# Karl Wolf

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This article is about the Canadian singer. For the German Olympic athlete, see [Karl Wolf (athlete)](/source/Karl_Wolf_(athlete)). For the German footballer, see [Karl Wolf (footballer)](/source/Karl_Wolf_(footballer)).

**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](/source/Toronto), Ontario, Canada.

Recently named “Father of A-Pop” Karl Wolf has been a singer, songwriter, and producer since 2001, releasing his first solo album *[Face Behind the Face](/source/Face_Behind_the_Face)* on MapleNationwide/Universal in 2006, followed by a second album *[Bite the Bullet](/source/Bite_the_Bullet_(Karl_Wolf_album))* in 2007. His third album [*Nightlife*](/source/Nightlife_(Karl_Wolf_album)) was released in 2009 followed by *[Finally Free](/source/Finally_Free_(album))* in 2012, *Stereotype* in 2014 and *[WOW](/source/WOW_(Karl_Wolf_album))* in 2015. His biggest hit has been a remake of [Toto](/source/Toto_(band))'s "[Africa](/source/Africa_(Karl_Wolf_song))" sampling from the song and providing new lyrics and arrangements.

Through his company, Lone Wolf Management, 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](/source/Sony_BMG) and another Digital "YouTube" deal with Collective Digital Studios. He co-wrote the [OMI](/source/Omi_(singer)) hit "[Hula Hoop](/source/Hula_Hoop_(Omi_song))".

## Early years

Wolf was born as Carl Abou Samah in [Beirut](/source/Beirut), Lebanon. He came from a musical household. His mother was a piano instructor and his father played the [oud](/source/Oud), [derbake](/source/Goblet_drum) and guitar. He moved on with his family to [Sharjah](/source/Sharjah), [UAE](/source/UAE) when he was three years old due to the [civil war in Lebanon](/source/Lebanese_Civil_War). 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](/source/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](/source/Oud).

At 16, Wolf immigrated to Canada in 1995, residing in [Montreal](/source/Montreal), Quebec.[2] He studied Film Studies at Montreal's [Concordia University](/source/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](/source/Dubmatique). The 2001 hit album from [Gabrielle Destroismaisons](/source/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](/source/F%C3%A9lix_Award) at the L'[ADISQ](/source/ADISQ) Awards for "Best Mix and Sound of the Year".

Wolf's work with Gabrielle brought him to the attention of [Antoine Sicotte](/source/Antoine_Sicotte), of the top-selling Canadian pop band [Sky](/source/Sky_(Canadian_band)), 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](/source/Sky_(Canadian_band)) album, *Picture Perfect* (on Sextant/EMI), with strong airplay across Canada. Sicotte and Wolf cooperated on the hugely successful *[Star Académie](/source/Star_Acad%C3%A9mie)* reality TV show in [Quebec](/source/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](/source/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)

In 2005, Wolf ventured into a solo career. He released his debut solo album *[Face Behind the Face](/source/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](/source/Bite_the_Bullet_(Karl_Wolf_album))* in November 2007. The first single release from the album was "[Africa](/source/Africa_(Karl_Wolf_song))",[7] a remake of the worldwide hit [Africa](/source/Africa_(song)) by [Toto](/source/Toto_(band)). The Karl Wolf remake features Canadian artist [Culture](/source/Culture_(musician)). In early March 2009, with the release of the single on [iTunes](/source/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](/source/Countdown_(MuchMusic_TV_series)) 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](/source/Carrera_(Song))" climbed to peak at No. 39 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100.

*[Nightlife](/source/Nightlife_(Karl_Wolf_album))*, his third album, was released on November 17, 2009.

After nine years with [EMI](/source/EMI) Music, in March 2010 he signed a new recording contract in the United States with [Universal Republic](/source/Universal_Republic) followed by a worldwide deal with [Universal Music Canada](/source/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](/source/Finally_Free_(album))*, 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](/source/Mitsou), Emily, Jérôme-Philippe (aka Disoul) also becoming for a time, part of the latter's band [Dubmatique](/source/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](/source/Armin_Van_Buuren)'s [Armada Music](/source/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](/source/Culture_(musician)) is featured in his biggest hit "[Africa](/source/Africa_(Karl_Wolf_song))", whereas Rime and Kaz Money are featured in "[Yalla Habibi](/source/Yalla_Habibi_(Karl_Wolf_song))". [Sway](/source/Sway_DaSafo) was featured in "Hurting" and [Kardinal Offishall](/source/Kardinal_Offishall) was featured in "[Ghetto Love](/source/Ghetto_Love_(Karl_Wolf_song))". His single "Fuck Shit Up / Mash It Up" produced by [Greg Stainer](/source/Greg_Stainer) & Dany Neville featured [Three 6 Mafia](/source/Three_6_Mafia), [Timbaland](/source/Timbaland) and B K Brasco in "[Magic Hotel](/source/Magic_Hotel)" and [Fatman Scoop](/source/Fatman_Scoop) in "[Let's Get Rowdy](/source/Let's_Get_Rowdy)".

