Bohemia in Pakistan

Published September 5, 2010

“Can we beat the storm?” asks the international rap star

 

“What if we all come together and be the support that we need right now?” asks Bohemia in a YouTube video (with background music from the song, Dewaana, from his latest album) announcing his impending arrival in Pakistan, “Should we fight back? Can we beat the storm? Pakistan, I want you all to come together and join me.”


He is the first international act to host concerts to raise funds for the aid of the flood-affected victims. Bohemia will be performing later this month in Islamabad and Lahore.


For those not in the know, Bohemia is an international rap artist, singer and producer who has won numerous accolades for his music from the time he released his debut album, Vich Pardesan De (In foreign lands) in 2002. In 2006 he released Pesa Nasha Pyaar (Money, addiction, love) and in 2009 he released his latest album, Da Rap Star. His work in Bollywood includes writing and producing the title track for Chandni Chowk to China.


Bohemia's real name is Roger David and he has ancestry from Pakistan, with both of his parents hailing from this country. He is singlehandedly responsible for introducing the genre of Punjabi rap into mainstream music.


His album Vich Pardesan De was one of the top 10 numbers on BBC Radio1 in the United Kingdom. Pesa Nasha Pyaar was number two on Maxim Magazine's top 10 list and Da Rap Star has so far received over four nominations at the UK Asian Muisc Awards and the Punjabi Music Awards. Those include nominations for Best Punjabi Album and Best Music Director. He is one of the best-selling artistes of the year for the Universal Music Group in India.

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