As he gears up to take office on January 1st, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has made waves by picking a rapper with a criminal past to join his City Hall transition team. This decision comes in light of his recent victory in November, campaigning with progressive ideals.
The announcement of Mamdani’s selection of Mysonne Linen , 49, was shared via an Instagram post from Until Freedom, a social-justice group based in New York City, where Linen is a prominent figure.
The group expressed their pride in having leaders from Until Freedom placed on Mamdani’s transition team, indicating they would contribute to the committees overseeing public safety and criminal justice. According to the post, this initiative works towards ensuring a better future for Black and Brown communities, pointing to their dedication towards gun violence prevention and legal reforms.
Linen has gained recognition as a community activist, often sharing posts that align with anti-violence efforts while strengthening his ties with Until Freedom. Despite his current role, his background is far from spotless; reports show that he was convicted of two felony robberies back in the late ’90s.
In particular, a jury found Linen guilty in 1999 for his involvement in taking advantage of taxi drivers—first attacking one with a beer bottle and later robbing another at gunpoint. Witnesses from both incidents identified him in court.
Linen’s defense claimed that his rising music career, with ties to artists like Lil’ Kim and Mase, gave him no motive to commit such crimes. He eventually ended up serving seven years in prison despite facing a maximum sentence of 25 years, insisting he was innocent of the charges against him.
The offshoot of his previous criminal activities has led to mixed reactions regarding his current position. Following his appointment to Mamdani’s public safety committees, the group Jews Fight Back criticized the mayor-elect on social media, dubbing the choice “insane.”
Amidst this uproar, Linen has reiterated his commitment to foster change, stating, “We are building something different,” a phrase he’s shared in speeches targeting crisis intervention.
Until further updates, Fox News Digital has attempted to reach Linen, the organization Until Freedom, while also seeking commentary from Zohran Mamdani’s office.
Source for original article:Mamdani appoints convicted armed robber to public safety transition team
