Balendra Shah, 35, a rapper-turned-politician set to be sworn in as Nepal’s new prime minister, has made his inaugural post-election statement through a rap song urging national unity.
Just hours before taking the oath as a newly elected lawmaker, Shah— popularly known as Balen— released a video on social media and streaming platforms, which quickly garnered tens of thousands of views. In the rap, he emphasized the power of unity and announced that “this time history is being made,” signaling a new chapter for the Himalayan nation.
The youthful politician, known for his sharp appearance and signature dark sunglasses, has become a symbol of youth-led political change in Nepal. His party, Rastriya Swatantra, achieved a landslide victory in the March 5 elections—the first since a deadly youth-led uprising in September 2025 that resulted in at least 77 deaths and toppled the government. The uprising was sparked by a social media ban and longstanding frustrations over economic hardship.
In his rap, Shah declared, “My heart is full of courage, my red blood is boiling; my brothers stand with me, this time we will rise,” and vowed to “run like a leopard,” embodying the spirit of determination.
Following the release of his message, outgoing interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki addressed the nation in a televised broadcast. The 73-year-old former chief justice expressed confidence in the future, emphasizing that the new government, led by youth, aims to combat corruption, promote good governance, create jobs, and foster economic and social development.
Karki also highlighted her commitment to justice, mentioning an ongoing investigation into the crackdown on protesters, which resulted in at least 19 young people killed during the initial protests. She stated that a report on the findings would be made public but provided no further details. Notably, no convictions have been made related to the deaths.
