"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). Pablo, the band's leader, wrote the song and co-produced it with Joshua Daniel Nase and Simon Servida. It is primarily a hip-hop track fused with other genres, with lyrics that discuss upholding integrity, alluding to the band's drive for purpose and ambition despite the challenges and sacrifices. The song was released by Sony Music Philippines on February 28, 2025, as the EP's lead single.
The single received positive reviews from music critics, who praised the song's genre-blending and instrumentation; critics also compared its music to the band's earlier releases, "What?" (2021) and "Gento" (2023). The single saw commercial success, peaking at the top five in the Philippines 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 Saudi Arabia.
The accompanying music video, directed by Alanshiii, depicted the group as mythical creatures set in a dark, medieval, fantasy world, attempting to save the tree of life by them morphing into stone. 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. SB19 performed the song on television on variety shows All-Out Sundays and It's Showtime.
Background and release
The Filipino boy band SB19 released their first extended play (EP), Pagsibol, in 2021,[1] exploring genres such as pop rock, hip-hop, and EDM, departing from the dance-pop production from 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 titled Pagtatag! and Simula at Wakas.[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] The following year, SB19 members focused on their solo careers,[8] during which they all later confirmed during the premiere night for Pagtatag!: The Documentary (2024) that they are currently working with Simula at Wakas.[9]
On January 31, 2025, SB19 published a trailer for their third EP, Simula at Wakas, via their social media accounts and announced in it that the EP would be released on April 25.[10] The trailer also indicated that the Simula at Wakas would be preceded by single, which was untitled at the time.[11] The group released teaser photos in the days leading up to the single's release.[12] They revealed the title of the EP's lead single, "Dam", on February 17.[13]Sony Music Philippines released "Dam" on February 28.[14][15]
Composition and lyrics
"Dam" is 3 minutes and 29 seconds long, while its extended version is 25 seconds longer.[15] Pablo, the band's leader, wrote the song and collaborated with his brother Joshua Daniel Nase and record producer Simon Servida for the production.[16][17] Nase and Servida had previously worked together with the band 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 providing assistance.[16][17] The song's title, "Dam", is a wordplay on the Tagalog word "pakiramdam", which translates to "feeling" in English.[20] Musically, "Dam" is characterized as primarily an anthemic hip-hop track,[21][22] with a combination of EDM, Celtic and Filipino folk, industrial, and progressive rock elements.[20][23] The song is accompanied by strong bass beats in its production, with a range of low and high-note vocals throughout the record.[20]
The lyrics reflect upon one's inner struggles and discuss the idea of "staying true to one's values and principles" when fulfilling one's drive for ambition and purpose despite encountering challenges and sacrifices along the way,[20][22] alluding to the band's experiences throughout their career.[22] In the lyrics, the song questions how to surpass one's peak: "Paano ba higitan ang sagad na?" (lit.'How does one exceed the limit?'), conveying that someone at its peak should work around exceeding one's limit.[24] The other lyrics also discuss taking accountability for one pursuing their ambition: "Kasalanan ko lahat ng 'to / 'Lang humpay sa paggusto" (lit.'This is all my fault / Never ending desire'),[25] and asks the question, "Ano'ng pakiramdam?" (lit.'What is the feeling?'), implying that there is always a feeling of struggle to achieve success.[24]
Critical reception
"Dam" received positive reviews from music critics. Comments include praising the genre blend in the songwriting process; GMA Integrated News, Kristofer Purnell of The Philippine Star, and Hidzir Junaini of Bandwagon describes the song's multiple genres seamlessly fused together,[14][23][26] with Junaini further adding that he finds the band’s approach to sound creation "innovative".[26] Critics also noted the song’s instrumentation, which they found unique from other Filipino tracks. Kristine Kang of the GMA Network observed pulsating beats and ney, which she finds distinctive.[27]Inquirer's Pauline Miranda described the song as a "unique epic anthem", factoring in the genre-blending and texturing in its instrumentation, which she opined made it engaging to listen.[25] GMA Integrated News, Purnell, and Junaini also recalled SB19's earlier releases, opining that the group had retained the sound and energy found in their previous singles "What?" (2021) and "Gento" (2023),[14][23][26] with Alwin Ignacio of the Daily Tribune adding that "Dam" felt to be more potent among them.[28] Critics also point out the band's urge to explore genres, which they find evident in the track.[25][26]
Elsewhere, in the same week, "Dam" debuted and peaked at number 12 on the chart for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region;[33] the single also entered the charts in the United Arab Emirates, debuting and peaking at number 7,[34] and in Saudi Arabia, debuting and peaking at number 17.[35] Across the Commonwealth countries, the track entered the UK's Singles Downloads and Singles Sales chart, debuting and peaking at number 4 on both, and New Zealand's Hot Singles chart, at number 21.[33]
Promotion
SB19 performing "Dam" at the Bench Body of Work (2025)
Alanshiii directed the music video for "Dam", which was released on February 28, 2025, on YouTube, the same day as the song's release.[22] Inspired by Greek mythology,[25] the video was set in a dark, medieval, fantasy world that depicts SB19 as mythical creatures and warriors.[22][27] They came together to save a tree of life by sacrificing themselves by turning into stone,[20][25] which made the tree bear fruit.[20] The band collaborated with 1032 Lab for its conceptualization and production,[22][24] which utilizes computer-generated imagery.[31] Following its release, the video received praise for its visuals and production quality,[27] and its theme drew comparisons to the productions Game of Thrones (2011–2019) and The Lord of the Rings (2001–2003).[25] The music video has gained over four million views in its first 24 hours since its release,[31] which made it the second most-viewed music video by a Filipino artist in a single day.[36]
SB19 promoted "Dam" with live performances. The group performed the song first on television during their appearance on the variety show All-Out Sundays on March 2, 2025.[37] They later reprised their performance on the variety show It's Showtime on March 8.[38] The band later appeared at the Body of Work fashion show curated by Bench on March 21, where they performed "Dam" midway through the program.[39]
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