Najwa Karam


Najwa Karam is a Lebanese singer, songwriter, producer, and television personality. She has sold over 60 million records worldwide and is recognized as the highest-selling Lebanese and Middle-Eastern recording artist.
Karam incorporates Mawwal and traditional Lebanese musical elements into her work. Karam appeared on Forbes' 2023 "50 Over 50: Europe, Middle East, and Africa," which highlights influential individuals over the age of 50 in those regions.
In 2011, Karam debuted as a judge on the television series Arabs Got Talent, serving for six seasons. In 2020, she served as a coach on the first season of MBC's The Voice Senior. In 2017, she placed fifth on Forbes' list of "The Top 100 Arab Celebrities". The following year, Cosmopolitan included her in its list of "The 15 Most Inspiring Women In The Middle East", and Forbes named her one of the "Top 10 of Arab Stars On The Global Stage." In 2021, she was featured in Forbes Middle East's Arab Music Stars list of MENA's 50 most-streamed and followed active musicians.
During the 1990s, Karam was popularly referred to as Shams el-Ghinnieh in reference to her album of the same name and her rising prominence in the Arabic music industry. Other albums she released in the 90s include Naghmet Hob, Ma Bassmahlak, Maghroumeh, and Rouh Rouhi. In 2000, Karam's tenth album, Oyoun Qalbi, became her highest-selling album. In 2001, her album Nedmaneh earned 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. Throughout the late 2000s, Karam's albums, Hayda Haki, Am Bemzah Ma'ak, and Khallini Shoufak also achieved commercial success. Karam frequently worked with musician and composer Melhem Barakat and collaborated with singer Wadih el Safi on their 2004 debut "W Kberna". She has released numerous singles and music videos as well as a 2017 studio album, Menni Elak. In 2019, Karam's single "Maloun Abou L Echeq" received significant viewership on YouTube, with its music video achieving high view counts relative to other Arabic singles at the time.
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Life and career

Early years and ''Layali Lubnan'': 1985–1988

Najwa Karam was born on 26 February 1966 in ZahlΓ©, Lebanon, to a Lebanese Melkite Christian family. She is the youngest daughter of Karam Karam and Barbara Chahine Karam.
From an early age, Karam was known among her friends and relatives for her singing. She attended an evangelical secondary school and later earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy. Karam worked as a geography and Arabic teacher at Eastern College in ZahlΓ©, Lebanon, for two years.
In 1985, she participated in the television singing competition Layali Lubnan against her father's wishes. Karam sang the traditional Lebanese Mawwal and won first place, earning her public exposure and her father's approval. Karam went on to study at the Lebanese Institute of Music for four years, being mentored by Lebanese composers Zaki Nasif and Fouad Awad during this period. In 1987, she participated in another television contest named Laylat Haz, which prepared her for her first attempt at breaking into the Arabic music industry in 1989.

First Studio Albums: 1989–1993

''Shams el-Ghinnieh'', (The Sun of Song) & Ana Ma’akom, (I Am With You)

In 1989, Karam's first album,Ya Habayeb , was released by a then-obscure record label, Relax-in International. The album contained seven tracks, all in the traditional Lebanese traditional/folklore style. Due to her previous exposure to the Lebanese public, the album was well-received in Lebanon but did not receive much attention from the rest of the Arab world.
After a three-year hiatus, Karam returned to the scene with her follow-up album, Shams el-Ghinnieh. The album title was inspired by her nickname, "Shams el-Ghinnieh". The album was recorded by another small record company, CM. The style of the album was more romantic and contemporary in comparison to Karam's debut, which was more traditional.
In 1993, Karam signed with another record label for her new album, a small Saudi Arabian company. The new album was called Ana Ma'akon. The album was classic in style and quite different from Shams el-Ghinnieh. Despite her discontent with the album, she had no choice but to release it, bound by a contract with her production company. As expected, the album failed to do as well as Shams el-Ghinnieh. It remains Karam's least-known album.

Rotana: 1994–1999

Karam joined the Middle East's largest recording label, Rotana, owned by Saudi Arabian Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal.
Work on a new album began immediately, with poets, writers, and composers enlisted to help Karam develop a renewed musical image aimed at revitalizing public interest and appealing to a wider Arab audience. By mid-1994, an eight-track album had been completed and was prepared for release in the Middle East. Naghmet Hob fused Lebanese tradition with Arab pop. Its memorable Lebanese dance song "Law Habaytek" was an instant hit, dominating the Arabian charts. Follow-up hits from the same album, "Wrood Eddar" and "Elala", received similar success.
The success of Naghmet Hob led to a concert tour and many awards, including a prize from the Lebanese Broadcasting Association in 1994 for Best Artist.
In 1995, Karam started work on her fifth release and second album under Rotana. It was titled Ma Bassmahlak and closely followed the traditional style of Naghmet Hob, though her new album was deeper in the lyrical content of the tracks.

