Read more: http://panjabirapper.blogspot.com/
CHANDIGARH:
US-based Pakistani rapper Bohemia, who collaborated with Akshay Kumar in Chandni Chowk To Chinafor the snazzy version of the title track, is expecting to ink another deal with the Bollywood star.
“Last month I had a meeting with Akshay bhai again. Hopefully, I will again contribute in his film. Talks are on with many other filmmakers and very soon things will be finalised,” Bohemia told IANS.
“My fan base started in America, whatever I get from outside is an added bonus. Now Bollywood is helping me. Akshay Kumar approached me for Chandni Chowk to China and I could not say no as I am a big fan,” he said.
Bohemia feels hip-hop or rap is not culture or society bound, “Hip-hop and rap is something that represents a whole culture. In other forms of music there are many restrictions and you are compartmentalised into certain compositions. But rap is absolutely free.”
Born as Roger David in Karachi, Pakistan, Bohemia shifted to the US when his parents decided to migrate there 14 years ago. He is now based in California. Bohemia’s grandfather had converted from Sikhism to Christianity.
Talking about his fan following in India, he said, “Whenever I come to India, there is a huge queue of youngsters outside my hotel room and at the venues. I like to take out time for them and teach them about hip-hop and rap music,” he said.
Bohemia became an instant hit in 2003 with his first album Vich Pardesan De and followed it with Pesa Nasha Pyar and Da Rap Star.
Read more: http://panjabirapper.blogspot.com/
Bohemia Biography
He is the first of a kind. Rap is usually sung in English, even if the song is in Hindi, Punjabi or English itself. But Bohemia raps in Punjabi. No one’s done that before, and no follower — if any — has been noticed.
Bohemia’s real name — he does not hide it — is Roger David. What’s a Christian doing singing Punjabi rap? “I am from Punjab, where my great-grandfather converted from Sikhism to Christianity for some reason,” says Bohemia simply. “However in my house, the Granth Sahib and the Bible were both there, though I was raised as a Christian. As for me, I believe in God, but I am not religious.”
The term “Bohemia” suggests flouting traditional mores. And rap is all about personal angst or feelings. So what is Bohemia the man all about? “Well, I lost my mom when I was just 14 or 15, and I was quite a momma’s boy. That made me mad and I was kind of pushed into negative things. I have to thank God for music, for that’s what finally made me wake up and gave a reason to live. Dad played the harmonium and I learnt the keyboard.”
He goes on, “When we shifted to the U.S., I lived a strange life. I was virtually living at the Milan Recording Studios in Sacramento and sleeping there or in cars. Harjeet Mehndi, Daler Mehndi’s brother, and I would go perform at occasions like birthdays and marriages, where I would play a bit of keyboards. I also worked with Jazzy B and others. I was friends with Suresh Margoli, a tabla player, and when he passed away at a young age and was replaced by another tabla player just as easily as if he was a broken instrument, I was mad again. I told the studio engineer that I was through with being a keyboard player who could go into anonymity if he died tomorrow. I wanted to do something where I would stand out!”
Bohemia’s first album was “Vich Pardesan De” in 2002, which was about coming to a foreign land. Hip-hop was then limited to the underground, and he pioneered Punjabi rap. Then came “Pesa Nasha Pyar” (Money, Intoxication, Love) in 2006 in India, the first-ever full-length desi rap album to be released worldwide on a major music label (Universal).
Bohemia says that his emotions are first-hand and are about what has happened either to him or people very close to him. “My emotions tend to be on the edge of the extreme,” says Bohemia. “Like a high when I am feeling good about myself, or when I am very bitter, like when a person of color in America is forced to even take off his socks while being frisked or is continually bothered by cops. I have never written my rap from sheer imagination or from fairytale land.”
“Da Rap Star,” his new album, also has some regular songs, as Bohemia realizes that rap usually is just a part of a song. He is also vastly proud of India’s musical heritage, and is a great fan of Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar and Jagjit Singh in particular. “That’s the real gold to be treasured. It’s our heritage and I listen a lot to them,” he says.
“Da Rap Star,” he says, “is all me, without any samples used other than my tribute track to Malkit Singh. I am showing off how good a producer I am! I have used a lot of bass, beats and keyboards and I have even done the sequencing. My associate J. Hind has added the desi hip-hop. There are tracks that describe my journey. To sum up, it’s me saying, ‘I’m me! Look, I’m still here!’”
