Rapper-Turned-Leader: Nepal New PM Balendra Shah Drops ‘Unity Rap’ Ahead of Swearing-In

New Delhi, March 27, 2026 — In a move that blends the grit of the streets with the gravity of the state, Nepal’s Prime Minister-elect, Balendra “Balen” Shah, has delivered his first post-election address to the nation not from a podium, but through a microphone. On Thursday, just hours before his official swearing-in ceremony, the 35-year-old structural engineer and former rapper released a powerful rap track titled “Jay Mahakali,” calling for national healing and unity.

The message comes at a pivotal moment for the Himalayan republic, which is still reeling from the scars of a deadly youth-led uprising in September 2025 that toppled the previous administration.

A High-Energy Call for Unity

The track, which quickly went viral with millions of views across YouTube and social media, features Shah’s signature lyrical style—sharp, rhythmic, and unapologetically patriotic. Over a montage of his landslide election campaign, Shah raps in Nepali:

“The strength of unity is my national power… Undivided Nepali, this time, history is being made.”

Other verses strike a more visceral chord, reflecting the intensity of the “Gen Z revolution” that propelled him to power:

“My heart is full of courage, my red blood is boiling; my brothers stand with me, this time we will rise… May my breath not run out, I will run like a leopard.”

The choice of medium is consistent with Shah’s brand. Long before entering politics, he rose to fame as a rapper whose lyrics targeted corruption, unemployment, and the stagnation of the “old guard.” By using hip-hop to deliver his first major address as PM-to-be, he has signaled that his administration will not follow the traditional, often stiff, protocols of the past.

A Landslide Mandate for Change

Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) secured a historic victory in the March 5 general elections, claiming 182 out of 275 seats in the House of Representatives. This commanding majority allows Shah to form a government under Article 76 (1) of the Constitution without the need for the fragile coalitions that have plagued Nepali politics for decades.

The election was a personal triumph for Shah as well. Standing in the Jhapa-5 constituency, he defeated the veteran Communist leader and four-time Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli by a staggering margin, effectively ending the dominance of the traditional political establishment in that region.

Healing a Divided Nation

The “Unity Rap” is more than just a musical release; it is a strategic attempt to bridge the deep divides following the 2025 anti-corruption protests, where at least 77 people lost their lives.

Outgoing interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, a former chief justice who led the country through the six-month transition, praised the shift toward youth leadership in her farewell address. She expressed confidence that the new government would prioritize transparency and social justice—values that Shah highlighted in his track.

What to Expect Next

Balen Shah is scheduled to be sworn in today, March 27, 2026, at the President’s Office in Sheetal Niwas. The ceremony is expected to be a unique cultural blend, featuring:

• Auspicious Timing: The oath will be taken at precisely 12:34 PM, a time chosen for its numerological significance and alignment with the Hindu festival of Ram Navami.
• Interfaith Rituals: Reports suggest the ceremony will include Vedic hymns by Hindu priests and Buddhist prayers by over 100 Lamas, reinforcing the message of religious and national harmony.

As the youngest Prime Minister in Nepal’s history and the first from the Madhes region to hold the post, Shah faces the monumental task of delivering on the high expectations of a generation that fought for change.