''Hazi Helo'' (''I'm Lucky'')

On June 16, 1996, she released her album, Hazi Helo. The title track, "Hazi Helo", and three other songs, "Khayarouni", "Ala Mahlak", and "El-Ghorbil", were the most popular from the album. Following the release of Hazi Helo, Karam set off on a world tour across many Arab states, parts of Europe, and the United States.

''Ma Hada La Hada'' (Nobody is for Anybody) and ''Maghroumeh'' (In Love)

Karam's next album was Ma Hada La Hada. The tracks on the album differed from those of Karam's previous albums, with a more contemporary sound influenced by foreign beats and synthesised melodies. Three months before the album's official release, the song El Tahady was distributed to the Arabic radio stations. By the time of the album's release, the song's popularity had dwindled, and Ma Hada La Hadas relatively poor sales were attributed to this factor. However, the title track did become quite popular. It had harmonious musical arrangements that used the traditional Lebanese instrument, the Qanoun, along with other traditional instruments such as the violin and the accordion.
The 1998 release, Maghroumeh, marked Karam's "official" transition from purely traditional Lebanese artist to the blend of traditional and contemporary Arabic that she is famous for today. It had poetic Arabic lyrics sung with Karam's trademark power and authority; extensive use of Arabic instruments and contemporary ones; and a brand new look for the album cover. Maghroumeh was another success from Karam. The title track, "Maghroumeh", was shot as a video clip and was the biggest hit off the album, hitting number one on most radio stations in the region. Other hits were the feisty "Ghamza" and the sad love song "Noqta al-Satr".

''Rouh Rouhi (The soul of my soul)''

Karam's next album, Rouh Rouhi, was released in 1999. The tracks "Ariftu Albi La Meen", "Atchana", and the title track, "Rouh Rouhi", were the major hits off the album, the latter two being shot as music videos. Many other songs succeeded, like "Kif Bdawik" ", and "Ma Borda Ghayrak".

2000–2004

In 2000, Karam released Oyoun Qalbi. Oyoun Qalbi was a more romantic, reflective body of work compared to Karam's previous albums. Its songs included "Majboura", which had a modern jazz influence, and the "power ballads", "Oyoun Qalbi" and "Khaleek al Ard". A music video was made for the Najwa 2000 megamix, which contained samples from each song on the Oyoun Qalbi album. The album sold over 5 million copies, topping the charts. It holds the current record for the best-selling Arabic album of all time.
In 2001, Karam released Nedmaneh. It sold over 4 million copies worldwide and is one of Karam's most acclaimed albums. This album followed on from the style of music first presented by Karam in Oyoun Qalbi, and further experimented with new styles and sounds. The song "Aaskah" was an enormous hit, hitting number one all over the Middle East, and was also quite popular abroad. It was a more playful and vibrant song than most of Karam's previous work, with a strong bass line and a distinct oriental influence. It was quite different from any Arabic song at the time and appealed to a wide range of audiences. The success of Nedmaneh brought about many awards, including a coveted Murex D'or for "Best Arabic Artist" award, and three special awards from Karam's production company, Rotana: "Artist of the Year", "Album of the Year", and "Highest Selling Album".
To further Rotana's crediting of Karam's successes, an honoring assembly was held on 23 June 2001, where Karam was awarded for her achievements throughout her singing career and for the commercial success of Nedmaneh. The ceremony was held at the Venezia Hotel, Beirut, Lebanon. In attendance were the Lebanese Minister of Information, Ghazi Aridi, who was representing the President of the Lebanese Republic, Γ‰mile Lahoud, prominent singer Wadih el Safi, acclaimed composer Elias Rahbani, and many journalists and reporters. During the night, Karam sang some of her hits and was presented with numerous medals and trophies. The recording was released on a special edition CD, along with a compilation CD of Najwa's hits from 1989 to 2000 titled The Very Best Of Najwa Karam.
Karam's 2002 album, Tahamouni, was far removed from the "easy-going" contemporary feel of Oyoun Qalbi and Nedmaneh. The album was intended to get back in touch with a more youthful audience from other Arab nations, who had taken less interest in Karam's music from the late 90s. This was shown through songs like "Tahamouni" which included attempts at rapping, and "Ew'a Tekoun Ze'alt" ", which seemed to have a Western influence.

