Karl Wolf

Carl Abou Samah (Arabic: كارل أبو سمح; born April 18, 1979),[1] better known by his stage name Karl Wolf, is a Lebanese-Canadian musician based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He has been a singer, songwriter, and producer since 2001, releasing his first solo album Face Behind the Face on MapleNationwide/Universal in 2006, followed by a second album Bite the Bullet in 2007. His third album Nightlife was released in 2009 followed by Finally Free in 2012, Stereotype in 2014 and WOW in 2015. His biggest hit has been a remake of Toto's "Africa" sampling from the song and providing new lyrics and arrangements. Through his company, Lone Wolf Management, Karl Wolf also manages a number of new artists. In 2015, he announced a new collaboration under the name BAE (Be All Equal) with Show Stephens, Brenda Mullen and producer MasterTrak. Wolf signed a new solo contract in Canada with British Columbia-based Cordova Bay Records as well as two new worldwide deals in Los Angeles, one for a publishing contract with BMG and another Digital "YouTube" deal with Collective Digital Studios. He co-wrote the OMI hit "Hula Hoop".

Karl Wolf
Background information
Birth nameCarl Abou Samah
Also known asKW, Karl Wolf
Born (1979-04-18) April 18, 1979
Beirut, Lebanon
OriginToronto, Ontario, Canada
GenresPop, R&B, soul, fusion
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, record producer, musician
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active2001–present
LabelsLW Records
LW Entertainment
EMI (2001–2010)
Universal Republic (2010)
Universal Music Canada (2011–present)
Websitewww.karlwolf.com

Early years

Wolf was born as Carl Abou Samah in Beirut, Lebanon. He came from a musical household. His mother was a piano instructor and his father played the oud, derbake and guitar. He moved on with his family to Sharjah, UAE when he was three years old due to the civil war in Lebanon. He studied in the UAE. In an interview with Shave Magazine, Karl explained that in Arabic, his family name (Abou Samah) means 'father of forgiveness'.[2] His stage name 'wolf' comes from a nickname he received on his high school basketball team because he was the smallest and quickest in his team. He also says his mother and father drove him to a career in music. Wolf's mother was a piano teacher and his father played guitar, drums, and the traditional Middle Eastern oud.

At 16, Wolf immigrated to Canada in 1995, residing in Montreal, Quebec.[2] He studied Film Studies at Montreal's Concordia University. He began his career "behind the scenes," and has been writing co-producing since 2001. Initially he was a backup singer for some hits by the Quebec band Dubmatique. The 2001 hit album from Gabrielle Destroismaisons generated two singles co-written by him that reached No. 1 on the BDS Francophone Charts, and the record earned him a Félix Award at the L'ADISQ Awards for "Best Mix and Sound of the Year".

Wolf's work with Gabrielle brought him to the attention of Antoine Sicotte, of the top-selling Canadian pop band Sky, where he was recruited as a singer-songwriter becoming Sky's new lead singer in 2002.[3] Wolf co-wrote and co-produced the third Sky album, Picture Perfect (on Sextant/EMI), with strong airplay across Canada. Sicotte and Wolf cooperated on the hugely successful Star Académie reality TV show in Quebec. The subsequent album was the biggest-selling album in Canada in 2003, notching a phenomenal sales in Canadian terms and earning Karl Wolf a SOCAN Award for Most Popular Song. A Star Académie II sequel in 2004 was another big success, the album going double-platinum.

Solo years (since 2005)

Karl Wolf performing in Montreal in June 2011

In 2005, Wolf ventured into a solo career. He released his debut solo album Face Behind the Face"[4] in January 2006. Since its release, the album broke in the Canadian Top 100 sales chart and spawned three singles, "Butterflies".[5] and "Desensitize",[6]

Wolf followed with a second studio album Bite the Bullet in November 2007. The first single release from the album was "Africa",[7] a remake of the worldwide hit Africa by Toto. The Karl Wolf remake features Canadian artist Culture. In early March 2009, with the release of the single on iTunes for digital downloads, it surged up from No. 32 to No. 2[8] on the issue of March 14, 2009 based on huge numbers of downloads over the previous week. It peaked at No. 1 on the iTunes charts and It also stayed at No. 2 for four further week on the chart of March 21 and 28 and April 4 and 11, 2009. Prior to iTunes download, it had topped at No. 20 in the same chart. This is so far Karl Wolf's most successful single to date. The song also topped the MuchMusic Top 30 Countdown charts and has also found success in Japan, peaking at No. 20 on the Japan Hot 100 chart. His follow-up single this year titled "Carrera" climbed to peak at No. 39 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100.

