If anyone was responsible of raising the Lebanese song upon the Arabic world
in the 1990’s, it’d be Najwa Karam. She is one of the most famous and most
active Lebanese singers.
Her talent, strong voice, looks, intelligence and
management team have made her unique, what made all her music fans agree
that no one can compete with her and her talent. Najwa was born on February
26, 1966, In Zahle, the youngest of four children.
She spent her childhood
in Zahle, under the protection of her parents and brothers, whom always
filled it with happiness and joy. She graduated with a philosophy
Certificate and worked as a teacher for two years. In 1985, she started her
singing career after participating in “Lyali Lobnan” and being awarded with
a golden medal.
She
joined the institute of music for four years. Two years with ZakiNasif, and
two others with Foad Awad. Her first album “Ya Habayeb” was realized in
1989, but as a break through album “Naghmet 7ob” was her key to the Arabic
World. Najwa won so many awards for her important role and large
achievements in the world of music.
She was awarded as the best Arabic
singer several times, and she accomplished six different awards this year
(2001), what makes her without any doubts, the only Lebanese and Arabic
Diva. Her hobbies are car racing, reading and watching historical movies.
Her goal is to perform in Baalbeck and be loved by everyone.
Najwa Karam 2002
In late 2002, Karam began meeting with the Lebanese "tarab" star, Wadih el Safi (Born 1919). Wadi had known Najwa for a while, and had been impressed with her vocal talents. The two of them decided to make a duet together, depicting the trials of a father-daughter relationship. The song was titled W Kberna (We grow old together), and was an epic ballad in which both vocalists showed immense vocal range and depth. W Kberna was a success as the lyrics were easy to relate to and it teamed two of the region's most prominent artists together.
Taking this success, Najwa got back to the drawing board for a new album. Months were spent piecing together lyrics and arrangements, and by mid 2003, the album was ready for release. Rotana set up a large launch party in Downtown Beirut, where over fifteen thousand of Karam's fans packed the streets, waiting for Najwa to appear and sing her new material.
Saharni (Charmed) was exactly the kind of album that was a rebirth of the "old Najwa Karam", and took the public by surprise, as they had at this point come to expect contemporary pop from the Shams el-Ghinnieh. The music had all the makings of distinctly Lebanese music: trumbakke solos, traditional wind instruments, lots of bass and a vibrant singing style - all features far removed from the "western" motif that most artists opted for at the time. Not only had Karam's music changed, but she also sported a new look, which further emphasised that the album was a turn around. Saharni's success was instantaneous, even though there was a lack of video clips for the songs, the album came through on top of the charts, and produced a number of major hits, including Edhak Lil Dounya (Smile to the world), and the title track Saharni (He charmed me).
Najwa made a world tour to complement Saharni's success, taking in the Middle East as well as destinations such as France and the U.S. with Wadih el Safi. She also travelled to Australia, where her concert there still holds the record for largest ever recorded concert attendance for an Arabic artist. Najwa was presented with a number of awards and achievements in 2003. These include "Highest Selling Album" from Rotana, and award for the "Best singer of Traditional Lebanese Song" from the Lions Club, "Song of the Year": Edhak Lil Donya from Sawt El Ghad Australia and an honorary Award from Australian Government.
As the New Year came and passed, Karam began work on a new single to be included in her upcoming album. This single would be like no other she had released before. Titled Leish Mgharrab? (Why are you living abroad?) it told of the hardships that people face when having to leave their home country for a better life. Coupled with this harrowing topic, was a revolutionary new music video (directed by Sa'aed el-Marouk), which would transform modern day Beirut into a bleak and harsh wasteland in 2020. The original video - which also contained scenes of citizens protesting against the Lebanese Government - was banned from being aired by the Lebanese Parliament. When the clip was edited slightly, it was finally allowed to go to air, along with its song. It hit home with many people, especially those living abroad in countries like Australia and the U.S.. It also sent a direct message to Lebanese politicians, telling them to act on their words.
Najwa Karam 2004
Najwa in Carthage, (2004)After a few months, Najwa had completed the rest of her new album, Shu Mghaira..!. Like Saharni, it was distinctly Lebanese, but it was more of a modern adaptation, with a reflective and sad overtone. Najwa continued her many live appearances to promote the album, and a notable event for 2004 was her sell-out concert in Carthage, Tunisia where she performed to thousands of enthusiastic fans. The tracks Bi Hawak (In your love) and Shu Mghaira (How you've changed) were shot in an expensive duel video clip which was riddled with special effects. It remained at the number 1 position for 6 weeks on the Rotana Top 20 Chart. The two songs were the most popular from the album, and Najwa obtained the as "Female Artist of the Year" from MusicanaNet.net, which was decided via a large scale internet poll.
