# Bohemia (rapper)

Roger David (Punjabi: راجر ڈیوڈ, pronounced; born 15 October 1979), better known by his stage name Bohemia (pronounced), is a Pakistani-American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer, mainly associated with Punjabi language music industry. He is considered to be the pioneer of the Desi hip hop industry.

## Early and personal life

Bohemia was born on 15 October 1979 to a Punjabi Christian family in Karachi, Sindh and received his education in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. At the age of 13, he moved to the United States with his family. Bohemia married Sunny David on 13 June 2017 in a small ceremony in the Bay Area of San Francisco, California.

## Career

In early 2000, 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 (Seth Agress). Discovering that they both shared a deep interest in music, they made plans to form their own record label, which they subsequently called "The Outfit Entertainment". After Sha heard Bohemia reciting something he had written in Punjabi he asked him to rap it over one of his beats. Over the next few months, he wrote a library of lyrics. This would become the arsenal for his debut album Vich Pardesan De (In The Foreign Land) – an autobiographical story of his life as a Desi youngster adapting to the streets of America, which he and Sha One produced together. Their first single "Sha Te Ra" was released as a music video, but the song itself was not included on Vich Pardesan De.
The following album, Pesa Nasha Pyar [Money, Intoxication, Love] became the first full-length Punjabi rap album released by a major label. It was recorded and produced by Sha One and Bohemia in their downtown Oakland studio. After nearly two years of perfecting their sound and style, a seamless fusion of Bohemia's Punjabi vocals, and Sha One's English hooks, the album was finally released. He subsequently signed a multi-record deal with music label Universal Music Group. In 2006, Pesa Nasha Pyar was on the Top 10 downloads of Maxim, and No. 3 on Planet M chart India. His first album Vich Pardesan De get nominated in BBC UK top ten albums. Da Rap Star, his third album, received four nominations at the UK Asian Music Awards and PTC Punjabi music awards. It also remained at No. 1 on Planet M chart for several weeks.
He performed the title track for Warner Bros film Chandni Chowk To China, appearing in the film with Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone. A few months later he did the title track for another Akshay Kumar film, 8 x 10 Tasveer. In 2011, he gave a song as a present to Akshay Kumar for his first Hollywood production Breakaway.
In May 2012, Sony Music India signed Bohemia. As part of the association, Sony Music managed his music albums, launches and shows under its management program.
In September 2012, he released his fourth album Thousand Thoughts. In 2013, it won Best Non-Resident Punjabi Album award at PTC Punjabi Music Awards. At the Coke Studio Sessions, he was the first rap artist, appearing in their fifth season where he performed three songs. Bohemia has also recorded a collaboration with Sonu Kakkar and Jamaican American artist Sean Kingston.
In 2015, Bohemia & J.Hind launched their own music label Kali Denali Music. Bohemia has since departed the company & J.Hind is currently the CEO. Bohemia appeared in XXL magazine in New York.
In 2017, Bohemia released his latest album Skull & Bones: The Final Chapter.
On 26 July 2018, first single "Sandesa" from his EP "Skull & Bones: Volume 2" was released, which turned out to be a remixed version of one of his unreleased singles. On 27 November 2018, Bohemia released first original single "Koi Farak Nahi" for his EP Skull & Bones: Volume 2. In an interview Bohemia said that he is coming back with his brand new album Skull and Bones Volume 2 which later got released as an EP. All the songs in it were got released as singles instead of a single unit album.
At the end of 2018, Bohemia went on a tour in India, where he performed in Chandigarh, Delhi, Mumbai, and Rajasthan. He also appeared on an Episode on No.1 Yaarian With Raftaar and Salim Merchant.
In February 2019, Bohemia released the third single "Umeed" from his EP Skull and Bones Volume 2.
In April 2022, Bohemia released his fifth studio album named as "I Am I.C.O.N" (In Control Of Nothing) In this album Bohemia features multiple new talented artists like Noveen Morris and many more The music of the album produced by Deep Jandu

## 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 |
| 2015 | "Excellence Music" | Award of Excellence - Music at Festival Of Globe | Won |
| 2015 | "Music Career" | Make it large at Mirchi Music Awards Punjabi | Won |
| 2016 | "Jaguar" | Best Duo at PTC Punjabi Music Awards | Nominated |
| 2016 | "Patola" | Best Duo at PTC Punjabi Music Awards | Won |
| 2017 | "Hathiyar 2" | Best Duo at PTC Punjabi Music Awards | Nominated |
| 2018 | "Special Award" | International Punjabi Icon at PTC Punjabi Music Awards | Won |
| 2020 | "Pagol" | Best Music Video at PTC Music Awards | Won |

