Premiere: Shillong Hip-Hop Artist MOKSH’s Independence Day Salute on ‘Bharat’

Shillong rapper MOKSH aka Mrinal Paul’s latest music video and song “Bharat” puts forward the strong proof that loving your country while also being critical are not incompatible.

Released on Independence Day with a vertical music video, MOKSH teams up with Guwahati producer Basshole for the emphatic Hindi song which references everything from the daily struggles of the populace to systemic injustices, internet misinformation and the togetherness of India to stand strong in the face of it all. MOKSH says, “I feel artists archive the present for the generations to come, as a matter of the past. Had there been no issues around us I would not have spoken about them right? The events surrounding me, compel me to take a dive into such topics. However, the message is loud and clear — let’s unite to get rid of these issues which bother us.”

The rapper – who released this song as part of his new EP At Your Service – is confident that if the message of “Bharat” comes through, there aren’t going to be negative comments. The song was created right around when New Delhi and several parts of India witnessed protests by farmers against legislations passed by Parliament in late 2020. MOKSH adds, “Basshole and I had been talking about a collaboration even before the occurrence of the pandemic. This beat was the outcome of our first session together.”

At Your Service is out as a four-track EP, featuring other cuts like “Gadbad Hai,” “Rose” and “Rehne De,” seeing MOKSH balance himself while being emotionally tested by the times, with producer assists coming from Kabir Jamatia and Flamesmagic. The EP was originally released as an exclusive fundraiser on event and music platform Skillbox earlier this month. MOKSH adds, “All proceeds from its sale would go to the COVID-19 relief work of Impulse NGO Network — providing ration and essential items like sanitary pads to at least 500 households in each state of Northeast India as well as in parts of North Bengal.”

The rapper has more unreleased music in the vault, while also juggling his label MOX. “I am also trying to dedicate much of my time towards my debut studio album. We do not have a release date for it yet, I just don’t want to rush with the process on this one,” MOKSH adds.

Watch the video for “Bharat” below. Stream ‘At Your Service’ EP here.