''Saharni'', (He Charmed Me)

In late 2002, Karam collaborated Wadih el Safi on the duet β€œW Kberna”, a song depicting a father–daughter relationship.
After β€œW Kberna,” Karam released her next album, Saharni. The music had all the makings of distinctly Lebanese music: trumbakke solos, traditional wind instruments, prominent bass, and a vibrant singing styleβ€”all features far removed from the Western motif that most artists opted for at the time. Saharnis 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 several major hits, including "Edhak Lil Dounya", and the title track "Saharni".
Karam made a world tour to complement Saharnis success, taking in the Middle East and destinations such as France and the US with Wadih el Safi. She also traveled to Australia for a sold-out multi-city tour. Her concert there still holds the record for the largest-ever recorded concert attendance of an Arabic artist. Karam was presented with many awards and achievements in 2003. These include "Highest Selling Album" from Rotana, and an 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. Around this time, the Australian government had noted Najwa's positive impact on Australian and Lebanese relations. Australia has a large Lebanese diaspora and has noted its cultural impact and large following by the Lebanese Australian diaspora and the wider community. Due to this, Najwa was given an honorary award from the Australian Government.
As the New Year came and passed, Karam began work on a new single to be included in her upcoming album. It was titled Leish Mgharrab? . The song was about the hardships people face when leaving their home country for a better life. Coupled with this harrowing topic was a music video, which would transform modern-day Beirut into a bleak and harsh wasteland in 2020. The original videoβ€”which also contained scenes of citizens protesting against the Lebanese governmentβ€”was banned from being aired by the Lebanese Parliament. When the clip was edited, the music video was allowed to go on air.
After a few months, Karam had completed the rest of her new album, Shu Mghaira..!. Like Saharni, it was distinctly Lebanese, but modernized, with a reflective and sad overtone. Najwa continued her many live appearances to promote the album, and a notable event in 2004 was her sold-out concert in Carthage, Tunisia, where she performed for thousands of enthusiastic fans. The tracks "Bi Hawak" and "Shu Mghaira" were shot in an expensive duel video clip 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 Karam was voted "Female Artist of the Year" by MusicanaNet.net, which was decided via a large-scale internet poll.

2005 - Present

In the second quarter of 2005, Karam released a new single and video clip called Shu Jani. Shu Jani was a contemporary pop song that incorporated 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 criticized in some tabloids because it was released during the tense electoral season in Lebanon, and the Cedar Revolution. These tabloids argued 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, which she says fast-tracked the release against her wishes. Although 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 release in June, then July, and finally postponed until November 2005. However, Karam released another single in late July called "Bhebak Walaa" which was an upbeat, contemporary/traditional song. On September 6, 2005, Karam released the video for "Bhebak Walaa", directed by Salim el-Turk.

''Kibir'el Hob'', (Love Got Bigger)

In November 2005, billboards and unipolls all over Beirut displayed 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 the mysterious hand belonged 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 30 November 2005, the "mystery lady" was revealed as Najwa Karam.
On the same day, Karam's 15th studio album, Kibir'el Hob was released. The album was promoted through an extensive advertising campaign, including billboard posters and television appearances, with billboard posters, many television appearances, 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 April 2006, Karam released a third and final 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 with Lebanese singer and songwriter Melhem Barakat to record the song Rah Yebqa El Watan. The track, which Barakat wrote and composed, called for unity among all Lebanese people.

2007–2008: ''Hayda Haki'', (That's What I'm Talking About) & ''Aam Bimzah Maak'', (I'm Kidding With You)

