The Middle East's finest export

Sharjah-raised Karl Wolf looked at home among the stars at the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards in Liverpool.

The regional superstar proved he has the power to break Europe as hundreds of screaming fans tried to reach to him and request autographs before the show.

But Wolf wasn't only there to brush shoulders with the stars. The singer songwriter was in Liverpool to accept an award for Best New Act for MTV Arabia.

His performance of Butterflies was met with an incredible reaction from the 15,000-strong crowd at the city's Echo Arena.

"It was an incredible feeling and I don't think I've ever experienced anything quite like it. I was so proud to be in Liverpool representing the Middle East. It has given me such an incentive to break London and show them what we are capable of."

MTV Arabia, the region's first Arabic free-to-air youth entertainment and lifestyle channel, named Wolf as the 2008 winner of the coveted Best MTV Arabia New Act at the prestigious EMAs.

Fans across the globe voted for Wolf to represent the Middle East at the awards.

Wolf, one of the most successful exponents of music in the UAE and a star songwriter and producer in the R&B genre, was born in Lebanon but raised in Sharjah until he moved to Canada. His career took off when he began writing and co-producing for the Canadian artist Gabrille Destroismaisons. Together, they produced the hit 2001 album Etcetera, which spawned two number one singles on the BDS Francophone Charts.

'A great feeling'

On the back of this success, Wolf soon began receiving requests from A-list recording artists like Justin Timberlake, Christian Milian and Mya. Instead, he embarked on his solo career, and in 2006 released his debut album Face Behind the Face, which featured the hit single Butterflies. The album was a runaway success in Canada and across the Middle East.

Reclining casually on his bed before the big night, Wolf looked calm and relaxed. "I'm very excited. This award has really opened up the market for me and I have a great feeling about it.

"I''m still in a state of disbelief that I have been named the official winner of this prestigious award. I am grateful to all my fans and friends around the world for their faith in me, and for going out of their way each day to vote for me to make this a reality. I would like to thank MTV Arabia for their strong support in selecting me as a nominee for this incredible honour."

Wolf won the right to perform, beating off other well-known Arabian acts to the post including artists such as Abri, Carole Samaha, Fayez Al Saeed, and Mohammad Hamaki.

Wolf worked the red carpet in jeans, T-shirt, blazer and hat, complete with his signature diamond earrings which caught every camera along the busy stretch.

"It's incredible," he said. "I consider myslef very lucky and will never forget this experience."

Wolf hit the after party at Liverpool's So club before heading to a well-known Chinese restaurant for a late night meal.

After parties

The celebs and international stars headed to post MTV parties across the city.

The beverages were on ice and private VIP booths booked at various celeb haunts kept the party alive well into the small hours.

Most of the stars headed to Circo at the Albert Dock, which proved the A-list club of the night.

Show host Katy Perry, rapper Kanye West, Kid Rock and MOBO award-winning musician Lemar all partied here.

Take That, who returned for the EMAs for the first time since the inaugral event in 1994, also celebrated a successful performance at the bash.

The official MTV EMA after party was held at So on Duke Street, which was swamped with photographers all trying to grab snap shots of the stars as they arrived and left.

The US rock band, The Killers enjoyed champagne in the VIP area in the city centre bar Newz Bar.

Lonely singer Akon also planned his night at Newz by ordering 30 bottles of bubbly for him and his friends which set him back Dh57,487.

Sugababe Heidi Range and the girls booked a booth at Newz, but changed their minds at the last minute. Rumours say they were tempted by the free drinks at the dock's PanAm aftershow party.