Najwa Karam 2005 to 2006
In the second quarter of 2005, Karam released a new single and video clip called Shu Jani. Shu Jani was a contemporary pop song, with the use of traditional Lebanese instruments. The video was filmed in the Faraya ski resort in Lebanon by director Sa'aed el-Marouk. It was to be on her upcoming 2005 album. The timing of the new clip was criticised in some tabloids, because it was released during the tense electoral season in Lebanon, and the so-called Cedar Revolution (Independence Intifada). It was argued by these tabloids that it was disrespectful for Karam to release new material at such a time. Karam defended herself by putting the claim on her Saudi production company, Rotana, who she says fast tracked the release against her wishes. Even though there was some controversy surrounding Shu Jani, it fared well with the public.
Due to the prolonged situation in the Lebanon region, Karam's 2005 album was postponed from originally being released in June, then July and then finally postponed until November 2005. However, Karam released another single in late July called Bhebak Walaa which was an upbeat, contemporary/traditional song typical of Karam's usual work. It was a fairly big hit, hitting number one on many internet and radio charts. On September 6 2005, Karam released the video for Bhebak Walaa, directed by Salim el-Turk.
November 2005, billboards and unipolls all over Beirut were displaying a lady's hand upon a cloudy horizon. No writing was on the posters. The advertisement had the public wondering what message the posters were relaying, and who did the mysterious hand belong to? Soon it was generally concluded that the hand belonged to a recording artist, but there were many conflicting suggestions as to whose it was. Gradually, the billboards had bits of the lady added to the picture, until on November 30, 2005 the "mystery lady" was revealed as Najwa Karam.
On the same day, Karam's 15th studio album, Kibir'el Hob (Love Just Got Greater) was officially released. The album gained widespread attention through its rigorous advertising campaign, which included the billboard posters, many television appearances [on popular variety programs such as Dandana, and Akeed Maestro], and music video clips for singles. Kibir'el Hob topped the highest selling album chart in Lebanon for Rotana during the Christmas sales period, and remained in the number one position through the New Year. In mid April 2006, Karam released a third and last single from the Kibir'el Hob album, accompanied by a video clip, and proved to be among the most popular Arabic songs of the year 2006.
In response to the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, Karam teamed for the first time with popular Lebanese singer/songwriter Melhim Barakat to record the song Rah Yeb2a El Watan. The track was written and composed by Barakat, and called for unity among all Lebanese people. The single was released in late September and was critically acclaimed for its message and vocals, although criticised for its short running time. Plans for another collaboration with Barakat are underway.
Najwa Karam 2007
On May 28th 2007, the Lebanese station Sawt El Ghad and other Arabic stations started playing Najwa's new hit for 2007 named as Hayda Haki. This song, which has a very new style, is expected to be a huge hit for this year.
On June 6, 2007 Rotana released Najwa Karam 16th album titled Hayda Haki. A new Lebanese album with Najwa Karam's special flavor in it. This album include 8 excellent songs as usual.
Different kind of styles in each song. A powerful mawal in Raje3 Tes2al 3a Meen and a nice/soft mawal for El hanone. Law ma btekzob is like her 90's songs , Ana rouh and Nawer Eyami are two of a kind romance songs. Hata Be Ahlamak , Hayda Haki and Behkik are upbeat songs with different styles in each one and a special Najwa Karam's touch. Hayda Haki was the next song (after her 06-07 huge hit Shu Hal Hala) that Najwa Karam shot as a video clip with Lebanese director Said el Marouk.
From the First week of release Hadya Haki best selling album in Lebanon in UAE and Kwait Number one best selling Album.The Album had huge succees from the first week of release in Lebanon, the Gulf, Libya, Syria, Jordan and other Arabic countries.
Najwa Karam 2008
Najwa released her latest album "Am Bemzah Ma'ak" in July of 2008 under the distribution of Rotana. The album consists of eight songs including the title track "Am Bemzah Ma'ak" which is the first single. Other tracks include "Ammanti Galbi", "Ma Bkhabi Alayk", "Gatalna El Khof", "El Helm El Abyadh", "Enta El Shams", Kammel Ala Rouhi", & "Ta'a Khabeek".
Most of the album songs contain the unique traditional lebanese beat. "Ta'a Khabik" is the best example of futuristic lebanese developed rythme and holds a superior setting than most other tracks Middle Eastern artists are coming up with,it is upbeat and worthy of a hit single.
"Ammanti Galbi" puts two styles of music in one and has a strong upbeat presence, like the cultural dabkeh.
"Kammel Ala Rouhi" is a slow meaningful song with excellent voice stands provided by Najwa Karam and contains many high notes.Composed by Melhem Barakat "Kammel Ala Rouhi" and "Gatalna El Khof" are the two major songs in which Najwa Karam expresses emotion through her superior, outstanding voice.
"El Helm El Abyadh" is a wedding song, which starts with a cultural 'mawal' at the start then an upbeat,tabla beat which matches with her former hits. "Enta El Shams" is an upbeat tempo similar to her other song "Baddak Terja'a",and "Ma Bkhabi Alayk" is also on the slow upbeat side.
Overall the album "Am Bemzah Ma'ak" is similar to her former releases in the 1990s.
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:: Biography سيره ذاتيه :
rania chaer | wikipedia.org
Personal Information معلومات شخصيه
Music Video Clips فيديو كليب
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