Nightlife, his third album was released on November 17, 2009.

After nine years with EMI Music, in March 2010 he signed a new recording contract in the United States with Universal Republic followed by a worldwide deal with Universal Music Canada in 2011. EMI Japan and EMI Middle East who still had exclusive license to Karl Wolf's upcoming album released Finally Free, his fourth album on July 10, 2012. Through his company, Lone Wolf Management, Karl Wolf also manages a number of new artists.

In September 2014, he released the album Stereotype followed in 2015 with the album WOW.

In April 2021, he released his tenth album 2AM Vibes with a number of collaborations.[9]

Lone Wolf Management / LW Entertainment / LW Records

In addition to his solo career, Wolf has established "LW Entertainment" and his own record label "LW Records" and recording studio (with LW standing for Lone Wolf).

Through his company, Lone Wolf Management, Karl Wolf also manages a number of new artists with his long time manager Pascal Malkoun.

Karl Wolf has also produced for Quebec singers Mitsou, Emily, Jérôme-Philippe (aka Disoul) also becoming for a time, part of the latter's band Dubmatique.

BAE (Be All Equal)

In 2015, Karl Wolf announced a collaboration under the name BAE (Be All Equal) that includes Karl Wolf and hip-hop artist Show Stephens and singer-songwriter Brenda Mullen. Co-produced by Wolf and DJ producer MasterTrak, the act is signed to Armin Van Buuren's Armada Music label. The formation's first single is "I'm Lonely".[10] Karl Wolf and BAE were included as one of the opening acts for renowned singer Akon's 2015 Canada-wide tour which also included acts like Peter Jackson and Afrocen3

Collaborations

Karl Wolf has collaborated with a number of artists, mainly from Canada. Choclair was featured in one of his earliest hits titled "Desensitize" and Canadian rapper Culture is featured in his biggest hit "Africa", whereas Rime and Kaz Money are featured in "Yalla Habibi". Sway was featured in "Hurting" and Kardinal Offishall was featured in "Ghetto Love". His single "Fuck Shit Up / Mash It Up" produced by Greg Stainer & Dany Neville featured Three 6 Mafia, Timbaland and B K Brasco in "Magic Hotel" and Fatman Scoop in "Let's Get Rowdy".

Also in 2015, Karl Wolf co-wrote with Omar Pasley (OMI), Jenson Vaughan and Matthew Humphrey OMI's international single "Hula Hoop", a follow-up to OMI's hit "Cheerleader".

Making a comeback in 2020, Karl Wolf collaborated with up and coming artist Raeshaun and was featured on the track "Dubai" in July,[11] paying homage to the city and country that took him and his family in during the Civil War in Lebanon.

  • Karl Wolf was a featured artist on the Arabic version of Star Academy broadcast on Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC). In the fifth season of the show, he was seen mentoring the contestants. Some joined him for renditions of his hits, including "Butterfly"[12] and "Africa"[13]
  • In 2011, he organized a Close Up Arabia campaign for recruiting participants in a music video project of his.[14] and the resulting music video.
  • Karl Wolf has also collaborated and performed in concerts with Akon, Ne-Yo, T-Pain and many more artists and as a special guest also. He co-wrote with Jenson Vaughan, Frank Bülles, Matthew Humphrey and Omar Pasley (OMI) the latter's international hit "Hula Hoop".

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
CAN JPN
[15]
Face Behind the Face
Bite the Bullet
  • Released: July 11, 2007
  • Label: Lone Wolf, EMI
  • Formats: CD, digital download
100
Karl Wolf
  • Released: June 25, 2008 (JPN)
  • Label: Lone Wolf, EMI
  • Formats: CD, digital download
23
Nightlife
  • Released: November 17, 2009
  • Label: Lone Wolf, EMI
  • Formats: CD, digital download
29
Ghetto Love
  • Released: August 24, 2011 (JPN)
  • Label: Lone Wolf, EMI
  • Formats: CD, digital download
54
Finally Free
  • Released: July 10, 2012
  • Label: Lone Wolf, Universal
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Stereotype
  • Released: September 2, 2014
  • Label: Lone Wolf, Universal
  • Formats: CD, digital download
WOW
  • Released: March 17, 2015
  • Label: Lone Wolf, EMI
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Blacklight (The Export, Vol. 2)
  • Released: September 7, 2018
  • Label: Lone Wolf
  • Formats: digital download
2AM Vibes
  • Released: April 16, 2021
  • Label: Lone Wolf
  • Formats: digital download

Compilation albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
CAN JPN
[15]
The Best of Karl Wolf

Extended plays

Title Album details
The Export Vol. 1

Singles

Year Single Chart positions[16] Certifications Album
CAN JPN
2005 "Butterflies" Face Behind the Face
2006 "Desensitize" (feat. Choclair)
"Referee"
2007 "She Wants to Know" Bite the Bullet
2008 "Africa" (feat. Culture) 2 20
2009 "Carrera" 39
"Yalla Habibi" (feat. Rime Salmi & Kaz Money) 24 51 Nightlife
2010 "Hurting" (feat. Sway) 55
"80's Baby"
2011 "Ghetto Love" (feat. Kardinal Offishall) 20 Finally Free
"Mash It Up" / "Fuck Shit Up" (feat. Three 6 Mafia) 28
2012 "DJ Gonna Save Us" (feat. Mr. OxXx) 58
2013 "Peace Out" (feat. P Reign)
"Go Your Own Way" Stereotype
2014 "Magic Hotel" (feat. Timbaland & BK Brasco) 75
"Summertime" / "Let's Get Rowdy (feat. Fatman Scoop) 48
2015 "Not Over Me Yet" (feat. MasterTrak) 46 WOW
"Toronto Love"
2016 "Amateur at Love" 100 The Export Vol. 1
2017 "Wherever You Go" The Best of
2019 "Yes"
(feat. Super Sako, Deena, Fito Blanko)
Non-album single
2020 "City of Lies"
(feat. Julius Wilson)
2AM Vibes
"Get Away"
2021 "Not Too Late"
"Ya Hilwe (Dance with Me Now)"
(with Sandy)
Non-album single
Others
  • 2007: "Hollow Girl" (feat. Striger)
  • 2007: "Butterflies" (with Eve)
  • 2008: "Like This" (feat. Sandman)
  • 2009: "Maniac Maniac" (feat. Culture)
  • 2009: "You Forgot About Me" (feat. Imposs)
  • 2009: "No Way Nobody" (feat. Loon)
  • 2011: "Tell Me" (feat. Nirvana Savoury)
  • 2013: "Go Your Own Way" (feat. Reema Major)
DateSong titlePerforming creditsPeak Chart
Position
CAN
Peak Chart
Position
SWI
Album title
2006"Get Down / Respire"VJ Malik Shaheed feat. Karl Wolf
 
 
Franglais by Malik Shaheed
2006"Weekend"Choclair feat. Karl Wolf
 
 
Flagship by Choclair
2006"Makes Me Wonder"Chopovski feat. Karl Wolf
 
 
Bite the Bullet by Chopovski
2008"Crazy Girl"Taio Cruz feat. Karl Wolf
 
 
2010"Si jeune"Jacob Guay feat. Karl Wolf
 
 
Si Jeune by Jacob Guay
2011"Enta Ma'ai"Diana Haddad feat. Karl Wolf
 
 
Bent Osol by Diana Haddad
2011"Yalla Asia"Jay Sean and Karl Wolf featuring Radhika Vekaria[18]
 
 
non-album single
2011"Everything Is All Wrong"Marc Mysterio feat. Karl Wolf and Jamie Sparks
 
 
non-album single
2012"Awel Mara Atgara"Sandy feat. Karl Wolf
 
 
2012"Turn It Up"Kardinal Offishall feat. Karl Wolf
32
 
2012"Frente A Frente"DJ Ricky Campanelli feat. Karl Wolf
 
 
Modestia Aparte
2013"Unbreakable"DJ Antoine feat. Karl Wolf
 
 
Sky Is The Limit by DJ Antoine
2013"Fire"David Obeji feat. Karl Wolf
 
 
2013"Stick Up"Shawn Desman feat. Karl Wolf
 
 
 
