Bohemia

Roger David (born 15 October 1979), known professionally as Bohemia, is a Pakistani-American singer-songwriter, rapper and record producer. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of the Desi hip hop industry and is mainly associated with Punjabi hip-hop music.

Early and personal life Bohemia was born on 15 October 1979 in Karachi, Sindh, to a Punjabi Christian family originally from Lahore, Punjab. He was raised and educated 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 – 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.

His following sophomore album, Pesa Nasha Pyar became the first full-length Punjabi rap album to be 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, the album was finally released. The album also featured veteran American rapper Snoop Dogg, which marked the first international hip hop collaboration in the desi hip-hop scene. 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. Around the same time, his first album Vich Pardesan De got 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 also performed the title track for another film featuring Akshay Kumar, 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 studio 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. after releasing the first single, "Zamana Jali" on 18 October 2016 and the second single "Meri Jeet" on 7 February 2017, just a week before the album's release.

On 26 July 2018, he released the 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 the first original single "Koi Farak Nahi" for his EP Skull & Bones: Volume 2. In an interview, Bohemia stated his album was going to be released as an EP, but all the songs were eventually released as singles.

At the end of 2018, Bohemia embarked on a tour in India, where he performed in Chandigarh, Delhi, Mumbai, and Rajasthan. He also appeared on an episode of McDowell's No.1 Yaari Jam alongside Raftaar and Salim Merchant.

In February 2019, Bohemia released the third single "Umeed" from his EP Skull and Bones: Volume 2. In the following month, he also collaborated with Indian rapper Sidhu Moose Wala on the song "Same Beef".

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 guest appearances from artists like Noveen Morris and many more. The music of the album was produced by Deep Jandu.

In April 2024, he released his sixth studio album, Rap Star Reloaded, comprising 10 tracks.

Awards and nominations

Best Punjabi Album at PTC Punjabi Music Awards

Best Sound Recording at PTC Punjabi Music Awards

Best Punjabi Music Director at PTC Punjabi Music Awards

Best International Album at UK Asian Music Awards

Best International Album at PTC Punjabi Music Awards

Award of Excellence - Music at Festival Of Globe

Make it large at Mirchi Music Awards Punjabi

Best Duo at PTC Punjabi Music Awards

Best Duo at PTC Punjabi Music Awards

Best Duo at PTC Punjabi Music Awards

International Punjabi Icon at PTC Punjabi Music Awards

Best Music Video at PTC Music Awards Discography

Studio albums Title Album details Vich Pardesan De

Released: 2002 Label: Outfit Entertainment, Under Exclusive License From Universal Music India Pvt Ltd Format: CD, Digital download, streaming Pesa Nasha Pyar Released: 2006 Label: Outfit Entertainment, Under Exclusive License From Universal Music India Pvt Ltd 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: Digital download, streamingRap Star Reloaded Released: 20 April 2024 Music: Bohemia Label: Saga Music Format: Digital download, streaming

Mixtapes Title Details KDM Mixtape Volume 1

Released: 2016 Label: Kali Denali Music Format: CD, Digital download, streaming

Extended Plays Bohemia EP (2025) Released on 28 March 2025, this is Bohemia's first official EP featuring six tracks.

+ Track listing – Bohemia EP Track No. Title Duration 1 I'm Gone 3:11 2 School 3:20 3 Maureen 4:19 4 Call Me 3:51 5 Baby 3:38 6 Monkey 4:56

