Balen Shah, widely known simply as Balen, has emerged as one of the most talked-about political figures in Nepal. Once recognised primarily as a rapper, he later stunned the country's political establishment by winning the Kathmandu mayoral election in 2022 as an Independent candidate. Today, the 35-year-old is positioning himself as a key political contender as Nepal heads towards fresh elections following months of political unrest.
From rap battles to public attention
Born in 1990 in Kathmandu, Balen is the youngest of four siblings. His father, Ram Narayan Shah, was an ayurveda practitioner who often travelled for work. Recalling his childhood, Shah once described him as a "bright and simple" child who loved writing poetry, Aljazeera reported.
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Balen later studied civil engineering at Himalayan Whitehouse International College in Kathmandu and pursued a postgraduate degree in structural engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) in Karnataka, India.
His rise to public attention began in 2013, when he participated in a popular rap battle competition in Nepal called Raw Barz. The contest featured live lyrical face-offs between performers. Balen won the competition and quickly gained recognition for his lyrical style. Aljazeera quoted an organiser of the contest later recalling, "More than a rapper, he was a poet. He was very good lyrically, and talked about suppressed (people)."
Shock victory in Kathmandu
Nearly a decade later, Balen entered politics. In 2021, he announced his intention to run for mayor of Kathmandu. The move surprised many, but his campaign resonated strongly with voters frustrated by traditional politics.
In the 2022 mayoral election, Balen secured 61,767 votes, defeating candidates from major parties including the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (UML).
As mayor, according to his aide Surendra Bajgain, Balen maintained a structured routine. He would reach the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) office around 10 am, review files with department heads, and seek clarification before signing documents.
He was also known for his distinctive appearance. Bajgain said he wore a black jacket, black pants and dark glasses daily. "But you'll see him in those glasses when taking pictures or in public," Bajgain said.
Strong online presence and youth appeal
Unlike many traditional politicians, Balen communicates largely through social media, podcasts and television appearances rather than mainstream media interviews.
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His online reach is significant: 3.5 million followers on Facebook, 1 million on Instagram, 4,00,000 on X and nearly 1 million on YouTube.
His music has also remained influential. Songs criticising corruption and political systems have resonated with younger audiences. One such song, Nepal Haseko (Nepal Smiling), became widely associated with recent protests and has garnered millions of views online.
As Nepal's political landscape shifts, Balen Shah continues to draw attention as a figure whose journey from music to municipal leadership has captured the imagination of many young Nepalis.
