One of Canada’s top music stars, Karim Ouellet has passed away.
The Quebec City-based singer and songwriter died on Monday, January 17, 2022, at the age of 37.
A Juno award winner and Félix award nominee, Karim was born in Dakar, Senegal, and was adopted at the age of three months by Quebec parents who were diplomats.
He grew up moving back and forth between Quebec City and France, Rwanda, Tunisia, and Senegal, before returning to Quebec to study in his teens.
His breakthrough came in 2012 after releasing his monster hit song L’Amour. The video for the song has garnered over 1.8 million streams on popular video streaming platform, YouTube.
His second studio album, Fox, sold more than 33,000 copies and earning him five nominations at Quebec’s ADISQ awards in 2013 and the 2014 Juno for Francophone album of the year.
He was planning to drop his fourth studio album after recently celebrating his 37th birthday before death ended his flourishing career.
Karim Ouellet cause of death: Health problems and autopsy report
Karim was found dead on Monday, January 17, 2022, at a music studio in Quebec City.
His body was discovered Monday night at L’Unisson studio in Quebec City’s Saint-Roch neighborhood, per Radio-Canada reports.
Quebec City police have ruled out foul play, and the coroner will investigate to determine the cause of death.
Ouellet’s sister, fellow Quebec singer-songwriter Sarahmée stated in a Facebook post that the family would “continue to celebrate his life, his talent and his legacy” and asked for privacy while the family grieves.
“Thank you for this outpouring of love for Karim, to those who were touched by his words and his melodies,” she wrote.
Before his death, Karim spoke of health problems and talked about taking some distance from the music industry.
“The last time we talked, he needed some time for himself. He needed some time just to have a different pace from the last decade. He needed to be stronger to make sure he was able to survive in that business,” the late musician disclosed.