Singles discography

As lead artist Track Year Peak chart positionMusic AlbumUK AsianUK PunjabiAll Around The World(featuring AMAN (Amaar & Siege)) 2003 Bohemia Evury day 2006 Keep It G(featuring Kurupt) 2007 Kala Doriya(featuring Dj Chintu) 2009 Chalo(featuring IQ) Sher-E-Punjab(featuring Mika Singh) Mika Singh Dunali(featuring Mika Singh) Bohemia ft. Mika Singh My Shoes(featuring MiddleMan & Mr. Kay) 2010 Bohemia Sh Sh Sharabi(featuring Gippy Grewal) Sukshinder Shinda What Have I Learned(featuring Jennifer) Bohemia Bohemia Paigam Rooh (the Soul) 2013 Rooh Remix (ft. Pardhaan) Phenomenon 2014 Brand New Swag(ft. Haji Springer & Panda) Yaad Anah Wake N Bake (ft. Avenue OB) Avenue OB Main Bohemia Salute 2015Taur(featuring Gippy Grewal) Haji Springer FaraarMere Baare Muqabla 2016Haji Springer & Shaxe Oriah KDM Mixtape Vol. 1Gametime Gang Bang Operation(with Deep Jandu Club Pub(with Sukh-E & Ramji Gulati & Ali Quli Mirza) Ali Quli MirzaMTBK (with Lazarus ft. Deep Jandu & Shaxe Oriah) 2017Shaxe Oriah (ft. Pardhaan)Sukh EKhatra (with Abrar-Ul-Haq)Saga Music & Kali Denali Music Crown Prince

As featured artist

Track Year Peak chart positionsMusic AlbumNotesUK Asian UK PunjabiHoli Holi Nach(Tarsame Singh Saini ft. Bohemia) 2010Tarsame Singh Saini Hathiyar(Gitta Bains ft. Bohemia)Jatinder Shah Daru(Gitta Bains ft. Bohemia)Gitta Bains Bandookaan(Desi Beam ft. Bohemia)2011 Desi Beam Jee Karda(Bobby B ft. Bohemia)Bobby B Maar Charapa(Sir Punj ft. Bohemia)

2012Sir Punj & Rishi Rich (Unreleased Track) Adhi Raat(Jasmine Sandlas ft. Bohemia)Bohemia Jaane Jana (J.Hind ft. Bohemia)J.Hind Talli (Gitta Bains ft. Bohemia)Tigerstyle My Ride Remix(The Bilz & Kashif ft. Glasses Malone, Bohemia, Drega, Nivla)

2013Bad Boy(D Major ft. Bohemia)