On May 28, Sawt el Ghad and several other Arab radio stations began to play the new hit "Hayda Haki".
On June 6, 2007, the company Rotana released Najwa's 16th album titled Hayda Haki. A new Lebanese album with Najwa Karam's special flavor in it. This album included 8 songs with different kinds of styles. A powerful mawal in Raje' Tes'al 'a Meen and a nice/soft mawal for El hanone. Law ma btekzob is like her 90s songs, Ana Rouh, and Nawer Eyami are romance songs. Hata Be Ahlamak, Hayda Haki, and Behkik are upbeat songs with different styles in each one. Hayda Haki was the next song that Najwa Karam shot as a video clip with Lebanese director Said el Marouk.
From the first week of the release of Hayda Haki, it became the best-selling album in Lebanon, the UAE, and Kuwait. The album had success from the first week of release in Lebanon, the Gulf, Libya, Syria, Jordan, and other Arab countries.
Najwa Karam was a guest on the show Album on MBC 1. On June 29, 2007, she shone on Album's stage, one week before Album's final prime.
In June, she released her video clip Hayda Haki, which displayed her character in a romantic atmosphere and love shots. On its first day on the charts, it landed in the 1st spot.
Najwa Karam toured the United States and Canada with Lebanese Stars Wael Kfoury and Fadel Shaker. The tour lasted for a little more than a month as they visited major cities and was a success. The American concerts were in Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Detroit, New Jersey, Boston, and Miami. In Canada, concerts were in Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto, singing in the biggest and most important venues.
After four days, Karam released a video clip for "Law Ma Btekzob" directed by Fadi Haddad.
Karam appeared on the TV show Al Arab, hosted by Nishan, which aired on May 31. She sang a medley of her old and new songs and added songs for Fairuz, Sabah, Wadih El Safi, and Samira Tawfiq. She also sang one of her old mawal, "Wainak Ya Ra3i Deni" aka "Mawal El Adyan".
On July 17, 2008, Rotana released Karam's 17th studio album, Am Bimzah Maak (I'm Joking with you). The album received considerable success and positive reviews. The album contained eight songs. One of the most famous Arabic composers, Melhim Baraket, composed two songs from the album: "Kammil 3ala Rouhi" and "Gatalna El Khof". The album stayed for three months #1 in Virgin Mega Store Lebanon, 4 weeks #1 in UAE Virgin Mega Store, 8 Weeks in Saudi Arabia, etc.; Rotana, Karam's production company, said that Najwa Karam's last album Am Bimzah Maak was one of the top 3 best-selling albums in the Middle East. It was chosen by Virgin MegaStore Jordan as the Top 3 most selling albums in 2008.
While four songs from Aam Bimzah Maak; "Am Bimzah Maak", "Enta El Shams", "Amanti Galbi", and "Taa Khabik" were achieving success all over the Middle East, Karam released her second video clip from her latest album "Ma Bkhabi Aleyk" where she collaborated for the first time with Lebanese young director Randa Aalam.
Karam shot a 3rd video clip from her successful album "Aam Bimzah Maak" called "Taa Taa Khabik". And it played on many Music channels in the Middle East and received commercial success in Lebanon, Maghreb, Syria, Jordan, and the Gulf countries.

2009: ''Khallini Shoufak'', (Let Me See You)

In February 2009, Karam attended one of the Middle East's most important concerts, Hala Febrayer 09 in Kuwait. She performed a mixture of old and new songs for a very active crowd.
On March 9, 2009, specifically on Mother's Day, Najwa Karam released her single "El Deni Em", which received commercial success and stayed #1 for three weeks on the Online Magazine "Elaph".
In May 2009, Najwa Karam traveled to Morocco to perform at the Mawazine Festival 2009. Her opening performance attracted a crowd exceeding 90,000.
On June 10, 2009, Rotana released Karam's 18th album, entitled Khallini Shoufak. The album contains eight songs, each with a different style of music and catchy lyrics. It is worth mentioning that along with the lead single "Khallini Shufak", three other songs are receiving commercial success: "Eidak", "Allah Yesghello Balo", and "Aboos Eynak". The remaining songs are: "Wale'", "El Deni Em", "Albi Masna' Baroud", and "El Haramy". The album is considered Karam's strongest return to her original style since Saharny. Karam said, "It's full of folkloric, balady songs, similar to Saharny and her 90s releases". Her video for "Khallini Shoufak" was released around the same time as her CD.
Karam was a guest performer on Star Academy 6's final prime. She sang "Am Bemzah Ma'ak", "Ta'a Khabeek", and her latest single, "Khallini Shoufak". She then appeared on Layali El Samar on 25 March 2010 on ABU DHABI TV. Also, Karam was the guest star on Taratata, Dubai TV, and soon after, she appeared on the TV show Akher Man Ya3lam.

