The new millennium
No Regrets
Oyoun Qalbi (2000)
Oyoun Qalbi (2000)
Another year, another change from Najwa Karam. This time it came about in the form of a music album called Oyoun Qalbi. Oyoun Qalbi was a more romantic, reflective body of work compared to Karam's previous albums. Its major included Majboura (I have to) which had a modern jazz influence, and the "power ballets", Oyoun Qalbi (Sweetheart) and Khaleek al Ard (Stay down to earth). A music video was made for the Najwa 2000 megamix, which contained samples from each song on the Oyoun Qalbi album.
Nedmaneh (2001)
Nedmaneh (2001)
In 2001, Karam made her record breaking release Nedmaneh. It sold over 4 million copies worldwide, and is one of Najwa's most acclaimed albums to date. It 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 (Falling in love) 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 to any Arabic song at the time, and appealed to a wide range of audiences. The success of Nedmaneh brought about a number of 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 honouring assemble was held on Saturday, June 23, 2001 where Karam was awarded for her achievements throughout her singing career and for the huge success of Nedmaneh. The ceremony was held at the Venesia Hotel, Beirut, Lebanon. In attendance were the Lebanese Minister of Information, Ghazi Al-Aredi who was representing the President of the Lebanese Republic, Emile Lahoud, prominent singer Wadih el Safi, acclaimed composer Elias Rahbani and a number of journalists and reporters. During the night, Karam sang some of her hits (old and new), and was presented with numerous medals and trophies. The recording was released on a special edition CD (Live in Concert), along with a compilation CD comprising of Najwa's hits from 1989-2000 titled The Very Best Of Najwa Karam.
Tahamouni (2002)
Tahamouni (2002)
Karam's 2002 album, Tahamouni, was far removed from the "easy going" contemporary feel of Oyoun Qalbi and Nedmaneh, and audiences noticed. The album was intended to get back in touch with a more youthful audience from other Arab nations, with whom had taken slight dis-interest in Karam's music from the late 90s. This was shown though songs like Tahamouni (They accused me) which included attempts at rapping, and Ew'a Tekoun Ze'alt (I hope you're not mad at me) which seemed to have a complete Western influence. The songs had a youthful sound.
[edit] Charmed
Saharni (2003)
Saharni (2003)
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.
Najwa Karam's promotional street concert for her album, Saharni in Downtown Beirut
Najwa Karam's promotional street concert for her album, Saharni in Downtown Beirut
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 (Charmed).
Karam 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.
Shu Mghaira..! (2004)
Shu Mghaira..! (2004)
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 in Carthage, (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.
[edit] 2005 and beyond
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.
[edit] Just Got Greater
Kibir'el Hob (2005). Billboards for this album initially featured Karam's hand upon the horizon.
Kibir'el Hob (2005). Billboards for this album initially featured Karam's hand upon the horizon.
In 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.
[edit] "I'M STILL HERE & NOW YOU ARE TALKING"
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 " ( Now you are talking ) A new Lebanese album with Najwa Karam's special flavor in it. This album include 8 excellent songs as usual. - Hayda Haki ( now your talking )- Hata Be Ahlamak ( Even in your dreams) - El Hanoouni (The kind one ) - Behkik ( Talk to you )- Ana Rouh ( I'm a Soul ) - Nawer Eyami ( Light my days ) - Law Mabtekzob ( If you don't lie ) - Raje3 Tes2al 3a Meen ? ( Your returning to ask for who ? ) Different kind of styles in each song. A powerful mawwal in Raje3 Tes2al 3a Meen and a nice/soft mawwal for el Hanoouni. Law Mabtekzob 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 will be the next song (after her 06-07 HUGE hit " Shu Hal Hala" ) that Najwa Karam will shoot as a video clip with Lebanese director Said el Marouk. Behkik will be the second song from her album to be shot also with Said el Marook
Najwa Karam will shine this year in Jerash, Jordan. A very busy summer for Najwa Karam with concerts.
In February of 2008 Najwa Karam will released her second deuto with El Mosikar Melhim Baraket titled " Yemkin Nethana Be Hobak " ( We May Be Happy with your love ) after there last song for beloved Lebanon " Rah Yeb2a el Watan " ( The Country will remain ) in August 2006.
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,Palestine,the Gulf,Libya,Syria,Jorden and other Arabic countries
10,000 copies of the album " Haida Haki " were sold in one area of Lebanon in the first date of its' release.
Najwa Karam was a guest on the show " Album " on MBC 1. On June 29, 2007, Najwa Karam did shine on Album's stage , one week before Album's final prime. She started by singing Hayda Haki by herself. Secondly, she sang Shu Hal Hala with one of the three groups. Thirdly, she sang Law Ma Btkzeb from Hayda Haki with another of the three groups. and with the three groups that are competing to win the show.
Special show on Rotana for Najwa Karam only, where Najwa will promote her new album "Haida Haki" and many singers will be talking about Najwa Karam including: Diana Haddad, Angham, Rwaida Attieh, Wadih el Safi, and others.
Promotion for the new album had been seen on LBC channel, with shots of the album and Haida Haki playing in the background.
In June she released her latest video clip : "Hayda Hakii", which displayed her character in a romantic atmosphere and love shots, In it's first on the charts she landed on the 1st spot.