2014Tigerstyle Preet(Haji Springer ft. Pree Mayall & Bohemia)Haji Springer U n Me(Sean Kingston ft. Sonu Kakkar, & Bohemia)Iraj Akkha Mumbai(Mun E. Fame ft. Bohemia)Mun E. Fame Fire(Gitta Bains ft. Bohemia)Haji Springer Saheli(Gurdeep Mehndi ft. Bohemia)Gurdeep Mehndi Meri Bandook(Haji Springer ft. Bohemia) Haji Springer Devil inside(Haji Springer ft. Bohemia) 2015 Haji Springer Koi Ni Parwaa (Haji Springer ft. Bohemia)Haji Springer Jaguar(Sukh-E ft. Bohemia) Sukh-E Tension Stress (Bengali)(Master-D ft. Bohemia) Master-D Yaaran De Siran Te (Nishawn Bhullar ft. Bohemia) Rupin Kahlon Akhiyaan (Tony Kakkar ft. Neha Kakkar Bohemia)Tony Kakkar Akhiyaan Unplugged(Tony Kakkar ft. Neha Kakkar Bohemia) Tony Kakkar Stolen(Sahyba ft. Bohemia) Rishi Rich Patola(Guru Randhawa ft. Bohemia) Preet Hundal Level(SunnyBoy ft. Haji Springer Bohemia) Haji Springer Muqabala(K. S. Makhan ft. Bohemia) Prince G Setti(Gippy Grewal ft. Bohemia) 2016 Jatinder Shah Zaalima(Waqar Ex ft. Bohemia) The Magician Challa(Gitta Bains ft. Bohemia) Deep Jandu Hathyar 2(Gitta Bains ft. Bohemia) Deep Jandu Teri Kamar Pe(Tony Kakkar ft. Bohemia) Tony Kakkar Tamasha(Sajjad Ali ft. Bohemia) 2017 Sajjad Ali Weed Da Saroor(J Lucky ft. Bohemia) Deep Jandu Nothing (Remix)(Raxstar ft. Bohemia) DJ Harpz No Make Up(Bilal Saeed ft. Bohemia) Bloodline Music Patake(Satti Satvinder ft. Bohemia)Haji SpringerGold Digger(Gud Luck ft. Bohemia)Deep JanduThoddi Wala Till(Simranjeet Singh ft. Bohemia)Mix SinghCar Nachdi(Gippy Grewal ft. Bohemia)B PraakDada Giri(Sab Bhanot ft. Bohemia)Sab BhanotG Wagon(Goldy Goraya ft. Bohemia)Deep JanduMahi Aaja(Rahul ft. Bohemia)BohemiaThinking About You(Sofia Chaudry ft. Bohemia)BohemiaZeher(Deep Money ft. Bohemia)2018Deep MoneyGood Life(Deep Jandu ft. Bohemia)Deep JanduMalang(Balsehri ft. Bohemia)Prince SagguWoofer(Vicky ft. Bohemia)Sukh-E Muzical DoctorzMai Terra Akshay(Babbal Rai ft. Bohemia)B PraakUnity(Karan Aujla ft. Bohemia)Deep JanduMunde Mar Jaange(Raghveer Boli ft. Bohemia)Jay KShoulder(Jaggi Jagowal & Karam Jeet ft. Bohemia)Laddi GillRajj Rajj Ankhiyan Roiyan(Mamta Sharma ft Bohemia)Ramji GulatiManaka Da Munda(Jass Manak ft. Bohemia)2019Sukhe Musical DoctorzAssi Trendsetter(Meet Bros Ft. Bohemia)Meet BrosPagol (Bengali)(Deep Jandu Ft. Bohemia)J StatikKhaas Bande(Gagan Kokri ft. Bohemia)Randy JKhatarnaak(Gippy Grewal ft. Bohemia)Desi Crew"Attitude" (Raman Romana ft. Bohemia)2020Mr. WOWLyrics: Deep FatehSharabi Teri Tor(Jays Atwal ft. Bohemia)Shaxe OriahOne X Artist Lyrics: Happy RaikotiBlack EyeBrow(Lucky Love ft. Bohemia & Pallavi Sood)Prabh Neeaar Lyrics: SK SahibMutiyaare Ni(Jassa Dhillon Ft. Bohemia)Gur SidhuYash Raj Films & Saga MusicKingdom(Gagan Kokri ft. Bohemia & Shree Brar)2021Ronn SandhuSaga MusicThese Days(Sidhu Moose Wala ft. Bohemia)82The KiddMoosetapeStarboy(Jass Manak ft. Bohemia)Sharry NexusBad MundaMastani(Varinder Brar ft. Bohemia)Gill SaabWhite Hill MusicWithout You (Tere Bina)(Flint J Ft. Bohemia)2022Arbaz KhanBeyond RecordsKala Tikka La Goriye(Zohaib Aslam ft. Bohemia)Arbaz KhanBeyond RecordsPunjabiyan Di Dhee(Guru Randhawa ft. Bohemia & Neeru Bajwa)Preet HundalT-SeriesKaliyan Raatan( Jays Atwal Ft Bohemia )2025Supernova MuzicOne X Artist By Jays AtwalReshami Rumal (Rohanpreet Singh ft. Bohemia)Mix SinghSaga Music"Sawal Puchdi" Yo Yo Honey Singh51 Glorious DaysT-Series

Coke Studio "School Di Kitaab" "Paisay Da Nasha" "Kandyaari Dhol Geet" "Saari Duniya"

MTV Spoken Worde "Purana Wala" "Jaane Jana"

Film soundtracks