MediaPlayer.create() always returns null
The create() API returns null if it somehow failed.
The reason in this case is due to a corrupt mp3 file.
In my case, it was the emulator (AVD)
Make sure that you also test it using a real Android device
or, create a new AVD profile with better spec and newer Android version
What seems to always work regardless of which AVD is using 128kbps mp3 audio file