Pioneers like Malkit Singh and Rabbi Shergill are unhappy about the current Punjabi pop scenario. What is his take? “I am optimistic,” he replies. “Being proper or right is a vast statement. When a U.K.-born Sikh comes out with a bhangra-pop album, what is important to me is not that the Punjabi accent is not correct but that a U.K.-raised guy is actually singing in Punjabi.”
He describes his collaboration with Akshay Kumar in “Chandni Chowk to China” and “8×10 Tasveer” as a “fantasy-come-true.” “Dad loves Akshay Kumar for the edgy stuff that he does and when he was once watching his film he asked me, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if Akshay called you to do a song?’ I agreed, but asked him why it would happen? And it was bizarre that six weeks later Pooja Batra called up and stated that Akshay wanted to be in touch with me!”
The superstar invited Bohemia to the Torino Film Festival to the premiere of “Singh is Kinng” and they walked the red carpet together. “He told me that he always worked out to my music and we hopped into his limo and he told me that he needed a song for his film and gave me a brief. That same night, I started making a beat for ‘Chandni Chowk To China.’ Some months later, he called up from Cape Town and got me to hear the synopsis of ‘8×10 Tasveer.’ We are working again in ‘De Dhana Dhan.’”
And what’s with the angry-yet-sad kind of look on his new inlay cover? Laughs the rapper, “Ha! That’s the music company’s choice! I had chosen another picture but they insisted on this one! You will have to pull them up for it!”
Read more: http://panjabirapper.blogspot.com/
Read more: http://panjabirapper.blogspot.com/
Bohemia (Born Roger David) is an ethnic Punjabi and was born in the city Karachi located in province Sindh in Pakistan. He referes to the hisotrical Punjabi city of Lahore (his home town) in several of his songs. “I am from Punjab, where my great-grandfather converted from Sikhism to Christianity for some reason, however in my house, the Granth Sahib and the Bible were both there, though I was raised as a Christian. As for me, I believe in God, but I am not religious.” says Bohemia. He started learning music at a very young age from his father. He started writing Punjabi poetry around then as well. After migrating to the Bay Area California USA at about fourteen years of age, Ra was introduced to America that was much the opposite of palm trees and green grass. The town was infested with drugs and violence. About a year later being in the states, he lost his mother to cancer. At that time, Ra left home and became a local musician. He started working as a keyboard player/music arranger while living at local studios with other musicians. After a few years of success, the local group of musicians fell apart and Ra left to pursue music on his own. Bohemia soon started putting his poetry to the music he composed and gave birth to a new genre of music.
Making of a Pioneer
The term “Bohemia” suggests flouting traditional mores. And rap is all about personal angst or feelings. So what is Bohemia the man all about? “Well, I lost my mom when I was just 14 or 15, and I was quite a momma’s boy. That made me mad and I was kind of pushed into negative things. I have to thank God for music, for that’s what finally made me wake up and gave a reason to live. Dad played the harmonium and I learnt the keyboard.”
He goes on, “When we shifted to the U.S., I lived a strange life. I was virtually living at the Milan Recording Studios in Sacramento and sleeping there or in cars... I was friends with Suresh Margoli, a tabla player, and when he was murdered at a young age and was replaced by another tabla player just as easily as if he was a broken instrument, I was mad again. I told the studio engineer that I was through with being a keyboard player who could go into anonymity if he died tomorrow. I wanted to do something where I would stand out!”
Bohemia’s first album was Vich Pardesan De in 2002, which was about coming to a foreign land. Hip-hop was then limited to the underground, and he pioneered Punjabi rap. Then came Pesa Nasha Pyar (Money, Intoxication, Love) in 2006 in India, the first-ever full-length Desi rap album to be released worldwide on a major music label (Universal Music Group).
Da Rap Star, his new album he says, “is all me, without any samples used other than my tribute track to Malkit Singh. I am showing off how good a producer I am! I have used a lot of bass, beats and keyboards and I have even done the sequencing. My associate J. Hind has added the desi hip-hop. There are tracks that describe my journey. To sum up, it’s me saying, ‘I’m me! Look, I’m still here!’”
Through his experiences, come raw raps depicting not just California street life, but a life many south Asians lead in America. Bohemia looks up to artists such as Jagjit Singh and the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and rapper's like Nas and KRS-One.
