Damages (song) explained

"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]}

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

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.^[6]

Critical reception

The song received positive reviews from critics.^[7] A review from Pulse Nigeria stated that "the song is between a girl power anthem and a refusal of bad treatment", 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".^[8]

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.^[9]

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Nominee/Work	Result	Ref
2021	Net Honours	Most Played Alternative Song	"Damages"		[10]
	All Africa Music Awards	Best Female Artiste in Western Africa	"Tems - Damages"		[11] [12] [13]
		Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African R&B Soul	"Tems - Damages"
		Breakout Artiste of the Year	"Tems - Damages"

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2020-2022)! scope="col"

Peak position
Nigeria (TurnTable Top 50)[14]	6
Nigeria Top 50 Streaming Songs (TurnTable)[15]	24
Nigeria Top 50 Airplay (TurnTable)[16]	1

Year-end charts

Notes and References

1. Web site: Tems Returns With Addictive New Single 'Damages'. 2021-09-22. Clash Magazine.
2. Web site: 2020-09-18. Tems - Damages. 2021-09-22. Pulse Nigeria.
3. Web site: 2020-12-17. Interview with Tems: Music for Hard Hearts That Are About to Turn into Stone. 2021-09-24. Atwood Magazine.
4. Web site: 2020-11-18. Tems' "Damages" is topping the charts. 2021-09-22. The Native.
5. Web site: Simi . Adegokesimi . "Damages" is the most-heard song on radio this week . Turntable Charts . 23 June 2022 . en.
6. Web site: 2020-09-24. Tems: the next generation of alternative R&B. 2021-09-22. Pan African Music.
7. Web site: The Singles Jukebox » Tems – Damages. 2021-09-23.
8. Web site: BellaNaija.com. 2020-09-18. New Music: Tems – Damages. 2021-09-22. BellaNaija.
9. Web site: Tems - Damages [Video]]. 2021-09-24. DSTNGR.
10. Web site: Mofijesusewa. Samuel. 2021-06-20. NET Honours 2021: "Damages" by Tems Named Most Played Alternative Song. live. 2021-07-21. Nigerian Entertainment Today. https://web.archive.org/web/20210621172630/https://thenet.ng/net-honours-2021-damages-by-tems-named-most-played-alternative-song/ . 21 June 2021 .
11. Web site: FULL LIST: Wizkid earns six AFRIMA 2021 nominations . TheCable Lifestyle . 12 October 2021 . 22 September 2021.
12. Web site: Obey. Yinka. 2021-11-25. AFRIMA 2021: Wizkid, Iba One win big, Manjeru makes history, full list of winner. 2021-11-26. Legit.ng - Nigeria news.. en.
13. Web site: 2021-11-22. 2021 AFRIMA Awards – See Full Winners List. 2021-11-26. tooXclusive. en-US.
14. Web site: Wizkid & Burna Boy’s "Ginger" is the First Song to Start at No.1 on TurnTable Top 50 Chart . BellaNaija . 23 June 2022 . 10 November 2020.
15. Web site: Turntable Top 50 Streaming Songs Week of October 06 2020 . Turntable Charts . 23 June 2022.
16. Web site: Turntable Top 50 Airplay Chart Week of November 24 2020 . Turntable Charts . 23 June 2022 . en.
17. Web site: TurnTable End of Year Top 50 of 2020 . Turntable Charts . 23 June 2022 . en.