Najwa Karam

Najwa Karam (نجوى كرم, ; born February, 26, 1966) is a Lebanese multi-platinum singer, producer, actress, fashion icon, TV personality and songwriter.

Nicknamed Shams el-Ghinnieh ("The Sun of Song"), Karam is noted for her powerful Mawwal-skilled vocals.

She has gained an international audience due to her distinct blend of traditional Lebanese music and contemporary sounds which has contributed to the spread of the Lebanese dialect in Arabic Music.

Having sold tens of millions of records, Najwa Karam is the best selling recording Arabic language singers.

In 1985, against her father's wishes, she participated in a television singing competition called "Layali Lubnan" (Lebanese Nights).

Showcasing her powerful vocals through the traditional Lebanese Mawwal, Karam won the first place, Gold Medal, along with modest public exposure and her father's approval.

Following her success, Karam studied at the Lebanese Institute of Music for four years.

During this time, she was mentored by the two famous Lebanese composers, Zaki Nasif and Fouad Awad.

In 1987, she participated in another television contest named Laylat Haz, where she gained greater exposure that would prepare her for her first attempt at breaking into the Arabic music industry in 1989.

In 1989, Karam's first studio album, Ya Habayeb, was released by a then-little-known record label, Relax-in International.

The album contained seven tracks, all in the traditional Lebanese traditional/folkloric style.

Karam rose to stardom throughout the 1990s, earning the nickname Shams el-Ghinnieh ("The Sun of Song"), from her eponymous album.

Her other successful '90s albums include Naghmet Hob, Ma Bassmahlak, Maghroumeh, and Rouh Rouhi.

She has sold over 60 million records worldwide, and she became the highest selling artist in 1999, 2008, and 2011.

In 2023, Karam boasts a social media following of nearly 40 million followers across Facebook, Instagram and X.

Karam was mentioned on Forbes 50 Over 50: Europe, Middle East and Africa 2023.

She continues to frequently perform throughout the Arab world and internationally.

In 2000, Karam's tenth album Oyoun Qalbi became her highest-selling album.

Throughout the late 2000s, Karam's commercial success endured via her albums, Hayda Haki, Am Bemzah Ma'ak, and Khallini Shoufak.

In 2001 her album Nedmaneh sold millions of copies worldwide, earning Karam a Murex d'Or award for Best Arabic Artist and Rotana Records awards including, Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Highest-Selling Album of the Year.

By the time her album Saharni was released in 2003, she had established herself as one of the most prominent Arabic singers and as a Middle Eastern pop icon.

Karam frequently worked with the renowned musician and composer Melhem Barakat and collaborated with the legendary singer, Wadih El Safi on their critically acclaimed 2004 duet titled, W Kberna ("We Grow Old Together").

In 2011, Karam debuted as a judge on the reality competition television series Arabs Got Talent; she has since appeared on all six of its seasons.

In 2011, Karam collaborated with Sony Entertainment and Rotana to produce the Arab World's first 3D music video for her song, "Ma Fi Noum" from her record Hal Layle... Ma Fi Nom.

In 2012, Karam walked the Red Carpet at the 65th Cannes Film Festival.

She is the youngest daughter of Karam Karam (who died 7 September 2013) and Barbara Chahine Karam.

In 2017, Forbes Middle East ranked Karam number 5 on the list of "The Top 100 Arab Celebrities" with over 26.58 million social media followers at the time.

She has since released well-received singles and music videos as well as her latest studio album, Menni Elak, in 2017.

She has an older sister, Salwa, and three older brothers, Tony, Jean, and Nicolas (who died 28 February 2017, aged 58).

Karam spent her childhood in Zahlé, under the care of her parents and older brothers.

From an early age, Karam was known among her friends and relatives for her powerful singing voice.

Her parents emphasized the need for an education and a stable career, so Karam attended secondary school at Jesus the Angel College.

Then, she went on to earn a bachelor's degree in philosophy.

Karam worked as a Geography and Arabic teacher at Eastern College in Zahlé, Lebanon, for two years.

Even though she started her career as a teacher, Karam remained interested in music.

In 2018, Cosmopolitan included Karam on their list of "The 15 Most Inspiring Women In The Middle East", and Forbes included her on their list of the "Top 10 of Arab Stars On The Global Stage".

In 2021, she was named to Forbes Middle East’s Arab Music Stars list 50 of MENA’s most streamed and followed active musicians.

In 2019, Karam's single, Maloun Abou L Echeq, became a commercial and critical success with its music video becoming one of the highest-viewed Arabic music videos on YouTube.

Najwa Karam Karam was born in Zahle, Lebanon to a family of Lebanese Melkite Christians.

In 2020, she appeared as a coach on the first season of MBC's The Voice Senior.