Manas on Bihari Hip Hop, Maithili Season & Breaking Stereotypes
Manas—rapper, producer, and storyteller—is part of a new wave of artists using regional language and lived experience to rewrite the narrative.
With Maithili Season, his collaborative album with Samay, he’s proven that lyrical depth, cultural pride, and sonic experimentation can all coexist—without chasing clout.
In this interview, Manas reflects on his early influences, the challenges of being a Bihari artist in a scene full of stereotypes, and why staying versatile is at the core of his creative process.
Q) First of all, congratulations on all the incredible work you’ve been doing. I was introduced to your music through your collaborative album with Samay, Maithili Season. Could you share how the idea for the project came about and what the creative process was like, from start to finish?
Manas: Thank you for taking the time to listen to Maithili Season. This project is incredibly special to us, and the creative journey behind it was both exciting and unforgettable.
I’ve been rapping in Hindi for the past two years, while Samay has been exploring both Hindi and Punjabi rap. Having grown up in Punjab, he witnessed the rise of regional music firsthand, which deeply shaped his artistic vision.
The idea to rap in Maithili was actually his—I had never imagined we could showcase our lyrical abilities in this language. But once we started, it felt natural and incredibly fulfilling.
Our first finished track, Charcha, was a turning point. I poured my heart into that song, making sure my writing stayed authentic and true to my voice.
From there, the project grew organically—one song led to another, and eventually, we had six complete tracks. Shikriwal and Divyum were instrumental in engineering the entire album. They helped us craft the raw, distinct sound we had envisioned.
After that, we added an intro, an outro, and two acoustic versions to give the album more depth. It took us about three months to complete the entire project—a journey filled with both challenges and joy.
We’re incredibly proud of Maithili Season and what it represents in terms of our artistic growth.
Q) Maithili Season touched on several important societal issues, and the way you and Samay approached them felt powerful and honest. I also really enjoyed how some songs had multiple versions—especially the acoustic version of Bihar, which was a personal favorite. As an artist from this region, how important is it for you to embrace the parts of your identity that are often overlooked or misrepresented in mainstream media?
Manas: You’re absolutely right—people often look down on individuals from Bihar. There are many stereotypes in society, the most common being that Biharis are only fit for labor or small jobs, and that hip-hop is beyond their reach.
With Maithili Season, our main goal was to break these stereotypes and prove that high-quality rap can be made in the Maithili language. In the acoustic version of Bihar, I included a verse that captures this mission:
“Ee album ahi duare banelye ki sabta stereotypes toer deb, Bihar ke dharti ma kranti ke beej roep deb.”
Translation: “We’ve made this album to break all stereotypes and plant the seeds of revolution in the land of Bihar.”
Throughout the album, we’ve kept it real—no filters, no pretense. For us, hip-hop is more than music; it’s a medium to express our culture and share our worldview. Language or regional origin should never be barriers to art.
What’s interesting is that most of our monthly listeners are from cities like New Delhi and Mumbai. Even if they don’t fully understand the language, they connect with the emotions embedded in our music.
As a Bihari, I’ve personally faced discrimination in many areas. But when it comes to hip-hop, I believe our voice stands out—not just within Bihar, but across the entire Indian hip-hop landscape.
And over time, I’m confident more people will recognize that.
Q) For someone completely new to Bihari hip hop, how would you describe its sound, themes, or identity? And who are some of the most exciting or emerging artists from the region that you think people should be paying attention to?
Manas: Bihari hip-hop is fresh and raw. It’s an unfiltered form of storytelling that stays true to the artist’s background and reality. There’s no sugarcoating.
If someone comes from a farming family, or has grown up with hunger or financial struggle, they bring those experiences into their lyrics—exactly as they are. It’s honest and unapologetic.
If I had to describe Bihari hip-hop in three words, they would be: REAL, RAW, and RIGID.
As for artists to watch, my current playlist includes Lit Trust, Arun Ydv, Shikriwal, and Harass. I have immense respect for their work and consider them my big brothers in this journey.
Q) You wear multiple hats as both a rapper and a producer, which gives you a unique perspective within the rap scene. Can you take us back to how your journey in hip hop first began? Was there a specific moment, artist, or experience that pulled you into the culture?
