Keren Karolina Avratz, professionally known as Karolina, is a singer/songwriter from

Eilat Eilat ( , ; he, אֵילַת ; ar, إِيلَات, Īlāt) is Israel's southernmost city, with a population of , a busy port and popular resort at the northern tip of the Red Sea, on what is known in Israel as the Gulf of Eilat and in Jordan ...

Israel Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...

. She is the lead singer of the trio

Habanot Nechama Habanot Nechama ( he, הַבָּנוֹת נֶחָמָה, "The Comfort Girls" or "The Daughters of Consolation") is an Israeli folk band. The group is composed of three female vocalists: Karolina, Dana Adini, and Yael Deckelbaum. They are best kno ...

Biography

Keren (Karolina) Avratz was born on 19 March 1971 in

Jaffa Jaffa, in Hebrew Yafo ( he, יָפוֹ, ) and in Arabic Yafa ( ar, يَافَا) and also called Japho or Joppa, the southern and oldest part of Tel Aviv-Yafo, is an ancient port city in Israel. Jaffa is known for its association with the b ...

and raised in Eilat. Given the nickname "Karolina" by her grandmother, Karolina's musical influences came primarily from within her household, as well as from attending the Red Sea Jazz Festival. She listened to Greek, Arabic, Turkish and other music on a daily basis. Her brother, Joseph Avratz, introduced her to soul, jazz and new wave music, and she collaborated with another brother, Shlomi Avratz, in his project Madbooja. After a few lessons in classical guitar at the age of fifteen, she studied on her own.

Music career

At the beginning of her recording career, in 1999, Karolina recorded a track with Spoiled and Zigo under her given name "Keren". Later creating "MC Karolina" a concept project that initially focused on a solo sound system shows for the club scene. This project led to multiple recordings with various artists. In 2000, Karolina founded Funset with musicians in

Tel Aviv Tel Aviv-Yafo ( he, תֵּל־אָבִיב-יָפוֹ, translit=Tēl-ʾĀvīv-Yāfō ; ar, تَلّ أَبِيب – يَافَا, translit=Tall ʾAbīb-Yāfā, links=no), often referred to as just Tel Aviv, is the most populous city in the G ...

(bass: Uri Kleinman, keyboards: Shaul Eshet, drums: Atraf Moshe Assraf, dj: Yoav Rattner, sound: Guy Margalit, guitar: Shai Pertz). In 2004, she was invited by Israeli producers crew "Soulico" to record "Lo Tzipity" - an Israeli version of a track called "It's a Pity" originally released by

Tanya Stephens Vivienne Tanya Stephenson (born 2 July 1973),Lim, Ann-Margaret (2004)All Woman: Tanya Stephens", ''Jamaica Observer'', 3 May 2004. Retrieved 31 October 2010

and

Seeed Seeed is a German hip hop, reggae and dancehall band based in Berlin. Founded in 1998, they have become well known in Germany and its neighboring countries. Musical style and lyrics Seeed consists of eleven band members, including three ...

. Intending for the track to just be for fun, it eventually became a top 5 hit on the airwaves even though it was never officially released. That same year Karolina formed a trio,

, with Yael Deckelbaum and Dana Adini. Their debut was an acoustic night at the Jah-Pan club in the artsy Florentin neighborhood in south

. In 2005, Funset released their first album, a unique combination of Reggae, Nu Soul, and live Trip-hop that enchanted crowds all over the country. The album, called ''Ragga Pumpkin'' received critical acclaim, including an ACUM (Israeli ASCAP) award for composition. Karolina continued to be featured on compilations and tracks, including the hit song, ''Music is Ruling My World'' with Kutiman. In 2007, Habanot Nechama released its debut album, which went platinum in Israel and the track ''So Far'', written and composed by Karolina, won her secon
ACUM
award for "Best New Song of 2007". Karolina's solo album “What Shall I Do Now?” (December 2009) which won an ACUM for its producing by Sabbo and Kutiman, blends rock, groove, funk, and soul to achieve a distinct 70's feel. The first three singles released from this album, including “Happiness” and “Nobody is Coming for Me,” have been Top 3 radio hits on Israeli airwaves and the album has been a number one seller in Israel since its release. Karolina has recently embarked on an international career. Her tracks have been featured on compilations worldwide and on Kutiman’s recent album. Fader Magazine’s music editors called Karolina’s music “perfect for summer jamming purposes.”

Musical collaboration

Along with performing with Funset and Habanot Nechama, Karolina has worked with other musicians, both Israeli and international. She has collaborated with Soulico, Kutiman and DJ Sabbo in Israel. In 2007, Karolina opened for

The Black Eyed Peas Black Eyed Peas (also known as The Black Eyed Peas) is an American musical group consisting of rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo. The group's line-up during the height of their popularity in the 2000s featured Fergie, who replaced Kim Hil ...

as a solo acoustic set & for

Lauryn Hill Lauryn Noelle Hill (born May 26, 1975) is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer. She is often regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time, as well as being one of the most influential musicians of her generation. ...

that same year. In 2008 Karolina joined bass player

Yossi Fine Joseph Thomas Fine (born December 7, 1964), known professionally as Yossi Fine, is an Israeli bassist and producer. fronted the world music/reggae/funk band Ex-Centric Sound System. Biography Personal life Fine was born in Paris, France, to a We ...

, Sabbo and Kutiman to open for

Erykah Badu Erica Abi Wright (born February 26, 1971), known professionally as Erykah Badu (), is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Influenced by rhythm and blues, R&B, Soul music, soul, and hip hop, Badu rose to prominence in the ...

. In 2010 Karolina and Kutiman created a music video for her single "Smile 2 Me" that has been placed on display at

Hammer Museum The Hammer Museum, which is affiliated with the University of California, Los Angeles, is an art museum and cultural center known for its artist-centric and progressive array of exhibitions and public programs. Founded in 1990 by the entrepreneur- ...

in Los Angeles for the Flux Screening Series. Karolina also performed with

Ziggy Marley David Nesta "Ziggy" Marley (born 17 October 1968) is a Jamaican singer, songwriter, musician, actor and philanthropist. He is the son of reggae icon Bob Marley and Rita Marley. He led the family band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers until 20 ...

in Israel on his tour in 2011.

Discography

* Funset - ''Ragga Pumpkin'', CD, 2005 (Nana Music, IL) * ''LO TZIPITI'', Single, 2005 * Polar Pair featuring Karolina – ''Over My Head''. 12”, 2005 (Tru Thoughts, UK) * Kutiman featuring Karolina – ''Music is Ruling My World''. 12”, 2007 (Melting Pot Music, Germany) * Habanot Nechama – Self Titled. CD, 2007 (Labeleh, IL) * Funset – ''No Blame'' (from ''Best Seven Selections 2''). CD, 2007 (Sonar Kollektiv, Germany) * Yaya featuring Karolina – ''Soon''. Single, 2007 ( Hed Arzi, IL) * Funset – ''Bring It Out'' (from ''cooking music''). Mix CD, 2007 (Honey Apple, IL) * Kutiman featuring Karolina – ''Losing It; Trumpet Woman; Music is Ruling My World'' (From ''Kutiman'', self-titled). CD & LP, 2007 (Melting Pot Music, Germany) * Karolina – ''Yom Bo Yakum'' (from ''Avoda Ivrit'') 2008 (Avoda Ivrit, IL) *Karolina - "What Will I Do Now?" CD, 2009 (B.M.usic, Israel) *Karolina - "Zohar" - CD 2012 *Karolina - "Shalosh" - CD 2017

References

External links