Kareem Salama
Encyclopedia
Kareem Salama is an Egyptian American
musician. He is known as the first American
Muslim
country music
singer. His music is a hybrid of country
, pop
and rock music
. He has released 3 albums Generous Peace (2006) This Life of Mine (2007) and a third City of Lights (2011), the latter after signing for LightRain Records.
, United States
. His parents immigrated to the United States
from Egypt
in the late 1960s
to attend graduate school. Kareem Salama, literally translates to Generous Peace, that he also used as title of his first album. He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering
from the University of Oklahoma
and a graduate degree in Law
from the University of Iowa
.
and London
. He also took part in a State Department European concert tour, performing in Paris
. He has been featured in major media outlets like the New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, Readers' Digest, Fox News, Sky News
and France 24
. Salama was also invited to dinner at the White House
where he met President Barack Obama
who said to Salama "You can sing!". In October 2008, he also performed at the Global Peace and Unity Event
.
After the success of the first two self-released albums Generous Peace and This Life of Mine, Salama is now working on his first mainstream worldwide release during 2011 through LightRain Records to which he is signed. Kareem continues to work with friend and producer Aristotle Mihalopoulos as well as producers Rich Whiting and Dan Workman (whose credits include artists such as Beyonce and Clay Walker
).
"Generous Peace EP" is his debut single, with fully remastered version of the original recording from the album. The main track in English is seconded by a blingual English / Arabic rendition with additional refrain in Arabic
.
Salama also embarked on a Middle East
tour in summer 2010. visiting Egypt
, Morocco
, Syria
, Jordan
, Kuwait
and Bahrain
. Upon his return, he has released two music videos, the promotional "Makes Me Crazy" and the official release "Be Free Now" featuring Kelley Peters.
With his parent's encouragement and financial assistance, both American-trained engineers, Salama began recording his first album while in law school with Greek-American producer, Aristotle Mihalopoulos. Salama says of Mihalopoulos: "Initially, Aristotle and I met for the sole purpose of making music but his friendship has become more valuable to me than any material success I may find in the music world. The bond I made with Aristotle and his family confirmed that good comes from listening to the good inspiration in my heart; even it is not the good you may have set out to reach."
Salama was born and raised in a small town at the edge of Green Country in Oklahoma. He has memorized classical western poetry and classical Arabic poetry. He enjoys boxing and riding horses. But perhaps most interestingly this son of Egyptian immigrants is a singer/songwriter with a country and pop flare.
While in school, Salama made time to work on his music with a friend and producer Aristotle Mihalopoulos. Salama says that his music is inspired by a variety of things including his own experiences, experiences of friends and family, and things that he reads. As a result of growing in Oklahoma Salama was around country music from the time he was very young and is attracted to the stories and the reverent nature of country music.
Salama highlights universal themes about love, home and family values. His songs are spiritual, without being overtly religious. One inspired by the writings of an eighth-century Islamic scholar, Imam Muhammed Al-Shafi’ee, endorses the idea of tolerance and avoiding violence in his debut single "Generous Peace": “Gentleman, I’m like incense, the more you burn me, the more I'm fragrant.”
The WitWits:
Egyptian American
Egyptian Americans are Americans of Egyptian ancestry, first-generation Egyptian immigrants, or descendants of Egyptians who immigrated to the United States. In the 2007 U.S. census, the number of people with Egyptian ancestry was estimated at 195,000, although some estimates range from several...
musician. He is known as the first American
Americans
The people of the United States, also known as simply Americans or American people, are the inhabitants or citizens of the United States. The United States is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer. His music is a hybrid of country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
, pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
. He has released 3 albums Generous Peace (2006) This Life of Mine (2007) and a third City of Lights (2011), the latter after signing for LightRain Records.
Background and education
Salama was born in Ponca City, OklahomaOklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. His parents immigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
in the late 1960s
1960s
The 1960s was the decade that started on January 1, 1960, and ended on December 31, 1969. It was the seventh decade of the 20th century.The 1960s term also refers to an era more often called The Sixties, denoting the complex of inter-related cultural and political trends across the globe...
to attend graduate school. Kareem Salama, literally translates to Generous Peace, that he also used as title of his first album. He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering
Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with physical science , and life sciences with mathematics and economics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms...
from the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
and a graduate degree in Law
Law degree
A Law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally preparation for legal careers; but while their curricula may be reviewed by legal authority, they do not themselves confer a license...
from the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
.