2010–2011: ''Bil Rou7, Bil Dam'' (in the soul, in the blood) & ''Lashhad Hobbak'' (I’ll beg your love)

On May 10, 2010, Sawt El Ghad Radio, Beirut, started playing Karam's new hit "Bil Rou7, Bil Dam". The new hit single was the first song of Karam's that was produced directly out of Rotana in 17 years. The song, along with its video clip, which featured the Guinness World Record's largest plate of tabbouleh, sponsored by Karam, was well-received and reached great success.
On November 11, 2010, Karam released her next single, "Lashhad Hobbak". Its video clip aired on Rotana Music Channels, attracting a large audience through its classy styles, such as the spider-webbed characteristics. The song became very popular among the masses. Karam wore a beaded spiderweb bodysuit, designed by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad. It was later worn by Jennifer Lopez in her music video "On the Floor".
In late 2010, although there were doubts about a new contract between Karam and Rotana Production Company, after several meetings with Salem El Hendi, Karam agreed to return to Rotana. Haifa Wehbe attended the dinner party held after the press conference, telling the press that she was glad to accept Karam's invitation and delighted to be part of the celebration.
After Karam decided to postpone her upcoming album, a song called "Wayn" appeared on the internet. The song was stolen from the Najwa Karam Office and released without her permission. The song was recorded three years prior in 2009 and was removed from that year's album, Khallini Shoufak. Although illegally released, the song was well-liked and was played on numerous radio stations.

2011: ''Hal Leile...MaFi Noum'' (Tonight, There's No Sleep)

On June 28, 2011, Rotana released Hal Leile...MaFi Noum, Najwa Karam's 19th album. "MaFi Noum " and "Shu Hal Leile " were both released as singles before the album's release, while "Law Bas Taaraf" was released as the third and final single. Three days following its release, the album notched the top spot on Virgin Megastore Charts, replacing Nawal Al Zoghbi's album, Ma'rafsh Leh, which had been dominating the Lebanese charts for five months. Karam is credited as the writer of three of the songs appearing on the album: "Mafi Noum", "Shu Hal Leile", and "Eainy Bi Eainak". The title track and lead single "MaFi Noum" employs innovative "Doum Tac" Derbake notes as a part of its chorus. Karam reiterated in interviews the meaning and significance of the "Doum Tac" music notes and her reasoning behind their usage. It has since become a signature label of Najwa Karam's music.
Two weeks after the album's debut, a 3D music video was released for the title track, "Ma Fi Noum", becoming the first 3D music video in the Middle East. The music video was produced by two professional teams from the US and the UK in collaboration with the Lebanese W&P Production Group. Directed by Waleed Nassif, the video was created by Sony and produced by Rotana. The video's opening sequence features Season 1 Arabs' Got Talent contestant, Abdelmalek Al Baljani, from Morocco, in a break dance solo. During his appearance on Arab's Got Talent, Karam was impressed by Al Baljani's abilities and promised on Live TV to cast him in her next video. The 3D music video premiered at the ABC Achrafieh theater in Lebanon on 25 July 2011 and was played in 600 3D Sony showrooms and outlets throughout the Arab world. A 2D version was also released for Television and YouTube. The "MaFi Noum" 3D clip had one of the largest production budgets in the Middle East.

2017: ''Menni Elak'' (From Me, To You)

Karam's latest album, Menni Elak, was ranked among the Top 4 on iTunes worldwide, and top 1 for five weeks in the Middle East and Arabian countries. It was also ranked top 1 for six months in Virgin Megastore in Lebanon and broke the list of the 100 best albums on iTunes Brazil. Menni Elak ranked the top 1 on the Chinese website "Pan European Music". The album's spread was a reason for Najwa Karam to enter the list of the most listened-to singers on Yotta radio in Japan and topped the Malaysian Akshak magazine cover.
On the Amazon World Music site, the album hit the list of the best-selling albums in German, American, and British versions. On June 21st and 25th, the songs of the album were broadcast as the first Arabic album on the international British Radio station "FM 1 FM" in London, following a poll on Twitter. The song "Ah min el Gharam" from the album was nominated for the 2017 XLIII Universal Music Award in Spain, while "Habibi Min" got fifth place in the voting finals that lasted more than eight months. All eight album songs were entered in the list of "The Hot 100 songs" on Fazboard Iran. After eleven months, "Habibi Min", another song from the album, was ranked number one on iTunes Uzbekistan.

Personal life

In June 2024, Karam publicly announced her marriage to Omar Al-Dahmani, an Emirati businessman.

