Abigail Chams missed out on the 2025 BET Award for Best New International Act to Brazil’s “Ajuliacosta” due to a combination of competitive factors and voting dynamics, with no evidence suggesting Tanzania’s politics interfered in the voting process. Here’s a detailed analysis:
🏆 1. Competitive International Field.
– Chams faced intense competition from 11 global nominees, including artists from Brazil, Nigeria, South Africa, France, and the UK. Ajuliacosta’s win marked a significant moment for Latin American representation in global music, likely galvanizing broad voter support from Brazil and beyond.
– The category included established acts like Nigeria’s Shallipopi and South Africa’s TxC (who won Best International Act), indicating the depth of talent in contention.
🌍 2. Voting Mechanics and Regional Dynamics.
– BET Awards voting is global and fan-driven, with outcomes influenced by artists’ international reach and fanbase mobilization. Ajuliacosta’s larger home market (Brazil) and Latin American support may have provided a demographic advantage in voter turnout.
– No reports indicate voting irregularities or political suppression targeting Chams. Conversely, Tanzanians mobilized massively:
– The government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa publicly endorsed her.
– Parliament formally acknowledged her nomination, a rare honor.
- However, having the government exerted nod may have tempered some local support as some on the social media indicated their disillusionment seeing their unpopular government is gunning down a kick out of her nomination. This may have discouraged some potential voters from casting their votes for her.
– Celebrities like Rayvanny and Vanessa Mdee rallied East African voters.
📉 3. Cultural and Industry Factors.
– Latin Music’s Global Surge:
Ajuliacosta’s win aligns with BET’s recent efforts to diversify its international categories, reflecting Latin music’s booming popularity. This broader trend may have overshadowed Chams’ East African breakthrough.
– Visibility and Momentum:
While Chams’ singles (“Me Too,” “Hold Me”) dominated East African charts, Ajuliacosta potentially had stronger momentum in streaming and social media metrics critical to fan voting.
🇹🇿 4. Tanzanian Politics: No Evidence of Interference.
– Unified National Support:
Tanzania’s political establishment *supported* Chams. Her nomination was celebrated across party lines, with Parliamentarians praising her as a cultural ambassador.
– Fan Disappointment ≠ Interference:
Some Tanzanian fans expressed anger at BET, but this reflects post-loss frustration—not proof of political meddling. Notably, fellow Tanzanian artist Rayvanny won a BET Award in 2021, demonstrating the country’s capacity to succeed in this arena.
💎 Conclusion.
Abigail Chams’ loss stemmed from artistic competition and voter demographics, not political interference. Her nomination alone was historic—making her the first East African woman nominated in this category—and amplified Tanzania’s musical influence globally . For Chams, this likely marks the beginning, not the end, of her international recognition journey.
Who Is Abigail Shams?
Abigail Chams: Comprehensive Biography
Early Life & Musical Roots.
– Birth & Background:
Born Abigail Chamungwana on May 7, 2003, in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. At 22 (as of 2025), she hails from a musically gifted family: her grandfather directed an orchestra, and her grandmother sang in a church choir.
– Early Training:
Began piano lessons at age 5, mastered violin by 8, and later learned guitar, drums, and flute. Her childhood involved leading church worship and singing to her toys, hinting at her future path.
Career Breakthrough & Artistic Evolution.
– Social Media Launch:
Gained initial traction by posting song covers on Instagram, amassing over 123,000 followers. A 2020 cover of Beyoncé’s “Brown Skin Girl” was reposted by the icon herself, catapulting Chams into the spotlight.
– Major Label Signing:
Joined Sony Music Africa in June 2022 (age 19), calling it a “dream come true.” She aimed to showcase Tanzanian talent globally alongside labelmate Ali Kiba.
– Musical Style:
Fuses Bongo Flava with Afropop, Swahili lyrics, and traditional Arabic-Tanzanian sounds. Critics praise her “international-standard” artistry and multilingual fluency (Swahili/English).