After having burnt up music charts with his Bollywood songs, Bohemia's highly awaited album Da Rap StarDa Rap Star, written and produced entirely by Bohemia hit #1 on the Planet M Chart India and is nominated as the Best Punjabi Album at the UK Asian Music Awards. has finally released (Universal Music Group, April 2009).
Bohemia's Albums
- 2002: Vich Pardesian De (In The Foreign Lands)
- 2006: Pesa Nasha Pyar (Money Addiction Love) Universal Music Group India Pvt. Ltd.
- 2009: Da Rap Star Universal Music Group India Pvt. Ltd. (Nominated for 4 Int'l Music Awards)
Bohemia in Bollywood
- Chandni Chowk to China
Bohemia wrote and produced the title track for Warner Bros. Chandni Chowk to China is a Hindi film directed by Nikhil Advani. Bohemia appears in the film for the title track along with stars Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone.
- 8 x 10 Tasveer
Akshay teams up with Bohemia for a song in 8 x 10 Tasveer. Navin Shah, CEO of Percept Picture Company, says, "...Bohemia is a very popular rap artist and we are very happy that he has given his music for our film."The Name Of the Song is "I got the picture"8 x 10 Tasveer. starring Julian S. Low, Akshay Kumar, Ayesha Takia, Sharmila Tagore, Javed Jaffrey, and Anant Mahadevan is directed by Nagesh Kukunoor.
Read more: http://panjabirapper.blogspot.com/
Bohemia - Da Rap Star - Review
The intro is different to many others I have heard on various hip hop albums, bigin up his record label universal records, and telling the listeners “to light one up” and get ready for the album. The beat is bangin and the concept of the intro is very innovative. Thumbs up for this one, and am lightin one up to listen to the album ;) and so should you lol then ull feel the lyrics and beatz on a different level lol….
Ek tera pyar, features Devika Chawla , a desi female artist from California, the chorus sang by her are the lyrics of Madam Noor Jahan, the melody queen of Punjabi music from the song “ Ve Ek Tera Pyar” ( a modern version remixed by Nas-T and JKD is available to download on this blog), the beat is off the hook, tight ass bassline beat and Bohemia simply rips this track with his awesome lyrics and the style he raps it in on the chronic westcoast style beat. The first video of the album is of this song, it’s a lovers song but put in a way that guys wouldn’t feel embarrassed of listening and raping because it’s a kool n hip romantic song , its this albums Sahara from PNP.
Next tune, starts with a mellow intro but from the moment Bohemia starts rapping, you know its gonna be a killa track. The lyrics are truly the work of the great master himself and define him being the Badshah of Punjabi Rap. He tells his own story of his involvement in the west coast life of a young desi who starts with drugs and all that shit and warns that hez a diwana so stay away from him ;) I would say it’s the finest work and well worth the 3 years wait after Pesa Nasha Pyar, this is the Kali Denali song of this album. What a tune, what great lyrics, simply amazing this song -Its a masterpiece !
A Gangsta rap version of love and trust (Eitbaar) in Punjabi. The beat is very well produced by Bohemia himself, and those critics who thought without ShaOne who produced most of Pesa Nasha Pyar, Bohemia’s album going to be crap, to them I can only say that these first three tracks have already proved you wrong ! Case dismissed ! Banging lyrics, beat, style, flow - a true artistic piece of excellence !
Sound of sirens, helicopters, the police is after big B, hez the Gunegaar (Sinner) and karon- bhaar , on the run, hustling, griding, and to lessen the pain of all this and getting fed up from all this he drinks, smokes, and enjoys his life in his own way. A true story of life in the ghettos of big metropolis around the world where desi youngsters grow up. Big B is a really good producer I must say, another beat you can bump out loud in your speakers. What a tune !
The Punjabi Rap Star tells his story of fame with music around the world, the beat and rap is slightly softer then those 2 songs before that, it tells how he works hard in the studios till late night, and that the ladies are crazy about him, and no one is like him try and find someone like him ! Well I have searched a lot and cannot see anyone like you Bohemia, and as you said in the song, we or certainly I will remember your songs always even after you are gone, but hopefully that wont be the case. Long live the Badshah of Punjabi rap who has pioneered this genre of Desi Hip Hop. Big up Bohemia !
Haha the optimal topic CHARSO BEES (420) for desi youngsters, this is defiantly going to be a anthem for all the “ullu de pathay” desi’s bumpin the songs of Bohemia and trying to imitate his style and image as he says in the song. He also tells the story of his musical side of all his albums. The beat is unique and blends in well with the lyrics. These lyrics are going to be in every fans minds am sure, I think I need to upload the lyrics of this one for sure. Another Punjabi rap classic .