## Discography
### Studio albums

| Title | Album details |
| Vich Pardesan De | Released: 2002 Label: The Outfit Entertainment Format: CD, Digital download, streaming |
| Pesa Nasha Pyar | Released: 1 January 2006 Label: Universal Music India Format: CD, Digital download, streaming |
| Da Rap Star | Released: 2009 Label: Universal Music India Format: CD, Digital download, streaming |
| Thousand Thoughts | Released: 4 September 2012 Label: Sony Music India Format: CD, Digital download, streaming |
| Skull & Bones: The Final Chapter | Released: 18 October 2016 Label: T-Series Format: CD, Digital download, streaming |
| I AM I.C.O.N: In control of nothing | Released: 20 April 2022 Music: Deep Jandu Label: Geet Mp3 Format: CD, Digital download, streaming |
| Rap Star Reloaded | Released: 20 April 2024 Music: Bohemia Label: Saga Music Format: CD, Digital download, streaming |

### Mixtapes

| Title | Details |
| KDM Mixtape Volume 1 | Released: 2016 Label: Kali Denali Music Format: CD, Digital download, streaming |

## Singles discography
### As lead artist

| Track | Year | Peak chart position | Peak chart position | Music | Album |
| Track | Year | UK Asian | UK Punjabi | Music | Album |
| All Around The World (featuring AMAN (Amaar & Siege)) | 2003 | | | Bohemia | |
| Evury day | 2006 | | | Bohemia | |
| Keep It G (featuring Kurupt) | 2007 | | | Bohemia | |
| Kala Doriya (featuring Dj Chintu) | 2009 | | | Bohemia | |
| Chalo (featuring IQ) | 2009 | | | Bohemia | |
| Sher-E-Punjab (featuring Mika Singh) | 2009 | | | Mika Singh | |
| Dunali (featuring Mika Singh) | 2009 | | | Bohemia ft. Mika Singh | |
| My Shoes (featuring MiddleMan & Mr. Kay) | 2010 | | | Bohemia | |
| Sh Sh Sharabi (featuring Gippy Grewal) | 2010 | | | Sukshinder Shinda | |
| What Have I Learned (featuring Jennifer) | 2010 | | | Bohemia | |
| Bulawa (featuring Pakman & D-Naar) | 2011 | | | Bohemia | |
| Paisay Da Nasha (with Rohail Hyatt) | 2012 | | | Rohail Hyaat | Coke Studio Sessions: Season 5 |
| School Di Kitaab (with Rohail Hyatt) | 2012 | | | Rohail Hyaat | Coke Studio Sessions: Season 5 |
| Kandyaari Dhol Geet (with Chakwal Group & Rohail Hyatt) | 2012 | | | Rohail Hyaat | Coke Studio Sessions: Season 5 |
| yaad anah (featuring Mixman Shawn) | 2012 | | | Bohemia | |
| Paigam | 2012 | | | Bohemia | |
| Rooh (the Soul) | 2013 | | | Bohemia | |
| Rooh Remix (ft. Pardhaan) | 2013 | | | Bohemia | |
| Phenomenon | 2014 | | | Bohemia | |
| Brand New Swag (ft. Haji Springer & Panda) | 2014 | | | Bohemia | |
| Yaad Anah | 2014 | | | Bohemia | |
| Wake N Bake (ft. Avenue OB) | 2014 | | | Avenue OB | |
| Main | 2014 | | | Bohemia | |
| Salute | 2015 | | | Bohemia | |
| Taur (featuring Gippy Grewal) | 2015 | | | Haji Springer | Faraar soundtrack |
| Mere Baare | 2015 | | | Haji Springer | |
| Muqabla (J.Hind Bohemia Shaxe Oriah) | 2016 | | | Haji Springer & Shaxe Oriah | KDM Mixtape vol 1 |
| Gametime (Bohemia J.Hind Shaxe Oriah Pardhaan Haji Springer Raxstar 3AM Sukhi Young Desi Gangis Khan Deep Jandu) | 2016 | | | Haji Springer & Shaxe Oriah | KDM Mixtape vol 1 |
| Gang Bang Operation (with Gitta Bains Bohemia Doughboi Fiji) | 2016 | | | Deep Jandu | |
| Club Pub (with Sukh-E & Ramji Gulati & Ali Quli Mirza) | 2016 | | | Ali Quli Mirza | |
| MTBK (with Lazarus ft. Deep Jandu & Shaxe Oriah) | 2017 | | | Shaxe Oriah | |
| Purana Wala | 2017 | | | Bohemia | MTV Spoken Word |
| Jaane Jana (with J Hind) | 2017 | | | Shaxe Oriah | MTV Spoken Word |
| Gumrah | 2018 | | | Bohemia | Skulls and Bones V2 |
| Gaddi (ft. Pardhaan) | 2018 | | | Sukh E | |
| Khatra (ft. Gitta Bains) | 2018 | | | Prabh Near | |
| I Don't Wanna Say That (ft Gitta Bains & Gurlez Akhtar) | 2018 | | | Prabh Near | |
| Sandesa | 2018 | | | Bohemia | |
| Aaja Ni Aaja | 2018 | | | DJ Shadow Dubai | |
| Oh Kudi (with Sab Bhanot) | 2018 | | | Bohemia | |
| Jackpot (with Asif Ballaj) | 2018 | | | Ali Mustafa | |
| Robo The Punjabi Lion Anthem | 2019 | | | Bohemia | |
| FOREIGN (with 3AM Sukhi & J.HIND) | 2019 | | | Haji Springer | |
| Umeed | 2019 | | | Bohemia | Skull and Bones V2 (SNBV2) |
| Same Beef (featuring Sidhu Moose Wala) | 2019 | 24 | 11 | Byg Byrd | |
| Kadi Kadi | 2019 | | | Bohemia | |
| Virus | 2020 | | | Bohemia | Skull and Bones V2 |
| "Phir Ek Tera Pyar" (featuring Devika) | 2020 | | | Shaxe Oriah | |
| Nishana (featuring Jazzy B) | 2020 | | | Shaxe Oriah (Lyrics: Bohemia & Gitta Bains) | |
| Kaisa Nasha (with Noveen Morris, j.hind & Deepak Godiyal) | 2020 | | | Shaxe Oriah | KDM Playlist Vol. 1 |
| "Aish" | 2020 | | | UV Beats & Hystayx | Skull and Bones V2 |
| "Paar" (with Abrar-Ul-Haq) | 2020 | | | Saga Music & Kali Denali Music | |
| Crown Prince (Ft. Jazzy B) | 2020 | | | Harj Nagra (Lyrics: Parry Sarpanch) | |
| Raaz | 2020 | | | Bohemia | Skull and Bones V2 |
| Ek Din (featuring Karan Aujla, J.Hind, The Game) | 2020 | | | Shaxe Oriah | |
| Saari Duniya | 2020 | | | Rohail Hyatt | Coke Studio 2020 |
| Ajnabi | 2022 | | | Bohemia | |
| Tumhara Pyar | 2022 | | | Deep Jandu | I Am I.C.O.N. |

