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Abigail Chams is having a moment and the world is finally catching up. The Tanzanian pop sensation just dropped her latest single, ‘Hold Me’, a soulful, genre-blending track that arrives as she stands on the cusp of global recognition. The release comes shortly after news broke of her 2025 BET Awards nomination for Best New International Act, making her the first solo female artist from East Africa to ever earn a spot in the category.
At just 22 years old, Abigail Chams is rapidly cementing herself as one of Africa’s most exciting new voices. Known for her signature fusion of Afrobeats, R&B, hip-hop, and her native bongo flava, she’s steadily built a loyal following with a sound that’s both deeply personal and globally accessible. ‘Hold Me‘, her second single of the year, feels like a defining moment, a track that not only showcases her vocal depth but also highlights her growth as a songwriter and storyteller.
Produced by Nigerian beatmaker Runcheck, ‘Hold Me‘ is a lush, mid-tempo cut that floats between heartbreak and hope. Smooth percussion lines, airy synths, and mellow guitar riffs set the tone for a reflective journey about love’s intoxicating highs and devastating lows. Delivered in a seamless mix of Swahili and English, Chams lays her emotions bare as she navigates the aftermath of a love that both lifted and broke her.
“‘Hold Me’ comes from a very real place,” she shares. “It’s about the kind of love that feels deep but hurts deeper — and learning to find strength in that vulnerability.” That duality runs through every note of the song. While the lyrics recount betrayal and emotional weight, the production keeps things light and airy, reflecting the resilience it takes to keep moving forward even when your heart is heavy.
What makes Abigail Chams stand out is her ability to defy genre boundaries while staying grounded in her cultural roots. From the start of her career, she’s seamlessly blended African rhythms with Western pop influences, a sonic mix that reflects both her upbringing in Tanzania and her love for global pop and R&B. “Hold Me” is another testament to her versatility, effortlessly fusing Afrobeats percussion with R&B melodies and bongo flava’s emotive storytelling tradition.
This latest release lands at a pivotal time for Chams. She’s set to attend the BET Awards in Los Angeles on June 9, representing not just herself but a rising generation of East African artists breaking through on the global stage. It’s a historic nomination, and Chams knows what it means beyond just personal achievement. “It’s bigger than me,” she says. “It’s about showing young girls from my part of the world that it’s possible to dream bigger than what you see around you.”
With more music on the horizon and growing international visibility, Abigail Chams is poised for a breakout year. While ‘Hold Me’ deals with heartbreak, it also feels like a celebration of survival, a fitting anthem for an artist who’s learning to embrace every facet of her journey. The song signals a shift towards a more introspective, emotionally charged chapter in her discography, and if this is a preview of what’s to come, listeners are in for something special.
Abigail Chams has never been one to be boxed in. From viral acoustic covers to studio-polished anthems, she’s made it clear that she moves on her own terms. ‘Hold Me’ is the kind of track that not only expands her sonic palette but reinforces why she’s one to watch in 2025 and beyond.
Stream ‘Hold Me‘ now on all platforms.
