Dubai: Rapper Bohemia opens up on disillusionment with desi hip-hop, the need for real education, and Kanye West

Dubai: Rapper Bohemia opens up on disillusionment with desi hip-hop, the need for real education, and Kanye West

The pioneering artist spoke his mind on a visit to the Khaleej Times office recently ahead of his show in Dubai

Published: Mon 17 Oct 2022, 10:15 AM Last updated: Mon 17 Oct 2022, 10:50 AM

“It’s sad what has happened to hip-hop music,” lamented Pakistani-American rapper Bohemia during a visit to the Khaleej Times office on Monday, October 10, ahead of his Halloween show in Dubai.

This was just one of many outspoken statements made by this trailblazer of desi hip-hop music who dropped his debut album Vich Pardesan De in 2002.

At a time when most celebrities veer towards political correctness, it was refreshing to strike up a conversation with 42-year-old Bohemia (real name Roger David).

Sporting a $3000 Balenciaga outfit, shades, and a nonchalant swagger that belied the hard-hitting topics he touched upon, the rapper leafed through a copy of City Times, shooting us a few relevant questions before we could kickstart our own set, an early indication perhaps of his later references to the importance of reading and education amongst youth.

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Bohemia - whose hits include Same Beef (featuring the late Sidhu Moosewala) and Meri Jeet - forged a strong connection with rap music when he moved to California from Pakistan as