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

  • 1987: A'ala Zahle Wasselni
  • 1987: A'al A'alali
  • 1987: Ya Ghawi
  • 1987: Batalet Soum W Salli
  • 1987: El Watan El Ghali
  • 1987: Largueslo bl Seif
  • 1989: El Layl Sar Nhar
  • 1989: El Raqm El Saa'ab
  • 1996: Jayi Ya Jarash Jayi
  • 1997: Aezzik Dayem Ya Carthage
  • 1998: A Droub El Sham
  • 2000: Ana Jayi Men Kfarhabbayt
  • 2002: W Kberna
  • 2004: Kwaiti Aarabi
  • 2005: Shu Jani
  • 2006: Rah7 Yebqa El Watan
  • 2007: Bel San'a
  • 2007: Hayda Haki
  • 2007: Oter El Majd
  • 2010: Bil Rouh Bil Dam
  • 2010: Lashhad Hobbak
  • 2011: Wayn
  • 2012: Isroj Bel Layl Hsanak
  • 2013: Ykhallili Albak
  • 2014: Aal Sakhra
  • 2014: Ya Yomma
  • 2015: Kelmit Haa'
  • 2015: Ma Bestaghreb
  • 2015: Siid L Rijaal
  • 2015: Bawsit Abel alNawm
  • 2016: Deni Ya Dana
  • 2016: Yekhreb Baytak
  • 2017: Yenaad Aalayk
  • 2017: Nehna Chaabak Ya Allah
  • 2018: YaHo
  • 2018: El Layli Laylitna
  • 2019: Allah Yekhod Biyadik
  • 2019: Mal3oun Abu El Isheg
  • 2019: Ktir Helou
  • 2019: Be3alle2 Mashna2to
  • 2019: Ba3cha2 Tafasilak
  • 2020: Beirut
  • 2020: Maazour Albi
  • 2020: Zayed Majedha
  • 2021: Maghroumi 2
  • 2021: Saher Ouloub
  • 2022: Helwe El Denye
  • 2022: Saaa Bayda

Compilations

Live recordings

  • 2001: ''Live in Concert''