Career
Salama has performed in front of wide audiences as far as RomeRome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
and London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He also took part in a State Department European concert tour, performing in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. He has been featured in major media outlets like the New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, Readers' Digest, Fox News, Sky News
Sky News
Sky News is a 24-hour British and international satellite television news broadcaster with an emphasis on UK and international news stories.The service places emphasis on rolling news, including the latest breaking news. Sky News also hosts localised versions of the channel in Australia and in New...
and France 24
France 24
France 24 is an international news and current affairs television channel. The service is aimed at the overseas market, similar to BBC World News, DW-TV, NHK World and RT, and broadcast through satellite and cable operators throughout the world. During 2010 the channel started broadcasting through...
. Salama was also invited to dinner at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
where he met President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
who said to Salama "You can sing!". In October 2008, he also performed at the Global Peace and Unity Event
Global Peace and Unity
The Global Peace and Unity event is an annual two-day conference held at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre in Royal Victoria Dock, London and organized by the Islam Channel. It is the largest Muslim, interfaith and multicultural event of its kind in Europe, having attracted over 55,000 visitors from...
.
After the success of the first two self-released albums Generous Peace and This Life of Mine, Salama is now working on his first mainstream worldwide release during 2011 through LightRain Records to which he is signed. Kareem continues to work with friend and producer Aristotle Mihalopoulos as well as producers Rich Whiting and Dan Workman (whose credits include artists such as Beyonce and Clay Walker
Clay Walker
Ernest Clayton "Clay" Walker Jr. is an American country music artist. He made his debut in 1993 with the single "What's It to You," which reached Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts, as did its follow-up, 1994's "Live Until I Die." Both singles were included on...
).
"Generous Peace EP" is his debut single, with fully remastered version of the original recording from the album. The main track in English is seconded by a blingual English / Arabic rendition with additional refrain in Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
.
Salama also embarked on a Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
tour in summer 2010. visiting Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
, Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
, Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
, Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
and Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
. Upon his return, he has released two music videos, the promotional "Makes Me Crazy" and the official release "Be Free Now" featuring Kelley Peters.
Influences
Salama never planned on making a music album, but in his household the rule was “if the opportunity is available and your heart inclines towards something, then don’t be afraid to give it a try.” This philosophy led Salama to begin song-writing as a way to memorize classical western poems like John Donne’s “A Valediction Forbidding Mourning”.With his parent's encouragement and financial assistance, both American-trained engineers, Salama began recording his first album while in law school with Greek-American producer, Aristotle Mihalopoulos. Salama says of Mihalopoulos: "Initially, Aristotle and I met for the sole purpose of making music but his friendship has become more valuable to me than any material success I may find in the music world. The bond I made with Aristotle and his family confirmed that good comes from listening to the good inspiration in my heart; even it is not the good you may have set out to reach."
Salama was born and raised in a small town at the edge of Green Country in Oklahoma. He has memorized classical western poetry and classical Arabic poetry. He enjoys boxing and riding horses. But perhaps most interestingly this son of Egyptian immigrants is a singer/songwriter with a country and pop flare.
While in school, Salama made time to work on his music with a friend and producer Aristotle Mihalopoulos. Salama says that his music is inspired by a variety of things including his own experiences, experiences of friends and family, and things that he reads. As a result of growing in Oklahoma Salama was around country music from the time he was very young and is attracted to the stories and the reverent nature of country music.
Salama highlights universal themes about love, home and family values. His songs are spiritual, without being overtly religious. One inspired by the writings of an eighth-century Islamic scholar, Imam Muhammed Al-Shafi’ee, endorses the idea of tolerance and avoiding violence in his debut single "Generous Peace": “Gentleman, I’m like incense, the more you burn me, the more I'm fragrant.”
