Friday, March 25, 2011

Bohemia Conflict and Controversy

Bohemia Confilict and Controversy

Bohemia and Bally Sagoo

Chandigarh, Nov 28 2010 (IANS) Calling Britain-based musician Bally Sagoo a 'joker', American Punjabi rapper Bohemia Sunday accused him of taking undue advantage of his popularity and making wrong statements in the media.

Bohemia was visibly irritated with the recent statement of Bally in which he had claimed to bring the rapper into the limelight.

'It is wrong to say that Bally Sagoo brought me to the limelight. I am here only because of my own talent and creativity. In fact Bally used me to gain audiences and to create hype during his own shows. He is telling a lie. He is not a musician or a lyricist, he has not even written a single line till date,' said Bohemia, while talking to reporters here Sunday.

'But yes, he brought musicians from different countries to the forefront. Bally had money and he could do this. But I was only 16 when I left my home. I had no money and I was on the streets but today I am charging three times money as compared to Bally for a show.'

Bohemia was in this union territory to perform on the concluding day of the three-day Chandigarh carnival Sunday evening

'Bally is a joker, he wanted to use me as hype. He never made music and people like him are always afraid of me. Initially, I thought all of them were like me but nobody can compare me with them,' Bohemia said.

'I scrapped my relations with Bally during a show in the US. I was just over with my power-packed performance in which I had actually screamed my heart out. Immediately after it, Bali wanted me to go on stage because he was not confident about his own performance. I refused and ended my relationship with him.'

The controversy increased when Bohemia also condemned the Universal Music Group Pvt. Ltd. India.

'Universal music also tells people that they have made Bohemia, it is again wrong. I cannot give any credit to Bally or to Universal. I have 100 percent rights on my music, concept and lyrics; even the graphics and fonts on the CD cover are also decided by me. I only needed them to distribute my music,' Bohemia said.



Bohemia Canada border Issue


2007 Rapper Bohemia, who was scheduled to appear live at the Croatian Cultural Center in Vancouver, was refused entry to Canada on Friday and detained for 8 hours in a holding cell by Immigration Canada, said the concert promoter. "The version we got from Immigration Canada was vague because of their confidentiality and privacy laws," said Jhind of Dream Time Records LA, who was accompanying The Punjabi Rapper "Bohemia and his entourage arrived Friday at 10 a.m. from Oakland. Every member of his entourage was allowed in except him. All the paperwork was fine. "Bohemia felt he was waiting too long. You could tell he was getting aggravated," Jhind said "He was asked a few questions by the immigration officer and was detained and put under watch. Then he was escorted out at 7:00 p.m. the same night."

Through an unconfirmed source, The Punjabi Rapper might have been denied entry into Canada because a criminal charge was laid against him two years ago in the United States. An official at Immigration Canada said he could not discuss the specifics of individual cases, but confirmed the rapper was denied entry into the country. "Normally, someone coming here as an entertainer is referred to us," said Jean Edmonds, manager of Immigration Canada for Vancouver. "I can't comment on whether he has (a criminal record) or not, but individuals with a criminal record would have problems entering unless they had prior consent." Officials would not comment on whether the rapper was detained at the Vancouver airport, but they confirmed, "individuals who are denied entry are sometimes held until the next available flight." At the Croatian Cultural Center in Vancouver where the much anticipated debut appearance was to take place, an announcement was made for the crowd, followed by tracks from Bohemia's latest album blasting through the loud speakers. The Punjabi rapper's follow up Sunday performance in Edmonton was also cancelled. Jhind said Bohemia was arrested two years before he tried to enter Canada, but was not sure what he has been charged with. "It appeared as it the Canadian Officials had his whole Rap Sheet -- it had all his charges listed on it -- I guess they were holding him on that and questioning him on that. They kept him in the immigration interview for a few hours." The 25-year old Bohemia is widely recognized as the pioneer of 'Desi-Hip-Hip'. His latest album 'Pesa Nasha Pyar' [Money, Drugs, Love] under the Music Mogul Universal Records India and Ishq Records UK was released in April 2006 and remain in the Top Ten for 7 weeks in India. Many recent performers brought to the city from the U.S. by local promoters have faced hassles at the Vancouver International Airport, including Eminem and DJ Clue. "Bohemia's management is in contact with the Canadian promoters in efforts to organize a makeup date," Jhind said. "However, I firmly believe there is a red flag on Bohemia's name. He may not get into Canada even with a minister's pardon due to heighten security by Immigration Canada and given his [Bohemia] record. Many eager fans paid the VIP $65 looking forward to meet the king of Punjabi Rap in-person.

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