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Bohemia (rapper)

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Bohemia
Bohemia live in Huston, Texsas 2009
Bohemia live in Huston, Texsas 2009
Background information
Birth nameRoger David
Also known asBohemia, Punjabi Rap Da Badshah, Raja, The Punjabi Rapper,
Born (1979-10-15) 15 October 1979 (age 44)
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan[1]
OriginCalifornia, United States

Roger David, (born 15 October 1979),[2] better known by his stage names Bohemia (stylized BOHEMIA), Raja and The Punjabi Rapper is a Pakistani American rapper and music producer from California. He raps in Punjabi, and is best known for his work in Desi Hip Hop.

Early life

Bohemia was born on 15 October 1979 in Karachi, Sindh[3] into an ethnic Punjabi, Christian family. His father was an employee at Pakistan International Airline. The family were transferred to Lahore, where he spent his childhood, followed by seven years in Peshawar. While he was in his early teens his family moved to the United States, settling in San Francisco’s Mission District.

Bohemia started learning music from his father, and writing Punjabi poetry around that time.[1] He occasionally played keyboards at local Desi events. He wrote songs and poetry, mostly in Urdu and Punjabi. His mother died of cancer[3] when he was 16 years old. At the same time he got a job at a recording studio in Sacramento. He dropped out of school and left his family to become a full-time musician. Along with a group of other musicians, he toured and playing gigs in the US and Canada, sleeping in cars and on recording studio floors.

He moved to join his cousin in Oakland, who was working at a West Oakland recording studio, and introduced him to a young hip hop producer called Sha One. Sha heard Bohemia reciting something he had written in Punjabi, and asked him to rap it over one of his beats. Over the next few months, Bohemia wrote the lyrics for his debut album Vich Pardesan De (In The Foreign Land) – an autobiographical story of his life as a Desi youngster adapting to life in the US. This album was a new genre of music which is today known as Desi Hip hop. Bohemia claims to be inspired by the poets Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Mirza Ghalib and Allama Iqbal. He said in an interview, "People like Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Mirza Ghalib are our icons and most of my poetry is inspired by them.[4] For instance, in one of my songs, I talk about ‘going beyond the stars’, the idea of which is essentially taken from Allama Iqbal’s ‘Sitaron Se Aagay Jahan Aur Bhi Hain’."[1]

Career

Vich Pardesan De

Bohemia released his independent debut album, Vich Pardesan De in 2002. It reached the Top 10 on BBC Radio UK in 2002.

Pesa Nasha Payar

The following album, Pesa nasha pyar [Money, intoxication, love][5] was released in 2006 and became the first full-length Punjabi rap album released under major label. Bohemia subsequently signed a multi-record deal with music label Universal Music Group [2006 - 2009]. In 2006 Pesa nasha pyar was #2 on the Top 10 downloads of Maxim (magazine), and #3 on Planet M chart India.[3]

Da Rap Star

Da rap star, his third album released in 2009, received four nominations at the UK Asian Music Awards and PTC Punjabi music awards, including Best Punjabi Album and Best Music Director.[6] [7] It also remained at #1 on Planet M chart several weeks.[8]

2009-2011

Bohemia toured in 2009. performing in North America, Australia, Europe and Asia. His work was included in several of Universal India’s compilations, including three tracks on The Chart Busters.[9] Bohemia was one of the best-selling artists of the year in 2009 for Universal Music Group India.[citation needed] He performed the title track for Warner Bros film Chandni Chowk to China, appearing in the film with Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone.[10] A few months later he did the title track for another Akshay Kumar film, 8 x 10 Tasveer.[11] In 2011 he gave a song as a present to Akshay Kumar for his first Hollywood Production Breakaway.[12]
Bohemia also made a voice performance for the film Desi Boyz to set the cameo scene for Sanjay Dutt.

Thousand Thoughts

In September 2012 Bohemia released his fourth album Thousand thoughts.[13]
In 2013, it won Best Non-Resident Punjabi Album award at PTC Punjabi Music Awards.[14]

Coke Studio

At the Coke Studio Sessions he was the first rap artist, appearing in their season 5 and performing three songs "School Di Kitaab", "Pese Da Nasha" and "Kandiyari Dhol Geet".[15]

Other Collaborations

Bohemia recorded a collaboration with Sonu Kakkar and Jamaican American artist Sean Kingston.[16][17]

2012-2014

In May 2012, Sony Music India signed Bohemia. As part of the association, Sony Music managed his music albums, launches and shows under its artist management program.[18][19] In 2014 Bohemia decided to go independent under his own music label Kali Denali Music.[20]

