Luigi Mangione, a 27-year-old inmate at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, has found solace in music during his incarceration. In a letter addressed to supporters, he revealed that he has been listening to songs by Taylor Swift and Charli XCX, as well as the rapper Lil Durk on the recommendation of a fellow inmate. The letter, which was shared with PEOPLE, contains details about his musical explorations and personal reflections while serving time.
On the occasion of his 27th birthday, Mangione reached out to friends and pen pals, expressing gratitude for various aspects of his life. The letter, composed in a mix of typed text and handwritten notes, lists 27 things he appreciates. It was later shared on social media by the account “The Mangione Trial,” which also provided images of the letter and the stamped envelope it arrived in to verify its authenticity.
Mangione’s newfound interest in music appears to be a response to a “phony list” of his favorite songs that circulated online after his arrest. He noted that he had “downloaded a bunch of Taylor Swift and Charli XCX” onto his tablet, admitting that he had “never really listened to either of them” before. His curiosity was sparked not just by the music itself, but also by the social media buzz surrounding it.
During his time in the facility, Mangione listened to “Cardigan”, a track from Swift’s 2020 album *Folklore*. However, his listening session was interrupted by an inmate known as “King,” who critiqued his choice of music and replaced it with Lil Durk’s work. Mangione humorously remarked that he now “listens to Lil Durk” instead.
Inmates at the MDC have the option to purchase MP3 players through the commissary. These devices allow them to download songs from a catalog accessible via the Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System (TRULINCS). Mangione, in his letter, initially included “Cardigan” among the things he was thankful for but later crossed it off in favor of a song by Lil Durk titled “Dis Ain’t What You Want.”
As he navigates life in prison, Mangione has earned the nickname “ambassador” among fellow inmates for his role in helping new arrivals acclimate to the facility. He is currently facing federal charges, stemming from his arrest on December 9, 2024, at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania. This occurred just days after the killing of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, outside a Manhattan hotel. Following his arrest, Mangione was extradited to New York City and has remained in custody since, awaiting both federal and state trials.
He is scheduled to appear in court again on December 1, 2024, for a pretrial hearing related to his state case. As Mangione continues to share his experiences through letters, his musical tastes reflect a personal journey that resonates even within the confines of prison life.