### As featured artist

| Track | Year | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Music | Album | Notes |
| Track | Year | UK Asian | UK Punjabi | Music | Album | Notes |
| Holi Holi Nach (Tarsame Singh Saini ft. Bohemia) | 2010 | | | Tarsame Singh Saini | | |
| Hathiyar (Gitta Bains ft. Bohemia) | 2010 | | | Jatinder Shah | | |
| Daru (Gitta Bains ft. Bohemia) | 2010 | | | Gitta Bains | | |
| Bandookaan (Desi Beam ft. Bohemia) | 2011 | | | Desi Beam | | |
| Jee Karda (Bobby B ft. Bohemia) | 2011 | | | Bobby B | | |
| Maar Charapa (Sir Punj ft. Bohemia) | 2012 | | | Sir Punj & Rishi Rich (Unreleased Track) | | |
| Adhi Raat (Jasmine Sandlas ft. Bohemia) | 2012 | | | Bohemia | | |
| Jaane Jana (J.Hind ft. Bohemia) | 2012 | | | J.Hind | | |
| Talli (Gitta Bains ft. Bohemia) | 2012 | | | Tigerstyle | | |
| My Ride Remix (The Bilz & Kashif ft. Glasses Malone, Bohemia, Drega, Nivla) | 2013 | | | | | |
| Bad Boy (D Major ft. Bohemia) | 2014 | | | Tigerstyle | | |
| Preet (Haji Springer ft. Pree Mayall & Bohemia) | 2014 | | | Haji Springer | | |
| U n Me (Sean Kingston ft. Sonu Kakkar, & Bohemia) | 2014 | | | Iraj | | |
| Akkha Mumbai (Mun E. Fame ft. Bohemia) | 2014 | | | Mun E. Fame | | |
| Fire (Gitta Bains ft. Bohemia) | 2014 | | | Haji Springer | | |
| Saheli (Gurdeep Mehndi ft. Bohemia) | 2014 | | | Gurdeep Mehndi | | |
| Meri Bandook (Haji Springer ft. Bohemia) | 2014 | | | Haji Springer | | |
| Devil inside (Haji Springer ft. Bohemia) | 2015 | | | Haji Springer | | |
| Koi Ni Parwaa (Haji Springer ft. Bohemia) | 2015 | | | Haji Springer | | |
| Jaguar (Sukh-E ft. Bohemia) | 2015 | | | Sukh-E | | |
| Tension Stress (Bengali) (Master-D ft. Bohemia) | 2015 | | | Master-D | | |
| Yaaran De Siran Te (Nishawn Bhullar ft. Bohemia) | 2015 | | | Rupin Kahlon | | |
| Akhiyaan (Tony Kakkar ft. Neha Kakkar Bohemia) | 2015 | | | Tony Kakkar | | |
| Akhiyaan Unplugged(Tony Kakkar ft. Neha Kakkar Bohemia) | 2015 | | | Tony Kakkar | | |
| Stolen (Sahyba ft. Bohemia) | 2015 | | | Rishi Rich | | |
| Patola (Guru Randhawa ft. Bohemia) | 2015 | | | Preet Hundal | | |
| Level(SunnyBoy ft. Haji Springer Bohemia) | 2015 | | | Haji Springer | | |
| Muqabala (K. S. Makhan ft. Bohemia) | 2015 | | | Prince G | | |
| Setti (Gippy Grewal ft. Bohemia) | 2016 | | | Jatinder Shah | | |
| Zaalima (Waqar Ex ft. Bohemia) | 2016 | | | The Magician | | |
| Challa (Gitta Bains ft. Bohemia) | 2016 | | | Deep Jandu | | |
| Hathyar 2 (Gitta Bains ft. Bohemia) | 2016 | | | Deep Jandu | | |
| Teri Kamar Pe (Tony Kakkar ft. Bohemia) | 2016 | | | Tony Kakkar | | |
| Tamasha (Sajjad Ali ft. Bohemia) | 2017 | | | Sajjad Ali | | |
| Weed Da Saroor (J Lucky ft. Bohemia) | 2017 | | | Deep Jandu | | |
