Zohran Mamdani, who has been in the spotlight as a New York City mayoral hopeful, has stirred controversy with his actions on the Fourth of July over the years. Known for his love of rap music, Mamdani consistently shared a photo from a rap group infamous for lyrics glorifying terrorism. This group, The Diplomats, or Dipset, has made waves with songs that reference the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, even praising a 9/11 hijacker.
Mamdani’s fascination with this group is evident, having tweeted the photo multiple times on Independence Day. His posts in 2021, 2023, and 2024 included this controversial image, but in 2025, after becoming the Democratic nominee, he switched to a more traditional barbecue photo. It seems the political spotlight might have encouraged him to tone down his previous bold statements.
The Diplomats have always been no strangers to controversy. Their 2003 album includes references to being the “Dipset Taliban” and “Harlem’s Al-Qaeda.” One member, Juelz Santana, even compared himself to Osama bin Laden and praised Mohamed Atta, the 9/11 ringleader, in their lyrics.
Mamdani’s own rap attempts also raised eyebrows, particularly his verses that praised the Holy Land Five, known for supporting Hamas. These lyrics align with some of the sentiments expressed by Dipset. Despite requests for comments, Mamdani’s campaign has remained silent on the matter.
His journey to political fame has been supported by Palestinian-American activist Linda Sarsour, a figure often associated with controversy due to her views on Israel. Mamdani, who identifies as a socialist, has not shied away from expressing Communist ideologies. This background adds another layer to his controversial public persona.
The tragic events of September 11, 2001, resulted in the loss of nearly 3,000 lives. The attack was orchestrated by Al-Qaeda, with Mohamed Atta at the helm, and the Taliban provided them sanctuary in Afghanistan. In 2021, the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan following a chaotic U.S. withdrawal.
The Dipset photo Mamdani posted was from the “Dipset Anthem” music video, a song from their 2003 album, Diplomatic Immunity. The group comprised members like Cam’ron, Juelz Santana, Jim Jones, and Freekey Zekey. An original song lyric praised Mohamed Atta, but backlash led to a change.
Santana defended the initial lyrics in a 2002 interview, where he suggested that the U.S. bore responsibility for the 9/11 attacks. He stated, “Not that I support him or what he did, but in order for him to do that, it had to take courage and love for what he believed in.” This defense did little to quell the controversy.
He further clarified, saying, “I never said I worshiped him, I said I worshiped his courage.” Santana argued his lyrics were misunderstood and that they were about courage, not support for the attacks. His statements continued to spark debate.
Comparing himself to Eminem, Santana stated he should have the freedom to express his views through music. He argued, “It’s not like I’m coming out speaking out all the time about the Taliban.” His stance on artistic expression versus the impact of his words remains a point of contention.
Santana also questioned the root causes of the September 11 attacks. He suggested, “If that had never happened, I would have never been able to sing that.” His comments implied that U.S. actions overseas might have precipitated the tragic events.
In his 2003 album, From Me to U, Santana released a song titled “Okay, Okay,” where he once again drew parallels to Mohamed Atta. The lyrics allude to surviving 9/11 and maintaining a gangster persona. These references continue to fuel the controversy surrounding his work.
The uncut version of “Okay, Okay” is available on YouTube, where Santana further elaborates on his comparison to Atta. His words have drawn criticism and sparked conversations about the boundaries of artistic expression. Whether or not one agrees, the impact of these lyrics is undeniable.
In a 2022 interview with VladTV, Santana stood by his previous statements, indicating no regrets. He acknowledged, “And shit, I wish somebody—not to do that specific thing…” Despite the backlash, he seemed to remain unapologetic.
