06.05.2026
17-Year-Old Palestinian Rapper MC Abdul Releases Emotional “Wait For Me” Single Ahead of Debut Album This Fall
Abdul Uses the Language of Hip-Hop to Directly Confront His Trauma and Shine a Light on His People’s Struggles, Dramatizing the Final Moments Before a Missile Strike and Mourning the Childhood He Was Never Able to Have
Critical Praise:
“Rolling Stone Future 25…In a place where education isn’t a given, the power of music has a way of shining through, especially with a gift like MC Abdul’s.” — Rolling Stone
“…Even with all the trauma surrounding him, Abdul beat all the thousands of odds and got signed by EMPIRE Records. He has amassed millions of views ever since through his songs, where he shares a glimpse of life in Gaza.” — GRAZIA
“MC Abdul’s lyrical vigor is reminiscent of hip-hop’s glory days, when storytelling and shifty fictions were the precedence. He seems to be following in the footsteps of Tupac, Nas, Lupe Fiasco, and Black Star– rappers that never failed to create multigenerational works of art reflecting trying times.” — MILLE
“At just 15, he has already established himself as a seasoned lyricist of global significance, serving up verses that resonate deeply with their complexity and emotional weight.” — YUNG
The Song:
Since he was a small child, MC Abdul has channeled the communicative power of hip-hop to illuminate the Palestinian people’s struggle for freedom, using his voice and reach to courageously advocate for his nation’s liberation. Still only 17-years-old, living as a refugee in San Francisco, Abdul confronts his trauma head-on with “Wait For Me,” his powerful new single, out now via EMPIRE. “Wait For Me” will appear on Abdul’s highly anticipated debut LP, coming later this year.
In the new single, Abdul dreams that his words can do more than just move the spirit: he imagines himself as a superhero walking through Gaza, freezing time just milliseconds before an Israeli missile strikes. During this frozen moment, Abdul’s life flashes before his eyes, triggering memories of his deep love for hip-hop and how it provided a mental escape.
Through his figurative language, Abdul describes his stolen youth, reminiscing about his days as a child who just wanted to play hide-and-seek. The young rapper uses the lyrics of his heroes, including 2Pac, Nas, and Eminem, whose “Lose Yourself” provides lyrical inspiration, as a shield against the chaos, drawing sharp contrasts between classic rap struggles and his own war-torn experiences: “(Rock bottom) we live in different predicaments / the world turns and I’m rapping (in the moment) but it never ends.” Abdul receives assistance from Palestinian singer Nai Barghouti, whose haunting and ethereal vocals act as a lifeline for Abdul, just as he is on the edge of losing hope: “Wait for me. Can you wait for me?”
“Wait For Me” continues MC Abdul’s remarkable story, which began when videos of his 11-year-old self rapping atop rubble sparked a global viral sensation and has continued through his teenage years as one of music’s foremost advocates for Palestinian liberation. Growing up in Gaza, hip-hop provided a lifeline for the young Abdul, who learned English from rap legends and was inspired by the hip-hop tradition of speaking out against oppression. Videos of Abdul–of this middle school-aged child forcefully and soulfully articulating his struggle–circulated among music fans and activists alike, making him an iconic figure, but also putting a target on his back. It was a complex, hardship-filled journey for Abdul to leave Gaza, eventually reach the United States, where he currently lives, and later reunite with his family, amid Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians.
After reaching the United States, Abdul has pursued his dream of becoming a rap star, speaking out for the Palestinian cause the whole way. He made a historic Rolling Loud debut in 2024 as the youngest artist and first Gaza-born artist to perform on that stage. In addition, Abdul performed a powerful showcase for GRAMMYs Global Spin. His cultural impact was further solidified by starring in Mustafa’s “Gaza Is Calling” music video alongside Bella Hadid. Having toured and collaborated with artists like Macklemore, Elyanna, and Saint Levant, and after opening for global superstar Atif Aslam, Abdul’s résumé is a testament to his status as a powerful voice for his people. The champion for peace has already gained media support from Mashable, GRAZIA, Billboard, MILLE, Variety, On The Radar, and Scene Noise, among others, demonstrating the world’s growing desire to hear his side of the story.
Abdul’s forthcoming debut LP represents a leap onto the global stage, not just as a rapper but as an icon for a generation of youth whose stories of resilience are often left untold. Stay tuned for much more from the young artist as he continues his journey.
Stream “Wait For Me”: https://music.empi.re/waitforme
Photo credit: Daniel Aziz
Please contact Michelle or Francesca for more info.
The Background:
17-year-old rapper from Gaza, MC Abdul, follows a rich Rap tradition of speaking up for the oppressed and taking people to the front lines of struggle and injustice. “We wanted to show the world what is going on in Gaza right now. I rapped in front of the rubble to inspire.” Abdul has done just that. His freestyle videos have garnered over 100 million views, highlighting the pain his community has endured for generations. Fat Joe, Chance the Rapper, Bella Hadid, and many others have praised Abdul’s courage, skill, and substance. His first EP, “Can I Live,” arrived via EMPIRE, and he is set to release his debut album in 2026. Using art, MC Abdul stands on the front lines of change. This brave 17-year-old is a champion for peace, fighting for his people’s freedom with his words.
Links:
instagram | tiktok | youtube | spotify
“Wait For Me”: https://music.empi.re/waitforme