Nepal's next prime minister, Balen Shah, has traded in his mic for a seat of power. The 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician has been elected as the youngest PM in Nepal's history.
Shah's journey from an underground rapper to a powerful political figure began with his battle rap videos, which gained him a massive following. His viral Raw Barz battle video with fellow Nepali rapper, Litl Grizl, has racked up 14 million views.
Shah's music career was marked by his socially conscious rap songs, which spoke about corruption, nepotism, and social inequality. His songs became an anthem for the Gen Z protests in Nepal, which demanded change and an end to entrenched corruption.
Shah's political awareness began in his youth, and he announced his political ambition on social media in 2017. He won the election for mayor of Kathmandu as an independent candidate in 2022 and resigned earlier this year to stand for national elections.
As PM, Shah's style is expected to be different from traditional politicians. He communicates sparingly and uses social media to connect with his supporters. His persona is macho, and he has cultivated an aura of mystique.
The question facing Nepal is whether Shah's instincts as a rapper can survive the harsh realities of national politics. Can his swagger, defiance, and ability to read the mood of the crowd translate into effective governance?
