Kezang Dorji is a Bhutanese rapper (B-Pop Artist) and a social artist. Calling himself a raptivist (rapper activist), Kezang makes songs with social messages and uses his influence to create awareness on social issues.
For his social inclination, Kezang has received a fair amount of international media attention. He is the first Bhutanese artist to feature on BBC News and CNN. He also featured on notable newspapers in India, NDTV and German TV ZDF among others.
Early Life
Kezang was born in 1989 in a remote village called Wooling under Orong Gewog in Samdrup Jongkhar district in Eastern Bhutan. His parents separated when he was six after his family had moved to Dewathang, a small town in the same district. Raised by his mother Kezang grew up in poverty. His struggles and rapper Eminem’s story inspired him to get into rapping.
Education
Kezang has a bachelor’s degree in English and Dzongkha from Sherubtse College (2009-2012). He studied science at Baylling Higher Secondary School in Trashiyangtse (2007-2008). He studied in his hometown school, the then Dewathang Middle Secondary School from pre-primary to tenth grade (1996-2006).
Music
As on 2021, Kezang has released two solo albums. In addition, he also has an album with his college band.
In 2011, Kezang launched his first music album with his college band Sherubtse Rockers. His song Chegi Denley was released on YouTube in August 2011 as a promotional video for the album.
Kezang joined M-Studio in 2013 and has released all his songs from the studio thereafter. He has also rapped for Bhutanese movies. His song, Gachibey which was his first song in a Bhutanese movie, as well as his first song in Dzongkha, met with a good response. Thereafter, his songs have most been in Dzongkha.
In 2017, he released a compilation album of 16 songs called “The Kuzuzangpo Album” and became the first Bhutanese artist to release an album on a USB drive.
He released second solo album KUZUZANGPO 2 on digital platforms in January 2019. The physical album on an 8GB USB drive was launched in July 2021.
He became the first Bhutanese artist to tour all 20 districts of Bhutan performing shows with The Kuzuzangpo Tour in 2016 and the KUZUZANGPO Tour 2 in 2019.
Awards & Recognition
In 2018, Kezang was awarded the South Asian Youth Award 2018 by the International Youth Committee.
He received the prestigious “Director’s Medal for Social Service” on his graduation from Sherubtse College in 2012, for his contribution to the community as a student.
In 2007, as an eleventh grader Kezang won a national level poetry competition and was awarded the Grand Jury Award in the Children and Youth Festival 2007 for his poem “Wherever Thy Majesty Leads”.
As a youth leader, Kezang has represented Bhutan in the following international youth summits:
- LEAD Alliance 2017 in Mongolia,
- Generation Democracy in Indonesia in 2017 and
- Global Summit in Austria in 2018.
Youth Leadership
Kezang was elected the 23rd President of Sherubtse College (FINA) in 2011.
In August 2012, he was elected the Chief Councilor at the National Graduates Orientation Program, an orientation program of all the graduates of Bhutan for that year.
In 2014, Kezang became a member of the first group of the Youth Initiative and was elected as the Speaker.
To support and get the latest updates on Kezang’s journey subscribe to his channel on YouTube and like his Facebook page.
For bookings and queries write to kezangdorjiofficialemail@gmail.com
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Successfully completed…this is really awesome.. 🙂