Also in 2015, Karl Wolf co-wrote with [Omar Pasley](/source/Omi_(singer)) (OMI), Jenson Vaughan and Matthew Humphrey [OMI](/source/Omi_(singer))'s international single "[Hula Hoop](/source/Hula_Hoop_(Omi_song))", a follow-up to OMI's hit "[Cheerleader](/source/Cheerleader_(Omi_song))".

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.

## In popular culture

- Karl Wolf was a featured artist on the Arabic version of *[Star Academy](/source/Star_Academy_Arab_World)* broadcast on [Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation](/source/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.[\[1\]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4uTHpaYytI)
- Karl Wolf has also collaborated and performed in concerts with [Akon](/source/Akon), [Ne-Yo](/source/Ne-Yo), [T-Pain](/source/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](/source/OMI_(singer))) the latter's international hit "[Hula Hoop](/source/Hula_Hoop)".

## Discography

### Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions CAN JPN [15] Face Behind the Face Released: December 2004 Label: Lone Wolf Formats: CD, digital download — — 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 Released: October 20, 2017 Label: Lone Wolf, Universal Formats: CD, digital download — —

### Extended plays

Title Album details The Export Vol. 1 Released: June 17, 2016 Label: Lone Wolf, Cordova Bay Formats: CD, digital download

### 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 MC: 4× Platinum[17] 2009 "Carrera" 39 — MC: Gold[17] "Yalla Habibi" (feat. Rime Salmi & Kaz Money) 24 51 MC: Gold[17] Nightlife 2010 "Hurting" (feat. Sway) 55 — "80's Baby" — — 2011 "Ghetto Love" (feat. Kardinal Offishall) 20 — MC: Gold[17] Finally Free "Mash It Up" / "Fuck Shit Up" (feat. Three 6 Mafia) 28 — MC: Gold[17] 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 — MC: Gold[17] The Export Vol. 1 2017 "Wherever You Go" — — The Best of 2019 "Yes" (feat. Super Sako, Deena, Fito Blanko) — — 2020 "City of Lies" (feat. Julius Wilson) — — 2AM Vibes "Get Away" — — 2021 "Not Too Late" — — "Ya Hilwe (Dance with Me Now)" (with Sandy) — —

**Others**

- 2007: "Hollow Girl" (feat. [Striger](/source/Striger))
- 2007: "Butterflies" (with Eve)
- 2008: "Like This" (feat. Sandman)
- 2009: "Maniac Maniac" (feat. [Culture](/source/Culture_(musician)))
- 2009: "You Forgot About Me" (feat. [Imposs](/source/Imposs))
- 2009: "No Way Nobody" (feat. [Loon](/source/Loon_(rapper)))
- 2011: "Tell Me" (feat. Nirvana Savoury)
- 2013: "Go Your Own Way" (feat. Reema Major)

### Featured artist

Date Song title Performing credits Peak 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 – – 2023 "Firealarm" Dani Doucette 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" 2004 SOCAN Best popular song "Je vais changer le monde" (Star Académie) in Quebec 2007 Juno Awards R&B/Soul Recording of the Year Face Behind the Face 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards Best Arabia Act[19] Himself 2009 MuchMusic Video Awards Favourite New Artist/Group Himself Pop Video of the Year "Africa" 2010 Sounds of Blackness Awards Best Anglophone R&B Artist or Group of the Year Himself Anglophone Single of the Year "Africa" [20] Canadian Radio Music Awards[21][22] Fan's Choice Award Himself Best New Group or Solo Mainstream A/C Artist of the Year Himself (for "Africa") Best New Group or Solo Hot A/C Artist of the Year Himself (for "Africa") SOCAN Urban Music Award "Africa" SOCAN Anglophone Song of the Year "Africa" 2011 Juno Awards R&B/Soul Recording of the Year Nightlife 2012 Juno Awards R&B/Soul Recording of the Year "Ghetto Love" 2012 SOCAN Anglophone Song of the Year "Hurting" 2013 Canadian Urban Music Awards Urban Artist of The Year Himself 2013 SOCAN Anglophone Song of the Year "Mash It Up" 2017 CUT Hip Hop Awards R&B Album of the Year "The Export Vol 1" 2019 SOCAN POP MUSIC AWARD (songwriter) "Not A Love Song" by Bulow 2022 Juno Awards Dance Recording of the Year "Get Away (Radio Edit)"

## References

1. [Today's Outlook Magazine :: Lebanese Abroad](http://www.todaysoutlook.com/lebanese/thisissue/index.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070127075933/http://www.todaysoutlook.com/lebanese/thisissue/index.htm) January 27, 2007 at the Wayback Machine

1. Karmali, Ziyah. ["Interview: Karl Wolf"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100607004148/http://www.shavemagazine.com/entertainment/Interview-Karl-Wolf). *ShaveMagazine.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.shavemagazine.com/entertainment/Interview-Karl-Wolf) on June 7, 2010. Retrieved May 31, 2010.

