Damages (song)

Last updated

"Damages"
Single by Tems
from the EP For Broken Ears
Released17 September 2020
Genre
Length2:49
Label
  • Leading Vibes
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Tems singles chronology
"These Days"
(2020)
"Damages"
(2020)
"Essence"
(2021)
Music video
"Damages" on YouTube

"Damages" is a song by Nigerian singer and record producer Tems. It was released on 17 September 2020. Written by Tems and produced by Spax, the song is the only single from Tems's first EP For Broken Ears , which was released on 25 September 2020. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

The song peaked at number one on Apple Nigeria, number two on the Apple Music R&B Songs chart, [4] [5] and at number six on the TurnTable Top 50. On 24 November 2020, "Damages" became the most played song on Nigeria radio. [6]

Composition

"Damages" is an alternative R&B / soul track. Lyrically, it show Tems asking her lover to take a stance in the relationship because she does not want the relationship to fail. [7]

Critical reception

The song received positive reviews from critics. [8] A review from Pulse Nigeria stated that "the song is between a girl power anthem and a refusal of bad treatment", [2] while another review from BellaNaija noted that "The intimate beat of 'Damages' reflects the alternative R&B fused with a Neo-soul sound, and a sprinkle of the traditional Nigerian flavor". [9]

Music video

The music video was released on 23 September 2020. Directed by Ademola Falamo, the visual shows Tems in a clubhouse with her groups of rebels. [10]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNominee/WorkResultRef
2021Net HonoursMost Played Alternative Song"Damages"Won [11]
All Africa Music Awards Best Female Artiste in Western Africa"Tems - Damages"Nominated [12] [13] [14]
Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African R&B Soul"Tems - Damages"Nominated
Breakout Artiste of the Year"Tems - Damages"Nominated

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Damages"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [21] Gold40,000
United Kingdom (BPI) [22] Silver200,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiwa Savage discography</span> Nigerian singer discography

The discography of Tiwa Savage, a Nigerian singer consists of three studio albums, one compilation album, 23 singles, ten music videos, four promotional single, five guest appearances, and one cameo appearance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarz</span> Nigerian record producer and musician

Osabuohien Osaretin, better known by his stage name Osaretin, is a Nigerian record producer, mixing engineer and musician. Born in Benin City, Edo State, he is popularly known for the tag “Sarz on the beat” or "Really", at the beginning or end of all his music productions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spinall</span> Nigerian disc jockey and record producer

Oluseye Desmond Sodamola, professionally known as Spinall, is a Nigerian disc jockey, record producer, and songwriter. He has released six studio albums and collaborated with artists that have included Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Asake, Joeboy among others. He has won numerous awards for his work, including All Africa Music Awards and The Beatz Awards. He is also the first Nigerian disc jockey to play at festivals such as Coachella, SXSW, and Glastonbury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ycee</span> Nigerian rapper

Oludemilade Martin Alejo, known professionally as Ycee, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He gained popularity after his single "Condo", which features vocals by Patoranking, earned him two nominations at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. He was also nominated for Best Artist in African Pop at the 2015 All Africa Music Awards and for Next Rated at The Headies 2016. Ycee signed a record deal with Sony Music in October 2016, but terminated his contract with the label in February 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pheelz</span> Nigerian record producer and singer

Phillip Kayode Moses, better known as Pheelz, is a Nigerian record producer, singer, songwriter, and graphic designer. Pheelz is credited to have produced all but one song on Olamide's Baddest Guy Ever Liveth album. In 2022, he had a hit with his song "Finesse", a collaboration with Bnxn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Niniola</span> Nigerian singer-songwriter

Niniola Apata, known professionally as Niniola, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. She participated in the sixth season of Project Fame West Africa in 2013 After releasing her debut single "Ibadi", she was nominated for Most Promising Act to Watch at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feeling (Ladipoe and Buju song)</span> 2021 single by Ladipoe and Buju

"Feeling" is a song by Nigerian musicians Ladipoe and Buju. It was released by Mavin Records, through Mavin Global Holdings on 7 May 2021. The song was written by Ladipoe and Buju, and produced by Andre Vibez. "Feeling" spent four consecutive weeks at number 1 on the Nigerian TurnTable Top 50 chart, and became the most played song on Nigeria radio from 26 May to 13 July 2021. The song peaked at number 1 on the TurnTable Top 50 Streaming Songs and peaked at number 3 on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart. On 14 July 2022, it debut at number 6 on TurnTable newly launched Top Hip-Hop/Rap Songs chart.

Afrobeats, not to be confused with Afrobeat or Afroswing, is an umbrella term to describe popular music from West Africa and the diaspora that initially developed in Nigeria, Ghana, and the UK in the 2000s and 2010s. Afrobeats is less of a style per se, and more of a descriptor for the fusion of sounds flowing out of Nigeria and Ghana. Genres such as hiplife, jùjú music, highlife, azonto music, and naija beats, among others, were amalgamated under the "Afrobeats" umbrella.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tems</span> Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer (born 1995)

Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. She rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid's 2020 single "Essence", which peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the release of the remix version with Justin Bieber. The song earned her a Grammy Award nomination. That same year, she was featured on the song "Fountains" by Canadian rapper Drake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nobody (DJ Neptune song)</span> 2020 song by DJ Neptune

"Nobody" is the second single from Nigerian disk jockey DJ Neptune's forthcoming second studio album Greatness II: The Sounds Of Neptune. The song was released as a single on March 5, 2020. It was produced by Magic Sticks and features vocals from Nigerian singers Joeboy and Mr Eazi. "Nobody" is the first Nigerian song to peak at number one, on TurnTable End of the Year Top 50 chart.

