When people think of protest music entering politics, the examples that usually come to mind are folk singers addressing different issues in their lyrics and sometimes even performing on the streets – surrounded by people demanding justice. One former hip-hop artist in Nepal did exactly that – only he took it a few steps further.
Balendra Shah, or Balen, is a musician who first rose to fame as a socially active rapper in the emerging Nep-hop scene (Nepalese hip-hop). His songs dealt with issues such as corruption and inequality and lifted up the voice of a generation of disenchanted young people in Nepal.
Nep-hop, Nepal’s growing hip-hop scene, emerged in the early 2000s and has increasingly become a platform for social commentary and political criticism among young artists.
Shah’s rise in politics began when he won a surprise victory as Mayor of Kathmandu in 2022, running as an independent candidate and defeating politicians from Nepal’s established parties. The win highlighted a major shift in the country’s political landscape, driven largely by younger voters seeking change.
Now, after his extraordinary journey from socially conscious artist to political reformer, Shah is expected to become Nepal’s next prime minister. His wild trip from underground rap battles to the top of national politics highlights just how powerful a vehicle for political change music can be.
Whether governing proves as powerful as his music remains to be seen. But if he does take office, Nepal may soon be led by a prime minister whose political vision was first delivered through music.
Here are four songs from the time Balen used a mic and a beat to effect change.
1. “Balidan” (Sacrifice)
One of Shah’s most famous songs, Balidan is an uncompromising attack on corruption in Nepalese politics. The track calls out leaders who, in Shah’s words, have betrayed the people they claim to represent.
The song resonated widely among young listeners who felt locked out of opportunity by a political system dominated by old elites. It quickly became an anthem for frustration with corruption and mismanagement.
2. “Ma Nepal Haseko Dekhna Chahanchu” (I Want to See Nepal Smiling)
While sharply critical of political leaders, this song carries a hopeful message. Shah imagines a Nepal where citizens live with dignity and opportunity rather than political instability and corruption.
The track’s vision of a better future made it particularly popular among youth activists and students calling for reform.
3. “Sadak Balak” (Street Child)
In Sadak Balak, Shah turns his attention to social inequality. The song tells the story of children forced to survive on the streets, shining a light on poverty and social neglect in Nepal’s cities.
The track showed that Shah’s political consciousness extended beyond party politics to broader questions of justice and human dignity.
4. “Nepal Haseko” (Nepal Smiling)
Another widely shared track, Nepal Haseko continues Shah’s theme of imagining a happier and more just country. Its hopeful tone contrasts with the harsh political criticism found elsewhere in his catalogue, but the underlying message remains clear: Nepal deserves better leadership.
The song has often been used at youth rallies and reformist gatherings, reinforcing Shah’s connection with a younger generation of voters.
