Mai Baap by Alok Kumar

There is an honesty to Mai Baap that separates it from most Bhojpuri songs released around the same time. The production by Avinash Jha (Ghunghru Ji) is understated in the best way — supportive without overshadowing the vocal.

The vocal on Mai Baap is among the better performances Alok Kumar has committed to record. Khesari Lal Yadav, Akshra Singh are at the heart of Dilwala, and Mai Baap captures their dynamic at its most compelling.

2016 was a strong year for Bhojpuri music, and Mai Baap was among the reasons why. There is no right time to listen to Mai Baap. There is only the moment you press play and realise it was the right choice.

At 9:01, the track does not overstay its welcome — it says what it needs to say and leaves the listener wanting more. Songs like Mai Baap are the reason people fall in love with Bhojpuri music and never quite fall out of it.