En Vogue released “Hold On” as its 1990 breakthrough single.
The song was written by members Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy with En Vogue singer Dawn Robinson. It became the lead single from the group’s debut album, Born to Sing, and introduced En Vogue’s blend of contemporary R&B, soul harmonies, and confident vocal performance.
“Hold On” was built around a sample from James Brown’s “The Payback,” giving the track a recognizable funk foundation. It became a major commercial success, reaching the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100 and topping the US R&B chart. The record also earned critical attention for presenting a girl-group format with a strongly vocal, adult-oriented sound.
The title can be confused with songs by other R&B groups, especially Wilson Phillips’ 1990 pop hit of the same name. En Vogue’s “Hold On” is distinct in both performer and musical style, and it remains one of the group’s defining recordings.