Manas: Looking back, I’ve always been a mischievous kid. Raising me wasn’t easy for my parents because I was more drawn to extracurriculars than studies.
I’ve always had this insatiable curiosity—some might even call it a flaw—which means I tend to jump from one interest to another. That trait definitely carries into my music.
My mother was my first connection to music. She was a passionate listener and the one who brought our first DVD player home. She used to play a lot of Bollywood music from the ’80s and ’90s.
My father, on the other hand, had no interest in music. But because of my mom, I developed a love for it early on. As I grew older, I became curious about how music was actually made.
Like many people, I first connected with songs through their lyrics. That’s how I started writing poems and song lyrics—though at the time, I didn’t take it too seriously.
Everything changed in 7th grade when a school friend introduced me to Eminem’s Rap God. It was the first rap song I heard that truly blew my mind. I was hooked—I listened to it on loop, trying to memorize every single word.
Around that time, Honey Singh and Badshah were dominating the Indian music scene, but once I discovered Eminem and his deeper lyrical content, their music started feeling a bit shallow to me. That was when I truly understood what hip-hop could be—and when I began writing seriously.
I released my first song in 2021, recording and mixing it entirely on my phone. Over time, I learned the importance of proper recording, mixing, and mastering. That realization pushed me to refine my craft, and I’ve been consistently working on elevating my music ever since.
Q) When someone dives into your discography, your versatility really stands out. Tracks like Melodine, Dehati Hip Hop, and Black Ink each showcase a different side of your artistry. How important is it for you to stay away from being boxed into a single style or sound?
Manas: It means a lot that you’ve explored my music so deeply.
As I mentioned earlier, I’ve always enjoyed learning different styles—and I bring that same energy into my music. I want every track to offer a new experience, so listeners know I’m not someone who can be confined to a single sound or approach.
My goal has always been to explore, absorb, and reinterpret different musical influences. I want my audience to hear something fresh in every song. I even said this in a line from Black Ink:
“Nahi ban-na tha kbhi mujhe wo box wala artist, mujhe karne explore every form of music.”
Translation: “I never wanted to be a boxed-in artist; I wanted to explore every form of music.”
That’s the foundation of my work—and I’ll keep pushing myself to stay versatile and dynamic.
Q) Outside of hip hop, are there any other genres or musical influences that excite you or inspire your creative process?
Manas: Definitely. Besides hip-hop, I listen to a lot of qawwali and enjoy folk music from different regions.
My tastes change with my mood. I also really appreciate Bollywood music from the ’80s and ’90s. I try to blend all these influences into my sound to create something that feels unique and true to me.
Q) When you first started making music, the hip hop scene in Bihar was still in its early stages. Looking back, what’s one piece of advice you wish someone had given you back then—something you’d now like to pass on to anyone just starting out on their journey?
Manas: The biggest piece of advice I’d give is: choose your friends and collaborators wisely.
A lot of people won’t want to see you succeed.
Some will try to misguide you or hold you back. I’ve seen incredibly talented artists lose their way to drugs and crime. If they had been in better environments, they could’ve achieved so much more.
So be mindful of who you surround yourself with—both your friends and your enemies. Stay close to people who genuinely want to see you grow, without any hidden agendas. That support system can make all the difference.
Q) What’s next for you creatively? Are there any upcoming projects, collaborations, or directions you’re particularly excited about?
Manas: After Maithili Season, we’re now working on our second album titled Mithila Rajdhani. It’s currently in production and will be releasing soon.
So stay tuned—and thank you so much for supporting my music!
This interview isn’t just about music—it’s about identity, resilience, and the power of language.
Whether he’s challenging stereotypes about Bihar, blending genres beyond hip hop, or refusing to be boxed into one artistic lane, Manas is building something rare: authenticity in an era of algorithms.
As he looks ahead to his next project, Mithila Rajdhani, one thing is certain—he’s not chasing trends, he’s building truth. And in doing so, he’s inspiring a generation of artists to embrace where they come from, rap in their mother tongue, and never shrink themselves to fit someone else’s mold.
Bihari hip hop may still be finding its place—but with voices like Manas, it’s no longer in the shadows. It’s leading the way.
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