"Dam" (stylized in all uppercase) is a song recorded by the Filipino boy band SB19 for their third extended play (EP), Simula at Wakas (2025). The band's leader, Pablo, co-wrote and co-produced the song with Joshua Daniel Nase and Simon Servida. It is a hip-hop track with elements of EDM, folk, industrial, and progressive rock. In the lyrics, the narrator discusses his struggles and desire to become a better version of himself while upholding self-integrity and determination. The song was released by Sony Music Philippines on February 28, 2025, as the EP's lead single.
The single received favorable reviews from music critics, who praised the song's genre-blending and instrumentation. Critics also compared its music to the group's earlier releases like "What?" (2021) and "Gento" (2023). The single achieved commercial success, peaking at number four on the Philippines Hot 100 and at number one on Billboard'sWorld Digital Song Sales—becoming the first song by a Filipino artist to top the chart. Elsewhere, "Dam" peaked at the top 10 in the United Arab Emirates and the top 20 in the Middle East and North Africa and Saudi Arabia.
The accompanying music video—directed by Alanshiii—is set in a dark, medieval fantasy world, depicting the members of SB19 as mythical creatures, attempting to save a tree of life. The video received praise for its visuals and production quality, and became the second most-viewed music video by a Filipino artist in 24 hours, with four million views. To promote "Dam", an installation art was displayed in Taguig and the band performed the song live on television and numerous other occasions. The group included the track on the set list of their Simula at Wakas World Tour (2025).
Background and release
The Filipino boy band SB19 released their first extended play (EP), Pagsibol (lit.'growth'), in 2021,[1] exploring genres such as pop rock, hip-hop, and EDM, departing from the dance-pop production of their debut studio album, Get in the Zone (2020).[1][2]Pablo, the band's leader, revealed in an interview with Zach Sang that Pagsibol and their future releases are part of a trilogy, the others being Pagtatag! (lit.'strengthening') and Simula at Wakas (lit.'beginning and end').[3] In 2023, the group released their second EP, Pagtatag!, the trilogy's second installment.[4] The EP includes the single, "Gento" (2023),[5] which scored their first entry to two record charts,[6][7] including in the Philippines, where the single peaked at number eight.[7] They also left their talent agency, ShowBT Entertainment, that year, and transitioned to self-management, revealing that now they have complete artistic control over their music.[8] The following year, SB19 members focused on their solo careers,[9] during which they all later confirmed during the premiere night for Pagtatag!: The Documentary (2024) that they are currently working with Simula at Wakas.[10]
On January 31, 2025, SB19 published a trailer for their third EP, Simula at Wakas, via their social media accounts. In it, the band announced that the EP would be released on April 25.[11] The trailer also indicated that Simula at Wakas would be preceded by a lead single, which was untitled at the time.[12] The group released teaser photos in the days leading up to the single's release.[13] They revealed the title, "Dam", on February 17.[14]Sony Music Philippines released "Dam" on February 28, through digital download and streaming formats.[15][16] On the track list of Simula at Wakas, the single served as its opening track.[17]
"Dam" is 3 minutes and 29 seconds long, while its extended version is 25 seconds longer.[16] Pablo, the band's leader, co-wrote and co-produced the song with his brother Joshua Daniel Nase and record producer Simon Servida.[17] Nase and Servida had previously worked together with SB19 for their first two EPs, Pagsibol (2021) and Pagtatag! (2023).[18][19] Heo Chan-goo of Knob Sound Korea mixed and mastered the song, with Lee Oh-won assisting.[20][21] The song's title, "Dam", is a wordplay derived from the Tagalog word "pakiramdam", which translates to "feeling" in English.[22][23] Musically, "Dam" is characterized as primarily an anthemic hip-hop track,[23][24] with a combination of EDM, Celtic and Filipino folk, industrial, and progressive rock elements.[22][23][25] The song is accompanied by strong bass beats in its production, while also featuring high-note vocals.[22]
The song's lyrics were inspired by misfortune and learning to accept it,[26] alluding to the band's experiences throughout their career.[23] It reflects upon one's inner struggles and discusses the idea of "staying true to one's values and principles" when fulfilling one's drive for ambition and purpose, despite having to encounter challenges and sacrifices along the way.[22][23] It includes a message that, regardless of fate, aspirations and goals shall go unchanged.[26] In the lyrics, the song questions how to surpass one's peak: "Paano ba higitan ang sagad na?" (lit.'How does one exceed the best?'), conveying that someone at their peak should work around exceeding their best.[27] The other lyrics also discuss taking accountability for one pursuing their ambition and confessing fault for wanting: "Kasalanan ko lahat ng 'to / 'Lang humpay sa paggusto" (lit.'This is all my fault / Never ending desire'),[26][28] and asks the question, "Ano'ng pakiramdam?" (lit.'How does it feel?'), implying that there is always a feeling of struggle to achieve success.[27]