The King of Bhangra and The King of Punjabi Rap come together on this track to produce another one of them desi hip hop classics, that has the potential to blow up every radio station and club all over the globe. Its amaizing when you listen carefully to the lyrics of Bohemia how he blows you away with his rhymes and flow. GUR NAALON ISHQ MITHA oh balle balle Punjabiyo joundey rawo hasday rawo ishq laranday rawo !
The smoother bassline beat on this next song Dil, features again Devika Chawla, it’s a love ballad, with bumpin rhymes of Bohemia. Many female fans of Bohemia will especially appreciate the works on this one, and for all those lovers out there, its gonna be a favorite, something they never got from Pakistani pop and rock, neither from bollywood songs. Its new style and applicable to real life scenarios that effect all of our lives, its not like getting the stars or the moon for ur lover or any other form of shity fairy tail lyrics that we have grown up listening to when it comes to desi music. We needed such change, and Bohemia has brought us this, great innovator !
Desi Munday Pardes De tells the storyz of Desi lads living in the foreign land, hustling and grinding, forming their own identities amongst others in the white mans land. It features Bohemia’s buddy J-Hind who is a talented rapper who also features on the recent Bollywood movie 8x10 Tasveer title song with Bohemia. He’ll be introduced soon on DesiHipHop4Life.Blogspot.com soon. Watch out.
Sahara Lab De was released prior to the albums release in 2008, it features J-Hind again , and he does a brilliant job on this one again. Bohemia asks his creator to give him guidance and protection in this cruel world. The beat is neat and bumps good on the speakerz. Love the lyrics !
Bumpin my song is the third with JHind on it, and big up JHind on this one, awesome skills both of rapping and singing shown by him on this, the lyrics both by JHind and Bohemia are off the hook. This song shows how great Desi Hip Hop is, and as Bohemia says, u should bump it with pride loud and tell everyone about the new movement of Desi Hip Hop. Great stuff there man, cant have enough of it.
The next three songs on the albums, include 2 remixes and an acapella of Dil. It shows the beautiful voice of Devika at its best. The remix of Punjabi Rap Star is an extended mix of the first song, and the love groove mix of Ek tera pyar gives it a smoother touch both are decent mixes of brilliant songs.
Overall the album is 10 out of 10 for me, critics can suck George W Bush’s dick, cuz Bohemia proved he is very very talented indeed, not only has he invented and pioneered a new genre and style of desi music, he also produced a brilliant piece of work that will long bump in the stereos and speakers of desi’s all over the globe. A Killa album that includes 15 tracks, after the 19 from Pesa Nasha Pyar, but we got to bear in mind that he is busy with Bollywood stuff and has come out with great songs over there and there is yet more to come from him and bollwood, so watch out, support Bohemia, love Bohemia , and be true to yourself and take a pride in what you are, ONE LOVE is Bohemia’s message to all the Desi’s out there !
Read more: http://panjabirapper.blogspot.com/
Read more: http://panjabirapper.blogspot.com/
Punjabi Rapper Bohemia is coming back with a brand new album titled Ishq. The title track features renowed Punjabi singer Malkit Singh. The new album is expected to be released soon. The promo of the title track has been released. I loved his last album Pesa Nasha Pyar. I hope the new one will live up to the expectations.
Bohemia - Da Rap Star CD CoverPunjabi rapper Bohemia is going to release his next album titled as Da Rap Star and the release date of Da Rap Star album is 9th April. Recently Bohemia has been involved with several Bollywood projects including two with Bollywood star Akshay Kumar. Bohemia also made a stage appearance during Akshay Kumar’s high profile concert in Hong Kong earlier last year. Bohemia’s latest album Da Rap Star is being released by Universal Music in India. After the Paisa Nasha Pyaar, this most awaited album of Bohemia, He is one of the most popular Punjabi rappers in the world who sing in hardcore rap genere.So THE FANS of BOHEMIA - Get Ready for The Rap StarDa Rap Star Songs List:Guess who’s back album intro Ek tera pyar feat. Devika Punjabi rap star Dil feat Devika Eitbaar (trust me) Ishq feat. Malkit SinghSahara lab de feat. J. Hind Ek tera pyar remix feat Devika Bohemia live ( interview) Gunagaar (sinner) Bumpin my song Dil acapella feat. Devika Desi munde feat read more
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