"Essence" is a song by Nigerian singer Wizkid, featuring fellow Nigerian singer Tems. It was released on 30 October 2020, as the fourth single from Wizkid's fourth studio album, Made in Lagos. "Essence" was produced by P2J and Legendury Beatz. The "sensual" song sees the duo express their desire for each other. A music video was released on 9 April 2021, shot in Accra, Ghana. "Essence" is the first Nigerian song in history to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Global 200. The song received a nomination at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Global Music Performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Kaywise</span> Nigerian DJ

Ayorinde Kehinde Okiki, known professionally as DJ Kaywise is a Nigerian disc jockey and record producer. Kaywise broke into the mixtape market in Alaba in the year 2010. He has since gained prominence as a DJ in Nigeria and has released chart topping songs with many Nigerian music stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayra Starr</span> Nigerian singer (born 2002)

Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, known professionally as Ayra Starr, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Starr achieved mainstream international recognition in 2022, with the release of her song "Rush". The song charted in several territories, including Switzerland, Ireland and the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 24. It earned Starr a nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for Best African Music Performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bella Shmurda</span> Nigerian singer

Abiola Ahmed Akinbiyi, known professionally as Bella Shmurda, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He rose to prominence in 2019 with the release of the song "Vision 2020", and a follow-up remix which featured Olamide. He is also the leader of Dangbana Republik; a collective of creatives in Lagos providing community and humanitarian contributions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CKay</span> Nigerian singer and record producer (born 1995)

Chukwuka Chukwuma Ekweani, better known by his stage name Ckay, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer signed to Boyfriend Music, Warner Music Africa and Atlantic Records. He was formerly signed to Chocolate City, a member of Warner Music Group independent label services ADA. His international hit single "Love Nwantiti", also known as "Love Nwantiti ", was released in 2019 by Chocolate City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oxlade (singer)</span> Nigerian Afro-fusion musician

Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman, known professionally as Oxlade, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter signed to Troniq Music, Epic Records in France, and Columbia Records in the UK. He rose to prominence with the release of the song "Away", which appeared on Rolling Stone's 50 best songs of 2020. After the success of his 2022 single "Ku Lo Sa", Oxlade was named Pandora Africa's Next Artist in July 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peru (song)</span> 2021 single by Fireboy DML

"Peru" is a song by Nigerian singer Fireboy DML. It was released on 20 July 2021, through YBNL Nation, and distributed by Empire. "Peru" was written by Fireboy DML, Ivory Scott, & Kolten Perine and produced by Shizzi & Perine. On 23 December 2021, a reworked version of "Peru" was released, in collaboration with English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. The music video for the version with Sheeran was released on 24 December 2021. An additional remix, featuring rappers 21 Savage and Blxst was also later released. The song was nominated at the 7th annual African Entertainment Awards USA for Song of the Year. The song is not about the country of Peru, but rather a reference to Nigerian singer Peruzzi; the government of Peru nonetheless reacted positively to the song on Twitter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruger (musician)</span> Nigerian singer-songwriter (born 1999)

Michael Adebayo Olayinka, known professionally as Ruger is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and musician. He rose to fame with the release of his song "Bounce", which led him to sign a recording deal with Jonzing World, in 2021. That same year, he released his debut extended play, Pandemic. In 2024, he exit Jonzing World to start his own imprint, called 'Blown Boy Entertainment'.

Lekan Osifeso Jnr., popularly known as Lojay, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer. He peaked at number 8 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart with his song "Monalisa", which features Chris Brown and Sarz. He received a nomination for the Headies Award for Next Rated artiste at the 2022 Headies Award.

References

  1. "Tems Returns With Addictive New Single 'Damages'". Clash Magazine . Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Tems - Damages". Pulse Nigeria. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  3. "Interview with Tems: Music for Hard Hearts That Are About to Turn into Stone". Atwood Magazine. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  4. Damages - Single by Tems, 18 September 2020, retrieved 24 September 2021
  5. "Tems' "Damages" is topping the charts". The Native . 18 November 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  6. 1 2 Simi, Adegokesimi. ""Damages" is the most-heard song on radio this week". Turntable Charts. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  7. "Tems: the next generation of alternative R&B". Pan African Music. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  8. "The Singles Jukebox » Tems – Damages" . Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  9. BellaNaija.com (18 September 2020). "New Music: Tems – Damages". BellaNaija . Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  10. "Tems - Damages [Video]". DSTNGR. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  11. Mofijesusewa, Samuel (20 June 2021). "NET Honours 2021: "Damages" by Tems Named Most Played Alternative Song". Nigerian Entertainment Today . Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  12. "FULL LIST: Wizkid earns six AFRIMA 2021 nominations". TheCable Lifestyle. 22 September 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  13. Obey, Yinka (25 November 2021). "AFRIMA 2021: Wizkid, Iba One win big, Manjeru makes history, full list of winner". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  14. "2021 AFRIMA Awards – See Full Winners List". tooXclusive. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  15. "Wizkid & Burna Boy's "Ginger" is the First Song to Start at No.1 on TurnTable Top 50 Chart". BellaNaija. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  16. "Turntable Top 50 Streaming Songs Week of October 06 2020". Turntable Charts. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  17. "Turntable Top 50 Airplay Chart Week of November 24 2020". Turntable Charts. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  18. "Official Afrobeats Chart Top 20". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  19. "Tems Chart History (Afrobeats Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  20. "TurnTable End of Year Top 50 of 2020". Turntable Charts. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  21. "Canadian single certifications – Tems – Damages". Music Canada . Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  22. "British single certifications – Tems – Damages". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 4 October 2024.