In the vibrant streets of Jhapa, Nepal, a musical revolution is brewing. Rappers, once voices of the underground, are now rallying behind 35-year-old Balen Shah, a former rapper turned politician eyeing the Prime Minister’s chair. As national elections loom on March 5, these artists are leveraging their beats to fuel political awakening among the youth.
Last year, Nepal’s Gen Z protests against the government’s social media ban shook the nation. Led by then-PM KP Sharma Oli, the crackdown sparked outrage, with rappers like Balen Shah taking center stage. Their powerful lyrics galvanized crowds, turning streets into stages of defiance against suppressed voices.
Balen, now with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), is contesting from Jhapa-5, a stronghold of former PMs. Supporters flock not just from party ranks but from a broader youth movement idolizing him as an icon. Among them are 34-year-old Rajesh Bhandari and 24-year-old Prabhat Basnet, both rappers and social media activists from Damak in Jhapa district, near India’s border.
Rajesh Bhandari, who runs a sanitary hardware business to fund his passion, has rapped for 15 years on politics, social issues, and entertainment. ‘Our music is protest, a way to connect,’ he says. Knowing Balen for over a decade, he believes the Kathmandu mayor is Nepal’s best bet for leadership after decades of destructive politics.
Just weeks ago, Bhandari released an album tributing Balen’s songs, calling it a full-throated endorsement. ‘Balen’s the leader we need today,’ he insists, lamenting how Nepali youth rarely achieve dreams. His limited travels—only to Siliguri in West Bengal—underscore his grounded roots.
Prabhat Basnet, coordinating Gen Z volunteers for Balen’s campaign, emphasizes rap’s simplicity and inspiration. During protests, they didn’t lead but organized and protected demonstrators from violence. ‘Balen has plans for development and instills confidence,’ Basnet adds.
Bhandari praises Balen’s three-year tenure as mayor, transforming Kathmandu into a cleaner, more beautiful city. As rappers unite, their campaign pulses with energy, signaling a generational shift in Nepal’s politics. With elections days away, can this rap-fueled wave propel Balen to the top?