Cardi B teams up with NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani to launch a 30-second jingle contest promoting free childcare under the city’s new 2-K program.
Cardi B has teamed up with Zohran Mamdani to launch a jingle contest for a free childcare program in New York City. The initiative aims to promote the city’s 2-K program.
On Friday (April 3), Mayor Mamdani and Cardi B announced a citywide contest inviting people to submit an original 30-second jingle. Cardi B will help select the finalists, after which New Yorkers will vote to choose the winner.
In a video released with the announcement, Mamdani and Cardi B are seen together. During their meeting, Cardi reacts with surprise, saying, “Can you believe that?! We have a 34-year-old mayor! I feel like I’m a kid, and you’re, like, running New York!”
In the video, Mamdani asks Cardi B for her thoughts on free childcare. She responds, “I feel like free childcare is very important. Sometimes us women, we can’t really move forward because we don’t have anybody to help us take care of our kids.”
Mamdani then explains the 2-K program. He says that universal 2-K will launch this fall, similar to pre-K and 3-K, but designed for 2-year-olds. The program will offer 2,000 free seats, including locations in the Bronx. He also noted that enrollment will begin in June.
Mamdani asked Cardi B to help judge the jingle contest, and she enthusiastically agreed. She added, “The mayor’s going to help you! And I’m gonna judge, and he’s going to give because he’s the one with the funds!”
In a statement, Mamdani referenced Cardi B’s song Bodak Yellow, saying, “As Cardi B says: ‘I can get ’em both. I don’t wanna choose.’ With universal child care, New Yorkers won’t have to choose. For too long, families have been forced to choose between unaffordable care and staying in the city they love. Now, they can have both—free care and the ability to remain in their city.”
Submissions for the jingle contest can be made through New York City’s website. Entries must be submitted by April 17. The winning jingle will become the official theme for the program and will be played on the radio. Participants are encouraged to share their songs online using the hashtag #NYC2KJingle and tag @nycmayor.
Mamdani first announced the 2-K program in the second week of his mayoral term. The initiative is designed to provide free childcare for families with 2-year-olds, regardless of financial or immigration status. This fall, the first 2,000 seats will roll out across four areas: Fordham (Bronx), Washington Heights (Manhattan), Southeast Queens, and Canarsie (Brooklyn). Enrollment will open on June 2 and close on June 26.
Cardi B has spoken about politics for years and has supported the Democratic Party. She has also shown support for her home city in different ways. In September, she recorded a series of subway safety and etiquette PSAs for the MTA.
As a mother, Cardi B understands how challenging it can be to raise young children. Two of her kids have gone through the “terrible 2s.” She shares 7-year-old Kulture, 4-year-old Wave, and 1-year-old Blossom with her estranged husband Offset. She is also the mother of a 4-month-old son with her ex, Stefon Diggs.
Do you think free childcare programs like this can truly help families? Share your thoughts in the comments!