| Nothing (Remix) (Raxstar ft. Bohemia) | 2017 | | | DJ Harpz | | |
| No Make Up (Bilal Saeed ft. Bohemia) | 2017 | | | Bloodline Music | | |
| Patake (Satti Satvinder ft. Bohemia) | 2017 | | | Haji Springer | | |
| Gold Digger (Gud Luck ft. Bohemia) | 2017 | | | Deep Jandu | | |
| Thoddi Wala Till (Simranjeet Singh ft. Bohemia) | 2017 | | | Mix Singh | | |
| Car Nachdi (Gippy Grewal ft. Bohemia) | 2017 | | | B Praak | | |
| Dada Giri (Sab Bhanot ft. Bohemia) | 2017 | | | Sab Bhanot | | |
| G Wagon (Goldy Goraya ft. Bohemia) | 2017 | | | Deep Jandu | | |
| Mahi Aaja (Rahul ft. Bohemia) | 2017 | | | Bohemia | | |
| Thinking About You (Sofia Chaudry ft. Bohemia) | 2017 | | | Bohemia | | |
| Zeher (Deep Money ft. Bohemia) | 2018 | | | Deep Money | | |
| Good Life (Deep Jandu ft. Bohemia) | 2018 | | | Deep Jandu | | |
| Malang (Balsehri ft. Bohemia) | 2018 | | | Prince Saggu | | |
| Woofer (Vicky ft. Bohemia) | 2018 | | | Sukh-E Muzical Doctorz | | |
| Mai Terra Akshay (Babbal Rai ft. Bohemia) | 2018 | | | B Praak | | |
| Unity (Karan Aujla ft. Bohemia) | 2018 | | | Deep Jandu | | |
| Munde Mar Jaange (Raghveer Boli ft. Bohemia) | 2018 | | | Jay K | | |
| Shoulder (Jaggi Jagowal & Karam Jeet ft. Bohemia) | 2018 | | | Laddi Gill | | |
| Rajj Rajj Ankhiyan Roiyan (Mamta Sharma ft Bohemia) | 2018 | | | Ramji Gulati | | |
| Manaka Da Munda (Jass Manak ft. Bohemia) | 2019 | | | Sukhe Musical Doctorz | | |
| Assi Trendsetter (Meet Bros Ft. Bohemia) | 2019 | | | Meet Bros | | |
| Pagol (Bengali) (Deep Jandu Ft. Bohemia) | 2019 | | | J Statik | | |
| Khaas Bande (Gagan Kokri ft. Bohemia) | 2019 | | | Randy J | | |
| Khatarnaak (Gippy Grewal ft. Bohemia) | 2019 | | | Desi Crew | | |
| "Attitude" (Raman Romana ft. Bohemia) | 2020 | | | Mr. WOW | | Lyrics: Deep Fateh |
| Sharabi Teri Tor (JS Atwal ft. Bohemia) | 2020 | | | Shaxe Oriah | | White Magic Music Lyrics: Happy Raikoti |
| Black EyeBrow (Lucky Love ft. Bohemia & Pallavi Sood) | 2020 | | | Prabh Neeaar | | Lyrics: SK Sahib |
| Mutiyaare Ni (Jassa Dhillon Ft. Bohemia) | 2020 | | | Gur Sidhu | | Yash Raj Films & Saga Music |
| Kingdom (Gagan Kokri ft. Bohemia & Shree Brar) | 2021 | | | Ronn Sandhu | | Saga Music |
| These Days (Sidhu Moose Wala ft. Bohemia) | 2021 | 8 | 2 | The Kidd | Moosetape | |
| Starboy (Jass Manak ft. Bohemia) | 2021 | | | Sharry Nexus | Bad Munda | |
| Mastani (Varinder Brar ft. Bohemia) | 2021 | | | Gill Saab | | White Hill Music |
| Without You (Tere Bina) (Flint J Ft. Bohemia) | 2022 | | | Arbaz Khan | | Beyond Records |
| Kala Tikka La Goriye (Zohaib Aslam ft. Bohemia) | 2022 | | | Arbaz Khan | | Beyond Records |
| Punjabiyan Di Dhee (Guru Randhawa ft. Bohemia & Neeru Bajwa) | 2022 | | | Preet Hundal | | T-Series |