Festivals and international concerts

During her career, Najwa Karam has performed hundreds of concerts worldwide:
  • 1991: Damascus International Fair – Syria
  • 1991: Al Bustan Palace - Sultanate of Oman
  • 1992: International Festival of Carthage – Tunisia
  • 1992: Damascus International Festivals – Syria
  • 1993: Cobo Arena Detroit -USA
  • 1993: Amphitheatre of El Jem – Tunisia
  • 1993: Festival international de Monastir – Tunisia
  • 1993: Benlton International Club – Lebanon
  • 1994: Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex – Qatar
  • 1994: Al Assad Sports City Stadium – Syria
  • 1994: Benlton International Club – Lebanon
  • 1994: Ritz Theatre & Performing Arts Center New Jersey – USA
  • 1995: Palais des congrΓ¨s de Paris – France
  • 1995: Fuheis Festivals – Jordan
  • 1995: Sarafand Square – Lebanon
  • 1995: Palais Des Festivals Cannes – France
  • 1995: Damascus International Fair – Syria
  • 1995: Damascus International Festivals – Syria
  • 1995: Aley Amphitheatre – Lebanon
  • 1995: Benlton International Club – Lebanon
  • 1995: Baabda Amphitheatre – Lebanon
  • 1995: Art Theatre Long Beach California – USA
  • 1996: Capitol Theater DΓΌsseldorf – Germany
  • 1996: Jerash International Festivals – Jordan
  • 1996: Cairo International Convention Centre – Egypt
  • 1996: Bahrain International Circuit
  • 1996: Royal Albert Hall London – UK
  • 1997: People's Hall, Tripoli – Libya
  • 1997: International Festival of Carthage – Tunisia
  • 1997: Aley Amphitheatre – Lebanon
  • 1997: Beirut Shopping Festivals – Lebanon
  • 1997: Qurum Amphitheater Muscat – sultanate of Oman
  • 1998: International Festival of Carthage – Tunisia
  • 1998: Al Shaab Stadium – Iraq
  • 1998: Al Forusiyah National Club – Iraq
  • 1998: Al-Jalaa Stadium – Syria
  • 1998: Damascus International Festivals – Syria
  • 1998: Zahle City Amphitheatre – Lebanon
  • 1998: Aley Amphitheatre – Lebanon
  • 1998: Marina Amphitheatre – Egypt
  • 1998: Cultural Palace Theatre – Jordan
  • 1999: Damascus International Fair – Syria
  • 1999: Damascus International Festivals
  • 1999: Fayhaa International Stadium – Syria
  • 1999: Umayyad Square – Syria
  • 1999: Bahrain International Exhibition Convention Centre
  • 1999: The Carousel Theater Massachusetts – USA
  • 1999: Circus Maximus Theatre Philadelphia – USA
  • 1999: Abusta Square Tripoli – Libya
  • 2000: International Festival of Carthage – Tunisia
  • 2000: Amphitheatre Sidi Mansour Sfax – Tunisia
  • 2000: Sousse Amphitheatre – Tunisia
  • 2000: Bizerte Amphitheatre – Tunisia
  • 2000: Festival international de Monastir – Tunisia
  • 2001: Dubai World Trade Centre – UAE
  • 2001: Arena Theatre Amman – Jordan
  • 2001: Hala February Festivals – Kuwait
  • 2001: Casino Du Liban Salle Des Ambassadeurs – Lebanon
  • 2001: Timgad International Festivals – Algeria
  • 2001: Doha International Festivals – Qatar
  • 2001: Sidi Ferj Amphitheatre Kazif – Algeria
  • 2001: Abusta Square Tripoli – Libya
  • 2001: Al Abbasiyyin Stadium – Syria
  • 2002: The foot of Egyptians Pyramids – Egypt
  • 2002: Creek Park Amphitheatre Dubai – UAE
  • 2003: Star Square Beirut – Lebanon
  • 2003: Jerash International Festivals – Jordan
  • 2003: Tyre International Festivals – Lebanon
  • 2004: International Festival of Carthage – Tunisia
  • 2004: Bizerte Amphitheatre – Tunisia
  • 2004: Damascus International Fair – Syria
  • 2004: Bahrain International Circuit
  • 2004: Hala February Festivals – Kuwait
  • 2004: Amphitheatre Sidi Mansour Sfax – Tunisia
  • 2004: Zahle City Amphitheatre – Lebanon
  • 2004: Palais Des Festivals Cannes – France
  • 2005: El Menzah Sports Palace – Tunisia
  • 2005: Zouk Mikael Amphitheatre – Lebanon
  • 2006: Cultural Palace Theatre – Jordan
  • 2006: Royal Cultural Center – Jordan
  • 2006: Sabratha Amphitheatre – Libya
  • 2006: Royal Albert Hall London – UK
  • 2006: Festival international de Monastir – Tunisia
  • 2006: Festival international de Gafsa – Tunisia
  • 2006: Amphitheatre Sidi Mansour Sfax – Tunisia
  • 2006: Timgad International Festivals – Algeria
  • 2006: Sidi Ferj Amphitheatre Kazif – Algeria
  • 2007: Boch Center Shubert Theatre Boston – USA
  • 2007: Jerash International Festivals – Jordan
  • 2007: Sydney Olympic Park – Australia
  • 2007: Fox Theatre Detroit – USA
  • 2007: Hala February Festivals – Kuwait
  • 2007: Doha International Festivals
  • 2007: Ritz Theatre & Performing Arts Center New Jersey – USA
  • 2008: International Festival of Carthage – Tunisia
  • 2008: Amphitheatre Sidi Mansour Sfax – Tunisia
  • 2008: Bizerte Amphitheatre – Tunisia
  • 2008: Jableh Roman Amphitheatre – Syria
  • 2008: Bahrain International Circuit
  • 2008: Casino Du Liban Salle Des Ambassadeurs – Lebanon
  • 2008: Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi – UAE
  • 2008: Tempodrom Berlin – Germany
  • 2008: Ericsson Globe Arena Stockholm – Sweden
  • 2008: Dubai International Film Festival – UAE
  • 2009: Sidi Ferj Amphitheatre Kazif – Algeria