2014"Incredible"Jaden Chase feat. Karl Wolf
 
 
2015"Beat Again"Project 46 feat. Karl Wolf
 
 
Beautiful by Project 46
2018"Ole Ole"DJ Antoine feat. Karl Wolf & Fito Blanko
 
60
2020"Dubai"Raeshaun feat. Karl Wolf
 
 

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations for Karl Wolf
Year Award Category Nominated Work Result
2001 ADISQ (Felix Award) Best Mix and Sound of the Year "Gabrielle Destroismaisons" Won
2004 SOCAN Best popular song "Je vais changer le monde"
(Star Académie) in Quebec
Won
2007 Juno Awards R&B/Soul Recording of the Year Face Behind the Face Nominated
2008 MTV Europe Music Awards Best Arabia Act[19] Himself Won
2009 MuchMusic Video Awards Favourite New Artist/Group Himself Nominated
Pop Video of the Year "Africa" Nominated
2010 Sounds of Blackness Awards Best Anglophone R&B Artist or Group of the Year Himself Won
Anglophone Single of the Year "Africa" Won[20]
Canadian Radio Music Awards[21][22] Fan's Choice Award Himself Nominated
Best New Group or Solo Mainstream A/C Artist of the Year Himself (for "Africa") Nominated
Best New Group or Solo Hot A/C Artist of the Year Himself (for "Africa") Won
SOCAN Urban Music Award "Africa" Won
SOCAN Anglophone Song of the Year "Africa" Won
2011 Juno Awards R&B/Soul Recording of the Year Nightlife Nominated
2012 Juno Awards R&B/Soul Recording of the Year "Ghetto Love" Nominated
2012 SOCAN Anglophone Song of the Year "Hurting" Won
2013 Canadian Urban Music Awards Urban Artist of The Year Himself Won
2013 SOCAN Anglophone Song of the Year "Mash It Up" Won
2017 CUT Hip Hop Awards R&B Album of the Year "The Export Vol 1" Won
2022 Juno Awards Dance Recording of the Year "Get Away (Radio Edit)" Nominated

References

  1. Today's Outlook Magazine :: Lebanese Abroad Archived January 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  2. Karmali, Ziyah. "Interview: Karl Wolf". ShaveMagazine.com. Retrieved May 31, 2010.
  3. "Artists | Sky". MuchMusic.com. Archived from the original on May 6, 2009. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  4. "Karl Wolf Biography". Maplemusic.com. Archived from the original on September 26, 2009. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  5. YouTube – Karl Wolf – Butterflies
  6. YouTube – Karl Wolf Feat. Choclair – Desensitize
  7. YouTube – Karl Wolf Feat. Culture of "Africa"
  8. "Billboard Canadian Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  9. Cliché mag: Karl Wolf Releases Highly Awaited LP “2AM Vibes”
  10. EDM Tunes: BAE – I'm Lonely [Preview]
  11. Dubai, retrieved July 17, 2020
  12. "Performance of "Butterfly" on Star Academy". Archived from the original on January 19, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2011 via YouTube.
  13. "Performance of "Africa" in Star Academy". Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2011 via YouTube.
  14. "Welcome to CloseUp – Feel Fresh". Closeuparabia.com. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  15. "カール・ウルフの作品". Oricon. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  16. "Karl Wolf chart positions". Acharts.us. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  17. "Karl Wolf certifications". Music Canada. December 1, 2011. Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2011.
  18. Cover of single "Yalla Asia" Archived September 1, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  19. "MTV Europe Awards ceremony in Liverpool (6 November 2008) with Karl Wolf receiving Best Arabia New Act award". Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2011 via YouTube.
  20. "Gala SOBA page". MusiquePlus. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  21. Your Name (this will appear with your post). "Broadcaster Magazine: "Karl Wolf and Nickelback Lead Nominations for Radio Music Awards"". Broadcastermagazine.com. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  22. "CBC News: "Nickelback, Karl Wolf lead race for radio airplay awards"". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. January 13, 2010. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
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