– Key Collaborations:
Worked with stars like Harmonize (“Closer,” “Me Too“), Rayvanny (“Corazon“), and Marioo (“Nani?“). Her 2023 debut EP, 5, featured six genre-blending tracks.
Discography Highlights.
| No. | Year. | Work. | Featuring. | Significance. |
| 1.0 | 2022 | Nani? | Marioo. | Sampled East African folk tunes; viral hit. |
| 2.0 | 2023 | (EP). | Rayvanny, Whozu. | Debut EP under Sony; 6 tracks. |
| 3.0 | 2023 | Me Too. | Harmonize | 6M+ YouTube views; sparked dating rumors. |
Activism & Public Impact.
– UNICEF Advocacy:
Appointed Youth Advocate in 2020 for mental health and gender equality. Launched “Teen Talks with Abby Chams” to address youth issues like cyberbullying and anxiety.
– Cultural Influence:
Ambassador for the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce and founder of a music school to expand arts education. She champions mental health awareness, citing Tanzania’s high youth suicide rates.
Awards & Legacy.
– Nominations:
2022 Tanzania Music Awards (Merging Artist); 2025 BET Award (Best New International Act), making her the first East African woman nominated.
– Vision:
Aims to win Grammys and perform at Coachella. Described as a “treasure” poised to redefine Bongo Flava history.
Personal Philosophy.
> “Music is therapeutic… I want young people to know age isn’t a barrier. Dreams *do* come true—no matter where you start.”
– Chams on her mission.
Abigail Chams embodies a new era of African artists: technically virtuosic, socially conscious, and globally ambitious. Her journey from church choirs to Sony’s roster underscores a blend of cultural pride and crossover appeal, solidifying her as Tanzania’s rising “pop star queen“.
Who are Tanzania past B.E.T nominees and winners?
The following Tanzanian musicians have received BET Award nominations or awards:
1. 🧑🏾 Diamond Platnumz.
– Nominations:
Three-time nominee for Best International Act: Africa (2014, 2016, 2021).
Diamond Platnumz’s BET Nominations:
Diamond is a three-time nominee for Best International Act: Africa, but has never won:
– 2014:
Nominated alongside Davido (Nigeria), but lost to South Africa’s DJ Black Coffee.
– 2016:
Nominated again, losing to Nigeria’s Wizkid.
– 2021:
Third nomination, with the award going to Nigeria’s Burna Boy
– Significance:
First Tanzanian artist ever nominated for a BET Award. His nominations highlighted the global rise of Bongo Flava, though he did not win in any of these years.
2. 🏆 Rayvanny’s 2017 BET Award Win. (2017).
– Category:
International Viewers’ Choice Award: Africa. (not “Best International Act: Africa“).
– Winning Song: Kwetu.
– Nominees Rayvanny Defeated:
– Dave (UK)
– Amanda Black (South Africa)
– Changmo (South Korea)
– Daniel Caesar (Jamaica)
– Remi (Jamaica)
– Skip Marley (Jamaica).
– Significance:
First Tanzanian artist to win a BET Award and second East African after Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo (2015).
3. 👩🏾 Abigail Chams.
– Nomination*m:
Nominated for **Best New International Act** at the **2025 BET Awards.
– Significance:
First female artist from East Africa nominated in this category. Her nomination was celebrated as a milestone for Tanzania’s music industry, though she lost to Brazil’s Ajuliacosta.
Key Observations:
– Representation Gap:
BET nominees.
Diamond Platnumz and Abigail Chams remain the only two recognized so far.
Rayvanny won a BET Award! He was the first Tanzanian artist to win a BET Award, specifically the “Best International Viewers’ Choice” award, in 2017. This win marked a significant milestone for East African music, making him the second East African artist to win a BET Award after Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo.
– Context:
Tanzania’s nominations have been infrequent compared to West/Southern African artists (e.g., Nigeria’s Burna Boy or South Africa’s Tyla). Abigail’s 2025 nod signaled BET’s growing interest in East African talent.
Read more analysis by Rutashubanyuma Nestory