The WitWits
The WitWits is a television youth project and is a LightRain Records presentation in association with Zenfilm. It is co-written by Kareem and Omar Salama, directed by W. Ross Wells and produced by Meridith Melville and Brittany Holland. The WitWits is about four kids, Kelly Ann (Alicia Lore), Super K (Caleb Duncan), Spencer (Austin Karkowsky), and Dougie (Grant Goodman) and their adventures in the 1980s, particularly in facing their nemesis, Rodney (Connor Jones). The project includes various television episodes, theatrical music videos as well as musical releases including promotional materials, singles with their debut "Radio Countdown" and a prospective album. The WitWits have also taken part in three release features by Kareem Salama, in "Makes Me Crazy", a promotional song for the project, "Be Free Now" featuring Kelley Peters with appearances of all the kids and "1980 Something" a long video featuring The WitWits in musical as well as theatrical presentation.2006: Generous Peace
- Get Busy Living
- Baby I'm a Soldier
- A Land Called Paradise
- Valley
- Hold On
- Peace Remain
- Come Now
- Lady Mary
- Chivalry's Not Dead
2007: This Life of Mine
- This Life of Mine
- Generous Peace
- More Than
- I Miss You (Hopefully)
- Rise Up Protectors
- My Tears Aren't Pure
- It Came to Be
- A Friend Like You
- Get Busy Living (Acoustic)
- My Way Home
- Aristotle and Averroes
2011: City of Lights
- Makes Me Crazy (3:31)
- Heavenly Dreams (feat. Kelley Peters) (4:13)
- 1980 Something (feat. The WitWits) (4:12)
- City of Lights (4:57)
- We Could Be Friends (3:54)
- Believe in Love (4:58)
- If I Could (3:28)
- Generous Peace (3:31)
- Beat in My Heart (feat. Electric Love Café) (4:29)
- Love Relentlessly (3:41)
- When I Fall (4:03)
- Picnics and Sunshine (3:39)
- Aristotle and Averroes (3:29)
- Baby I'm a Soldier (4:51)
- Baby I'm a Soldier (Part II) (1:21)
2009: "Generous Peace" (EP)
Tracklist:- Generous Peace
- Generous Peace (Pop Remix)
- Generous Peace (Acoustic Remix)
- When I Fall (Bonus track)
- Generous Peace Arabic
- Generous Peace Arabic (Pop Remix)
- Generous Peace Arabic (Acoustic Remix)
Videography
- "Generous Peace" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ursOHxkDKfE (music video directed by Lena Khan)
- "Generous Peace" (Arabic) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP1O3liDQl8
- "Makes Me Crazy" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WYt5EC3oJE
- "Be Free Now" (feat. Kelley Peters) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNwMnfMp52E
- "1980 Something" (feat. The WitWits) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBCPcTgFOL4
Kareem Salama in popular culture
- On May 9, 2007, Kareem Salama was interviewed on Fox News about various Muslim American issues.
- A reportage and brief interview about him was broadcast on France 24France 24France 24 is an international news and current affairs television channel. The service is aimed at the overseas market, similar to BBC World News, DW-TV, NHK World and RT, and broadcast through satellite and cable operators throughout the world. During 2010 the channel started broadcasting through...
. - In March 2008, he was interviewed on Arab Radio and Television NetworkArab Radio and Television NetworkArab Radio and Television Network is an Arabic-language television network characterized by its multitude of channels. It is based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The company was founded in October 1993 by Saleh Abdullah Kamel, a Saudi businessman...
(ART) program "From America" by Jihan Mansour. He also performed live renditions of some of his songs with Aristotle Mihalopoulos - On 13 July 2008, he was interviewed on Sky NewsSky NewsSky News is a 24-hour British and international satellite television news broadcaster with an emphasis on UK and international news stories.The service places emphasis on rolling news, including the latest breaking news. Sky News also hosts localised versions of the channel in Australia and in New...
by Adam Boulton. - In December 2007, two thousand Muslim AmericansIslam in the United StatesFrom the 1880s to 1914, several thousand Muslims immigrated to the United States from the Ottoman Empire, and from parts of South Asia; they did not form distinctive settlements, and probably most assimilated into the wider society....
were asked what they wished to say to the rest of the world. Some of their answers were used in the video presentation, using Kareem Salama's song. Lena Khan used Kareem Salama song "A Land Called Paradise" and put out an independent video based on the various quotations received from the survey of Muslim Americans.
External links
- Kareem Salama Official website
- Kareem Salama MySpace site
- Kareem Salama Official YouTube site
- Kareem Salama Facebook page
- Kareem Salama Twitter page
- LightRain Records official website
The WitWits: