Born in Kirkuk in 1963 and trained as a painter at the Institute of Fine Arts in Sulaymaniyah, he has developed parallel careers as both a distinguished visual artist and musician. Since making his stage debut in 1979, Karim has become known for his expressive baritone, refined musicality, and original compositions, often accompanied by traditional instruments. Living in Sweden since the early 1990s, he has introduced Kurdish music to international audiences through performances across Europe and the Middle East, while remaining deeply rooted in the literary and cultural traditions of Kurdistan. His paintings, exhibited internationally, reflect the same lyrical sensitivity that defines his music, making him a leading ambassador for Kurdish artistic expression on the world stage