  • 2009: Timgad International Festivals – Algeria
  • 2009: Hala February Festivals – Kuwait
  • 2009: Mawazine International Festivals – Morocco
  • 2009: Jableh Roman Amphitheatre – Syria
  • 2009: Beirut Forum – Lebanon
  • 2009: Damascus International Fair
  • 2009: Al Dhafra Theater Dubai – UAE
  • 2009: Rashid Karami Cultural Center Tripoli – Lebanon
  • 2010: Byblos International Festival – Lebanon
  • 2010: Damascus International Fair – Syria
  • 2010: Doha International Festivals – Qatar
  • 2010: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre – UAE
  • 2010: Tadmor International Festivals – Syria
  • 2011: Jerash International Festivals – Jordan
  • 2011: Hope Square Agadir – Morocco
  • 2011: Sidi Ferj Amphitheatre Kazif – Algeria
  • 2011: Timgad International Festivals – Algeria
  • 2011: The Corniche Abu Dhabi – UAE
  • 2011: Zahle City Amphitheatre – Lebanon
  • 2011: Casino Du Liban Salle Des Ambassadeurs – Lebanon
  • 2011: State Theater Tetouan – Morocco
  • 2011: Sound Board Theater Detroit – USA
  • 2012: Hosny Chakroun Theatre Wahran – Algeria
  • 2012: International Festival of Carthage – Tunisia
  • 2012: Cannes Film Festivals – France
  • 2012: Stipes Tower Amphitheater – UAE
  • 2013: Jerash International Festivals – Jordan
  • 2013: Mawazine International Festivals – Morocco
  • 2013: Sidi Ferj Amphitheatre Kazif – Algeria
  • 2013: Timgad International Festivals – Algeria
  • 2013: Casablanca International Festivals – Morocco
  • 2013: Sporting Monte-Carlo – France
  • 2014: Sidi Ferj Amphitheatre Kazif – Algeria
  • 2014: Djemila International Festivals – Algeria
  • 2014: Hala February Festivals – Kuwait
  • 2014: Palais de la culture d'Abidjan – Ivory Coast
  • 2014: Jerash International Festivals – Jordan
  • 2014: Al Madina History Theatre – Lebanon
  • 2014: The Fillmore Theatre Detroit – USA
  • 2015: State Theater Tetouan – Morocco
  • 2015: Hala February Festivals – Kuwait
  • 2015: Dubai Media City Amphitheatre – UAE
  • 2015: Caesars Palace Atlantic City – USA
  • 2015: Bahrain International Circuit
  • 2015: Cedars International Festival – Lebanon
  • 2015: Biel Beirut Holidays – Lebanon
  • 2016: Jerash International Festivals – Jordan
  • 2016: Zenith Arena Constantine – Algeria
  • 2016: International Festival of Carthage – Tunisia
  • 2016: Amphitheatre Sidi Mansour Sfax – Tunisia
  • 2016: Sousse Amphitheatre – Tunisia
  • 2016: Hosny Chakroun Theatre Wahran – Algeria
  • 2016: Timgad International Festivals – Algeria
  • 2016: Sidi Ferj Amphitheatre Kazif – Algeria
  • 2016: Leverkuzen Arena – Germany
  • 2016: Palais 12 Brussels – Belgium
  • 2016: Gothenburg Square – Sweden
  • 2016: du Arena and Forum – Yas Island UAE
  • 2017: Djemila International Festivals – Algeria
  • 2017: Sydney Olympic Park – Australia
  • 2017: Abdali Boulevard Square Amman – Jordan
  • 2017: Mawazine International Festivals – Morocco
  • 2017: Bahrain International Circuit
  • 2017: Cedars International Festival – Lebanon
  • 2017: Olympia Hall Paris – France
  • 2017: Melbourne Convention Centre – Australia
  • 2017: Al Marooj Theatre Salala – Oman
  • 2017: Beverly Hills California – USA
  • 2017: Falaysi Theatre Algiers – Algeria
  • 2017: Zenith Arena Constantine – Algeria
  • 2018: Park Theatre Monte Carlo Las Vegas – USA
  • 2018: Oak Ville The Meeting House Toronto – Canada
  • 2018: ST. Denis Theatre Montreal – Canada
  • 2018: Kuwait Opera House
  • 2018: Al Majaz Amphitheatre Sharjah – UAE
  • 2018: The Main Cultural Stage, Global Village Dubai – UAE
  • 2018: Palais des congrΓ¨s de Paris – France
  • 2018: Casino Du Liban Salle Des Ambassadeurs – Lebanon
  • 2018: Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre – Sweden
  • 2019: Kuwait Opera House
  • 2019: Green Hall Khobar – Saudi Arabia
  • 2019: Ayva Center Huston – USA
  • 2019: Atlantis Theatre – The Bahamas
  • 2019: Glendale Renaissance Hall Arizona – USA
  • 2019: Mawazine International Festivals – Morocco
  • 2019: Talal Maddah Theatre – Saudi Arabia
  • 2019: Fuheis Festivals – Jordan
  • 2019: Boulevard Stage Riyadh – Saudi Arabia
  • 2019: Royal Opera House Muscat – Oman
  • 2020: Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Center – UAE

Awards and honours

Over a multi-decade career, Karam has received competitive music awards, brand appointments, and civic or press recognitions across the Arab world. Selected, reliably sourced distinctions are listed below.

Notable festival appearances (achievement)

While not awards, headlining placements at heritage festivals are frequently cited in coverage of Karam’s career.
YearFestivalLocationNotes
2023Jerash Festival of Culture and ArtsJerash, JordanListed as a headlining performer in the official programme that year.

Civic honours

  • Reports in 2011–2016 stated that the Municipality of ZahlΓ© dedicated a street in Karam’s honour; however, later local reporting suggested no formal street naming had taken place as of 2019.