New York City rapper Cardi B has teamed up with New York City Mayor Zahran Mamdani to launch a citywide song contest aimed at promoting the city’s new free childcare program for 2-year-olds.The contest invites city residents to create and submit original 15- or 30-second jingles to encourage families to apply for the program. Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges, including Cardi B, with New Yorkers voting on the final winner. The winning song will become the official theme of the child care program and will be played on local radio.Applications for the child care program, known as 2-K, will open on June 2, 2026 and close on June 26, 2026.
First renderings for the venues will be released in August. Families will be able to apply for free child care seats in several school districts across the city.
The song contest is part of the city’s effort to build awareness and momentum for the child care program ahead of the application period. Mamdani said the competition aims to get families involved and excited about the opportunities the program will provide.
Cardi B grew up in New York and is also a parent. You will help judge submissions with other community members. Her participation reflects her support for family and childcare issues.The 2-K program is part of a broader city plan to provide free and accessible child care for 2-year-olds, regardless of family income or immigration status. It will launch this fall with 2,000 free spots and will expand over the next four years to provide universal access for families in all neighborhoods.Officials hope the program will help ease the financial burden on families struggling with the costs of child care and early childhood development support in New York City. Free childcare for this age group aims to give children a strong start, while also allowing parents to work without worrying about high childcare fees.To enter the song contest, New Yorkers can submit their audio clips through the city’s official website by April 17, 2026.