Historic Mayor and a Cultural Statement
The performance held deeper significance given the background of the new mayor. Zohran Kwame Mamdani made history as New York's first Muslim and South Asian mayor. A former state Assemblyman and a Democratic Socialist, Mamdani has consistently highlighted his South Asian roots. His mother, filmmaker Mira Nair, is of Indian origin, and his campaign actively engaged immigrant communities through Hindi-language videos and cultural references.
Following the event, Babbu Beard posted photographs with the mayor on social media, thanking him for the invitation. The post garnered thousands of likes and reposts within hours, significantly boosting the artist's online profile and music streams.
Polarized Reactions and a Spotlight on Identity
The viral moment met with sharply divided reactions online. Many from South Asian and diaspora communities celebrated it as a powerful symbol of representation on one of the world's most prominent stages. Clips of the mayor dancing were shared with messages applauding New York's multicultural identity.
However, significant criticism emerged from conservative and far-right social media accounts. Some objected to a non-English song at an official civic event, while others mistakenly labelled Babbu Beard as an Afghan national, revealing a lack of awareness about Sikh and Punjabi identities. This prompted counter-criticism from users who decried the inflammatory language and stereotypes.
The singer himself addressed the backlash with humour, posting light-hearted replies and continuing to share clips from his performance. Ultimately, the controversy translated into a massive surge in his followers and music plays, with 'Gaddi Red Challenger' re-entering popular playlists and charts. The images from City Hall have cemented this moment as a notable intersection of politics, diaspora culture, and global digital discourse.
