Rapper to frontrunner: Who is Balen Shah, the Gen Z leader aiming to become Nepal’s prime minister?

Nepal is holding its first general election since a major youth-led uprising forced former prime minister KP Sharma Oli to resign last year. Many young leaders have entered politics after that movement. One of the most talked-about names is Balendra Shah, also known as Balen.

The 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician is now seen as a frontrunner for the post of prime minister. He has strong support from Nepal’s Gen Z voters. Many young people see him as a symbol of change in a country where politics has long been controlled by older leaders.

Shah first became famous as a rapper. Later, he surprised many people by winning the election for mayor of Kathmandu. After serving three years as mayor, he is now aiming for the top job in the country.

From music to politics

Balendra Shah was born in Nepal to a father who practised traditional Ayurvedic medicine and a mother who was a homemaker. From a young age, he loved poetry. This interest slowly turned into a passion for rap music.

He was inspired by American rap artists like Tupac Shakur and 50 Cent. His songs often spoke about corruption, inequality, and problems faced by common people in Nepal.

One of his popular songs, “Balidan,” released in 2019, received millions of views on YouTube. Through his music, he criticised the political system and connected with young listeners. At that time, few people imagined that he would soon enter politics himself.

Shah studied civil engineering in Nepal. Later, he completed a master’s degree in structural engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University in India. By then, he was already well known in Nepal as a rapper.

He entered politics by contesting the Kathmandu mayoral election as an independent candidate. His campaign slogan was “Time for change.” Many young voters supported him, and he won by a large margin.

As mayor of Kathmandu, he focused on clearing roads, managing waste, and taking action against unlicensed businesses. Some rights groups criticised him for being too strict with street vendors. They said the police used heavy-handed methods in some cases. However, many supporters said he was trying to bring order to the capital city.

Unlike many traditional politicians, Shah does not often speak to mainstream media. Instead, he uses social media to connect directly with people. He has millions of followers on Facebook and other platforms. His posts often show him in his trademark dark sunglasses and beard.

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Leading the race for prime minister

After the youth uprising that removed KP Sharma Oli from office, Nepal’s political scene changed quickly. Many young voters demanded new leadership. Five months later, Shah joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).

The RSP is led by Rabi Lamichhane, a former television host who also entered politics recently. The party promises major reforms and says it wants to break the hold of older political elites.

Shah is contesting from the Jhapa 5 constituency. His party has promised to create 1.2 million jobs. It also wants to reduce forced migration. Many Nepalis go abroad for work because of low wages and lack of opportunities at home.

The party says it will try to increase Nepal’s per capita income from $1,447 to $3,000 within five years. It also promises to double the country’s economy to $100 billion in gross domestic product (GDP). Another promise is to introduce universal healthcare insurance.

These promises have attracted young voters who are unhappy with unemployment and slow economic growth. Around 20 percent of Nepal’s population lives in severe poverty. Many people feel that traditional parties have failed to improve their lives.

However, Shah has also faced criticism. A video showed him driving a luxury Land Rover Defender during his campaign. Some people questioned whether this matched his image as a leader for common citizens.

Despite criticism, Shah remains popular among Gen Z voters. His simple messages and direct communication style appeal to young people who want change. He often speaks about honesty, development, and national pride.

Nepal has about 30 million people. In this election, millions of voters are deciding what kind of leadership they want. For many, Shah represents a new generation that is ready to challenge old systems.

If he wins, he would be one of the youngest prime ministers in Nepal’s history. His journey from rapper to mayor and now to prime ministerial candidate has been unusual and fast.

As Nepal votes after a major political change, all eyes are on Balen Shah. Whether he becomes prime minister or not, his rise shows how deeply youth voices are shaping the country’s future.