Other Accolades

Bohemia has appeared in XXL magazine in New York.[8]

Bohemia has also produced the album Gulabi for Jasmine Sandlas[21]

Discography

Albums

Year Album Artist Music Director
2002 Vich Pardesan De Bohemia Bohemia
2006 Pesa nasha pyar Bohemia Bohemia
2009 Da rap star Bohemia Bohemia
2012 Gulabi Jasmine Sandlas Bohemia
2012 Thousand thoughts Bohemia Bohemia

Film music

Movie Song Year
Chandni Chowk to China Chandni Chowk to China 2009
8 x 10 Tasveer I Got the Picture 2009
Breakaway Sansaar 2011
Desi Boyz Subha Hone Na De 2011

Singles

  • "All Around The World" - Bohemia ft Aman
  • "Kala Doriya" - Bohemia ft Dj Chintu
  • "Evury day" - Bohemia
  • "Paigam" - Bohemia
  • "Sharabi" Gippy Grewal ft. Bohemia (musician)
  • "Keep It G" - Bohemia ft Kurupt
  • "Talli" - Bohemia ft Gitta Bains and Tigerstyle
  • "What Have I Learned" - Bohemia ft Jennifer F
  • "Rooh (the Soul)" - Bohemia
  • "Yaad Anah" - Bohemia
  • "Brand New Swag" - Bohemia ft Haji Springer and Panda Vution
  • "Main" - Bohemia
  • "My Shoes" - MiddleMan ft. Mr. Kay & Bohemia
  • "Meri Bandook" - Bohemia ft. Haji Springer
  • "Koi Ni Parwaa" - Haji Springer ft. Bohemia (musician)
  • "Devil Inside" - Haji Springer ft. Bohemia (musician) & Marty James
  • "Jaguar" - Sukhe Muzical Doctorz ft. Bohemia (musician)
  • "Yaraan De Siraa Te" - Nishawn Bhullar ft. Bohemia (musician)
  • "Patola" - Guru Randhawa ft. Bohemia (musician)

Coke Studio

Awards and nominations

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010 "Da rap star" Best Punjabi Album at PTC Punjabi music awards Nominated
2010 "Da rap star" Best Sound Recording at PTC Punjabi music awards Nominated
2010 "Da rap star" Best Punjabi Music Director at PTC Punjabi music awards Nominated
2010 "Da rap star" Best International Album at UK Asian Music Awards Nominated
2013 "Thousand thoughts" Best International Album at PTC Punjabi music awards Won


References

  1. ^ a b c Mahmood, Rafay. "Bohemia: More than just forties and shorties". The Express Tribune. Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  2. ^ "TDIM - Bohemia's Birthday - 15th Oct". Mtv.in.com. 15 October 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  3. ^ a b c Bohemia (30 August 2012). "Bio". Thepunjabirapper.com. Retrieved 25 July 2014. [unreliable source?]
  4. ^ "BBC Radio 1 - Nihal, Tabla Soul Session with Swaati, Bohemia talks with Nihal". BBC. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  5. ^ "iTunes - Music - Pesa NashaNashasha Bohemia". iTunes. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  6. ^ "Bohemia Booking Agency Profile". Celebrity Talent. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  7. ^ "Bohemia". Famous Punjabi. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  8. ^ a b "Bohemia Bio | Bohemia Career". MTV. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  9. ^ "Main Lyrics Bohemia". LyricsWala.com. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  10. ^ jfsocc (16 January 2009). "Chandni Chowk to China (2009)". IMDb. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  11. ^ manojharisree (3 April 2009). "8 x 10 Tasveer (2009)". IMDb. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  12. ^ "Sansaar [Breakaway 2011]". Bohemia The Punjabi Rapper. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  13. ^ "iTunes - Music - Thousand Thoughts by Bohemia". iTunes. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  14. ^ "PTC Punjabi Music Awards winners". The Times Of India. 25 March 2013.
  15. ^ "Coke Studio Season 5 Episode 4 continues musical exploration". News Desk. Pakistan Today. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  16. ^ "BOHEMIA, IRAJ, SEAN KINGSTON". BOHEMIA. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  17. ^ "BOHEMIA X AVENUE OB - WAKE N BAKE (COMING SOON) ~ Pesa Nasha Pyar - All About Bohemia". Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  18. ^ "Sony Music signs Punjabi rapper Bohemia". Daily News & Analysis. Dnaindia.com. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  19. ^ "Sony Music signs singer Bohemia". Times of India. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
  20. ^ "Main". BOHEMIA. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  21. ^ "Jasmine Sandlas". Facebook. Retrieved 9 March 2015.

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