Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin is not your typical politician. The 36-year-old lawyer won an unexpected upset over incumbent Mayor William Bell by invigorating a grassroots network of young voters with a progressive pitch that echoed Bernie Sanders’ 2016 campaign.

At his inauguration celebration, a DJ played funk and R&B while admirers lined up for a photo with their new mayor. He was mobbed on his way out, like a rockstar departing a club. During his campaign, some Woodfin supporters dubbed him “Mayor Bae.”

But now that “Mayor Bae” is in office — he has to deliver on his promises to revolutionize the way city government works, and bring a fresh perspective to some of the city’s oldest problems. VICE News was with him on his first full day in office.