1. ["Artists | Sky"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090506075018/http://www.muchmusic.com/music/artists/bio.asp?artist=678). MuchMusic.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.muchmusic.com/music/artists/bio.asp?artist=678) on May 6, 2009. Retrieved March 10, 2011.

1. ["Karl Wolf Biography"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090926012413/http://www.maplemusic.com/artists/krl/bio.asp). Maplemusic.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.maplemusic.com/artists/krl/bio.asp) on September 26, 2009. Retrieved March 10, 2011.

1. [YouTube – Karl Wolf – Butterflies](https://web.archive.org/web/20160310125007/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVLkLqG9UMI)

1. [YouTube – Karl Wolf Feat. Choclair – Desensitize](https://web.archive.org/web/20160322041241/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6gmj4nS7iP)

1. [YouTube – Karl Wolf Feat. Culture of "Africa"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BkVbgy0jf4)

1. "Billboard Canadian Hot 100 Chart". *Billboard*. Retrieved March 10, 2011.

1. [Cliché mag: Karl Wolf Releases Highly Awaited LP “2AM Vibes”](https://www.clichemag.com/music/karl-wolf-releases-highly-awaited-lp-2am-vibes/)

1. [EDM Tunes: BAE – I'm Lonely \[Preview\]](http://www.edmtunes.com/2015/06/bae-im-lonely-preview/)

1. ["Dubai"](https://open.spotify.com/track/5qQJnEVF4fR7TRcIXLAKOt), retrieved 2020-07-17

1. ["Performance of "Butterfly" on *Star Academy*"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160119162345/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7kmtPTgFQA). Archived from [the original](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7kmtPTgFQA) on January 19, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2011. – via YouTube.

1. ["Performance of "Africa" in *Star Academy*"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9kp-UsrCFo). March 29, 2008. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/M9kp-UsrCFo) December 15, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 10, 2011. – via YouTube.

1. ["Welcome to CloseUp – Feel Fresh"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110307021143/http://www.closeuparabia.com/). Closeuparabia.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.closeuparabia.com/) on March 7, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.

1. ["カール・ウルフの作品"](https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/452428/products/). *[Oricon](/source/Oricon)*. Retrieved July 27, 2020.

1. ["Karl Wolf chart positions"](http://acharts.us/performer/karl_wolf). Acharts.us. Retrieved March 10, 2011.

1. ["Karl Wolf certifications"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120502114325/http://musiccanada.com/GPSearchResult.aspx?st=&ica=False&sa=karl%20wolf&sl=&smt=0&sat=-1&ssb=Artist). Music Canada. December 1, 2011. Archived from [the original](https://musiccanada.com/GPSearchResult.aspx?st=&ica=False&sa=karl%20wolf&sl=&smt=0&sat=-1&ssb=Artist) on May 2, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2011.

1. [Cover of single "Yalla Asia"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110901164338/http://viz4u.net/blog/plus/cover/Yalla%20Asia.jpg)

1. ["MTV Europe Awards ceremony in Liverpool (6 November 2008) with Karl Wolf receiving Best Arabia New Act award"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxKOfGaligY). December 15, 2008. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/uxKOfGaligY) December 15, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 10, 2011. – via YouTube.

1. ["Gala SOBA page"](http://musiqueplus.com/gala-soba/videos/dans-les-coulisses-du-gala-soba). MusiquePlus. Retrieved March 10, 2011.

1. Your Name (this will appear with your post). ["*Broadcaster* Magazine: "Karl Wolf and Nickelback Lead Nominations for Radio Music Awards""](https://archive.today/20120729225142/http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/issues/ISArticle.asp?aid=1000354412). Broadcastermagazine.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/issues/ISArticle.asp?aid=1000354412) on July 29, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2011.

1. ["*CBC News*: "Nickelback, Karl Wolf lead race for radio airplay awards""](https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/nickelback-karl-wolf-lead-race-for-radio-airplay-awards-1.928415). Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. January 13, 2010. Retrieved March 10, 2011.

## External links

- [Karl Wolf Official site](http://www.karlwolf.com)
- [Karl Wolf MySpace Page](http://www.myspace.com/karlwolftheartist)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Karl Wolf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Wolf) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Wolf?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.