### Coke Studio

* School Di Kitaab
* Paisay Da Nasha
* Kandyaari Dhol Geet
* Saari Duniya

### MTV Spoken Word

* Purana Wala
* Jaane Jana

### Film soundtracks

| Movie | Year | Song | Music | Co-artist(s) | Note |
| Chandni Chowk to China | 2009 | Chandni Chowk to China (CC2C) | Bohemia | Akshay Kumar | |
| 8 x 10 Tasveer | 2009 | I Got the Picture | Bohemia | J.Hind | |
| 8 x 10 Tasveer | 2009 | I Got the Picture (Remix) | Bohemia | J.Hind | |
| Breakaway | 2011 | Sansaar | Sandeep Chowta | | Canadian English/Punjabi film |
| Desi Boyz | 2011 | Subha Hone Na De | Pritam | Mika Singh, Shefali Alvares, Yo Yo Honey Singh | |
| Desi Boyz | 2011 | Tu Mera Hero (Subha Hone Na De) | Pritam | Mika Singh, Shefali Alvares |
| Desi Boyz | 2011 | Subha Hone Na De (Remix) | Pritam | Mika Singh, Shefali Alvares | |
| Faraar | 2015 | Taur | Bohemia | Gippy Grewal | Punjabi film |
| Dishoom | 2016 | Subha Hone Na De (Remix) | Pritam | Mika Singh, Shefali Alvares | |
| Street Dancer 3D | 2020 | Dua Karo | Sachin–Jigar | Arijit Singh | |
| Street Dancer 3D | 2020 | Maraven Yen Adayaalam | Sachin–Jigar | Amit Mishra | Tamil Version |
| Street Dancer 3D | 2020 | O Deva Deva | Sachin–Jigar | Amit Mishra | Telugu version |
| Bunty Aur Babli 2 | 2021 | Bunty Aur Babli - Title Track | Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy | Siddharth Mahadevan | |