Karl Wolf performs at the LAHC reception.

DEARBORN — Last week, Lebanese Canadian singer Karl Wolf, 34, paid a visit to Dearborn, where he performed at Byblos Banquet Hall, during a ceremony, sponsored by the Lebanese American Heritage Club (LAHC). 

Karl, whose birth name is Carl Abou Samah, has been active in the music scene since he immigrated from Lebanon to Canada with his family, when he was just 17 years old. As the child of parents who were both musicians in Lebanon, Karl was determined to break through the English music scene in North America.  He began by auditioning for bands and gaining notoriety as a local DJ.

Through his local connections in Montreal, Karl was able to write and record his own demo at a recording studio, which was eventually shopped around to record labels. In 2005, he landed a record deal with EMI music and released his debut album “Face Behind the Face,” which set off his hit single “Butterflies.” Since then, he has established a large fan base in countries like Canada, Japan and Lebanon, and within the Arab American community in the United States.

In a sit-down interview with The Arab American News, Karl discusses his love for music, career highlights, his opinion on the current instability in the Middle East and his upcoming projects.

Karl Wolf: I’ve gotten 13 awards in my career as a musician, but when you get an award that goes beyond music and is about touching people’s lives, by motivating and inspiring the youth to do what they want, it means even more to me.  I really had to prove myself in my career and life, and it goes beyond being an Arab Canadian. I really had to fight very hard for what I have. You don’t just get lucky; you have to work for it. 

KW: It depends on the song, but generally I would say it’s a mix of R&B, pop and my own Arabian-Middle Eastern fusion.

I was really excited to work with Reema Major. She’s 18 and is this young prodigy, who is signed to the Jimmy Iovine record label, under Waka Flocka’s management.  I’m always trying to include my culture in my music somehow. The song has a unique and new sound that North America has not really touched on. We are shooting the video in Dubai in July, and it’s going to be an interesting ride. 

KW: Not at all, because music is such a universal language. Even in Japan, they react the same way to my songs as anywhere else. If politicians were actual musicians, the world would be a much better place. You can grab the attention of the youth through music. It really is an incredible thing. Through time, I began to realize that my message in my music was important.   

KW: My heart bleeds everyday for what is going on there. We are such beautiful people, and we have so much to offer. We can really affect the world in a positive way, yet we always end up taking steps back. I always hold myself back from making a comment, because my dad, who grew up during the civil war in Lebanon, taught me to never talk about politics and religion. If you don’t know too much about it, then it’s not your place to put your two cents in. I wish there was more I could do, but I’m always offering my sympathy and help, in my own way, to those who need it. 

KW: I have two moments that really stand out. The first was opening up for Mary J. Blige in Dubai, because it was my first professional major concert, and it was an honor for me, because Mary J. loved my album and asked me to open up for her. That was a moment that pretty much changed my career.

A second big moment was at the MTV Europe Awards when I won “Best Arabian Act.” I was on the red carpet that year with Kanye West and Beyonce, and I even did sound check while they were there during rehearsals. It’s a moment in my life that I will never forget.  

KW: I like George Wassouf, but I loved his voice and emotion even more after seeing him live. Michael Jackson was of course a huge influence growing up, from a theatrical and music video standpoint. He knew how to make music fun. He made you dream and aspire to be an artist just like him. 

KW: Right now, I’m focused on my new album. But in terms of acting, I would love to eventually get into that.  I just don’t want to be one of those singers, turned actors. My theory is, if you want to be great at something, then you really need to do research and training first. I’m a perfectionist, so my goal is to always be good at what I do. I’m good at the music thing, so let me stick to what I do best now.  But one day, inshallah, I will look into acting.

KW: Of course it’s a challenge for Arabs, but that’s no excuse, because it’s challenging for everyone, and you have to get over that hump first. I believe that if you are great at your craft, then it doesn’t matter who you are, or where you come from, as long as you put your heart in your craft. If you look beyond that, then others will look beyond it as well. 

Eight years after his debut, Karl is preparing to release his fifth studio album this fall, under a worldwide recording deal with Universal Republic, which houses other popular recording acts, like Lil’ Wayne, Nicki Minaj and Enrique Iglesias.  

The first single off of the album “Go Your Own Way,” a collaboration with Reema Major, was released on Itunes on June 25th and can be purchased for $1.29.