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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has enlisted Cardi B to help him find the perfect jingle to encourage citizens to apply for his new program that will assist those in need of free childcare.
On Friday, April 3, Mayor Mamdani's office announced a special contest for a catchy tune that will serve as the theme song for his new 2-K Program. The mayor is accepting 15 to 30-second submissions from those who think they can make a track that will entice New Yorkers to apply. Cardi will help select a group of finalists before the people vote on the best song.
“I feel like free childcare is very important,” Cardi tells Mayor Mamdani in their video announcement. “Sometimes us women we can’t really go forward because we don’t have nobody to help us take care of our kids.”
“This fall we’re starting to deliver universal 2-K, which is just like pre-K, just like 3-K, but 2-K for 2-year-olds," Mayor Mamdani says. "Free childcare, 2,000 seats in the fall, and there’s gonna be seats in the Bronx starting it up. Enrollment actually starts in June, and we had a question for you: We’re going to have a competition to create a jingle, so New Yorkers are going to submit their best jingle, and we wanted to know if you would help judge that competition!”
“The mayor’s going to help you!" Cardi adds. "And I’m gonna judge, and he’s going to give because he’s the one with the funds!”
Mamdani's initiative, which he first revealed on the campaign trail last year, will provide free childcare for families in New York City with 2-year-olds at home, regardless of financial or immigration status. The program is set to begin this fall with 2,000 seats available to families in districts including Fordham (Bronx), Washington Heights (Manhattan), Southeast Queens and Canarsie (Brooklyn). The enrollment begins June 2 and ends June 26.
The winning jingle will become the official theme song of the 2-K Program and will play on the radio. Submissions will be accepted until April 17. If you're interested in entering the jingle contest, click here.