Just about four months after being sworn in as New Orleans mayor in 2018, LaToya Cantrell presented Jay-Z and Beyoncé with a key to the city, recognizing the pair for their “collective humanitarian work.”
- The key was likely the first in more than 60 such honors she’d bestow over her two terms.
Why it matters: The list of people and organizations upon whom Cantrell has bestowed a key to the city offers one reflection of the mayor’s priorities as she prepares to leave office.
The big picture: Offering keys to a city is a longstanding civic tradition with medieval origins, according to Brown University.
- In New Orleans, the tradition is even part of Carnival routine when the current mayor offers symbolic control of the city up to Rex every year on Mardi Gras.
Between the lines: Cantrell’s communications team didn’t respond to a request for comment on her key-giving strategy, so we can only divine her priorities by analyzing who actually received them.
- But the keys did seem to be a priority.
- In one notable instance, Cantrell offered one to former LSU and Saints star Tyrann Mathieu. She delivered it within her private offices on Aug. 21. It was Cantrell’s first public move after she was federally indicted just six days earlier.
Zoom in: Axios New Orleans obtained through a records request a list of Cantrell’s key recipients from the beginning of her tenure as mayor eight years ago through the end of 2025. The list includes brief descriptions for why each honoree was selected.
- Most went to individuals she recognized for their cultural contributions (Taylor Swift, Anthony Mackie, Ava Duvernay), business (Ron Forman, Henry L. Coaxum Jr., Paul Flower) and civil service (Ron Spooner, former Gov. John Bel Edwards and Sunni LeBeouf).
- Strengthening international relationships was a late priority, with the final nine keys she doled out in 2025 going to diplomats.
- The rest went to a mix of athletes, religious leaders and activists.
Yes, but: The provided list is incomplete.
- Jazz Fest founder George Wein received one in 2019, for example, but his name isn’t included.
- King Felipe VI of Spain also received one in 2018, and he also does not appear on the list.
State of play: Most of Cantrell’s recorded keys — about two-thirds — went to men…