Critical reception
"Dam" received favorable reviews from music critics, with praise mainly on the song's instrumentation and genre exploration. GMA Integrated News, Kristofer Purnell of The Philippine Star, and Hidzir Junaini of Bandwagon observed genre-blending in the song, which they lauded for seamlessly blending different genres.[15][25][29] Junaini further added that he finds SB19's approach to sound creation "innovative".[29] Some writers opined that the song felt distinctive, with Inquirer's Pauline Miranda attributing it to the genre-blending and texturing in the song's instrumentation, which also made the song engaging to listen to.[28] Meanwhile, Kristine Kang of the GMA Network considered the song's musicality as uncommon among other Filipino tracks.[30] The group's desire to explore genres has been highlighted by some critics, especially in "Dam", which they find admirable.[28][29]
Comparing "Dam" to SB19's past music, GMA Integrated News, Purnell, and Junaini considered "Dam" musically similar to their previous singles "What?" (2021) and "Gento" (2023). They noted similar musical elements and energy, which they regard as a signature sound for the band.[15][25][29] Conversely, Alwin Ignacio of the Daily Tribune suggests that the song felt more powerful among the group's previous releases like "Mana" (2021) and "Bazinga" (2021).[31] Writing for the Grammy Awards, Ivana Morales considered the single a "new rebirth" for SB19 and finds it "game-changing", stating that the band has embodied their desire for complete artistic control of their career.[32] Reflecting on Simula at Wakas as a whole, Rome Saenz of Billboard Philippines opined that the single was able to set the tone of what the EP can offer, a record he described as a collection of distinct songs.[33]
Elsewhere, in the same week, "Dam" debuted and peaked at number 12 on the chart for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region;[38][40][41] the single also entered the charts in the United Arab Emirates, debuting and peaking at number 7,[42][43] and in Saudi Arabia, debuting and peaking at number 17.[44] Outside Asia, the track entered the UK's Singles Downloads and Singles Sales chart, debuting and peaking on both at number 4, and New Zealand's Hot Singles chart, at number 21.[38][45]
Music video and promotion
Alanshiii directed the music video for "Dam", which premiered on YouTube on February 28, 2025, the same day as the song's release.[23] Inspired by Greek mythology,[28] the video was set in a dark, medieval fantasy world, depicting SB19 as mythical creatures and warriors.[23][30] In the video, each member is off on their own confronting their battles, later coming together to save a tree of life, sacrificing themselves by morphing into stone,[22][28][32] which made the tree bear fruit.[22] The band revealed that, for the video, they wanted "something new" and landed on a concept about gods and the Middle Ages, which they felt suited the song's epic sound.[26] They collaborated with the creative team 1032 Lab for its conceptualization and production,[23][27] which utilized computer-generated imagery.[36] Following its release, the video received praise for its visuals and production quality,[30] and its theme drew comparisons to the productions Game of Thrones (2011–2019) and The Lord of the Rings (2001–2003).[28] Ivana Morales, writing for the Grammy Awards, considered the video "colossal in scale".[32] The music video has garnered over four million views in the first 24 hours since its release,[36] making it the second most-viewed music video by a Filipino artist in a single day.[46]
SB19 performing "Dam" at the Bench Body of Work (2025)
In promoting "Dam", an installation art—named the "Dam Tree"—was put up in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig in April,[47][48] resembling the tree depicted in the song's music video. The tree allowed the visitors to listen to the song and the band to tease their future music releases.[47] SB19 also promoted "Dam" with live performances. The group first performed the song on television during their appearance on the variety show All-Out Sundays on March 2.[49] They later reprised their performance on the variety show It's Showtime on March 8.[50] The group later appeared at the Body of Work fashion show curated by Bench on March 21, where they performed "Dam" midway through the event.[51] Following the release of Simula at Wakas, SB19 arranged a flash mob in Taguig, where the single was among the songs they performed.[52] The band followed it with an appearance on the Wish 107.5 Bus, performing a three-song set list comprising "Dam".[53] The group later appeared at the 2025 Hito Music Awards, performing the song during the ceremony.[54] They embarked on their third world tour, the Simula at Wakas World Tour (2025), with the song included on its set list.[55]
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