“Nepal swears in ex-rapper as new prime minister”

“Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah has been sworn in as Nepal's prime minister after a landslide victory in the country's first election since last year's youth-led protests.”

“The 35-year-old's rise marks an important shift in Nepali politics.”

“Before taking office on Friday, Shah, popularly known as Balen, released a song filled with optimism about Nepal's future.”

“The song harks back to his roots in the underground rap scene, where he used music to call out corruption and other social problems in Nepal.”

“His supporters see him as a symbol of change and a break from the failings of Nepal's old guard.”

“Shah was born in 1990 in Naradevi, Kathmandu, and is his parents' youngest son.”

“His father is an Ayurvedic practitioner and his mother stayed at home to bring up the family.”

“Shah is married and lives with his wife and daughter.”

“After leaving school he graduated with engineering degrees in Kathmandu and later in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.”

“In 2013, he shot to fame after winning a popular rap battle in Nepal, with sharp verses that carried the frustration of a generation that felt suppressed and abandoned.”

“Shah opted instead to speak to voters through social media posts, in which he pledged a sweeping anti-corruption agenda, judiciary reforms, and to create 1.2m new jobs, among other things.”

“In 2022, the political newbie won Kathmandu's mayoral race by a landslide as an independent candidate, triumphing over parties which had dominated elections for decades.”

“Nepal released findings from its 2025 uprising investigation.”

“He also started a controversial campaign to bulldoze illegal buildings – which helped ease traffic but also drew criticism from street vendors and residents in informal settlements.”

“One of his best-known hits, Balidan, has amassed 14m views on YouTube.”

“Shah went on to release several popular songs which criticised corruption and social inequality in the Himalayan nation.”

“Protesters adopted his song Nepal Haseko – which means Smiling Nepal – as one of their anthems.”

“Shah brought his unconventional style into his campaign for Nepal's top office this year, largely staying out of the spotlight and avoiding media interviews.”

“The rise to power”

“Shah's campaign did not respond to a BBC request for comment.”

“The 2025 protests were initially triggered by a social media ban but driven by anger over corruption, unemployment, and economic stagnation.”

“Shah even unseated former prime minister KP Sharma Oli in the Jhapa 5 constituency, which had long been the latter's stronghold.”

“As mayor he was criticised by rights groups for using the police against street vendors in a heavy-handed manner, as he worked to keep roads clear in the capital and crack down on unlicensed businesses.”

“His tenure as mayor was marked by efforts to clean up the city, preserve indigenous heritage, and a crackdown on corruption.”

“Shah's message continued to resonate with the country's youth during last September's protests, in which 77 people died – many of them protesters shot by police.”

“Shah's campaign did not respond to a BBC request for comment.”

“Human Rights Watch is one of the groups that raised those concerns and told the BBC it's the type of behaviour they've often observed of new leaders who want to show results quickly.”

“His critics argue this strategy has allowed him to avoid public scrutiny of his record.”

“The unrest was triggered by a ban on social media but fuelled by anger against corruption, unemployment and economic stagnation.”

“It's not altogether a clean sheet for Balendra Shah, though.”

“Shah has also sparked controversy on social media. phiếu”

“The unrest was triggered by a ban on social media but fuelled by anger against corruption, unemployment and economic stagnation.”

“It worked – the RSP swept the 5 March general elections, shattering the political elite and entrenched power structures.”