Damages (song)

"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]

"Damages"
Single by Tems
from the EP For Broken Ears
Released	17 September 2020
Genre	Alt-R&B Alté
Length	2:49
Label	Leading Vibes
Songwriter(s)	Temilade Openiyi
Producer(s)	Spax
Tems singles chronology
"These Days" (2020) "Damages" (2020) "Essence" (2021)
Music video
"Damages" on YouTube

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

Year	Award	Category	Nominee/Work	Result	Ref
2021	Net Honours	Most 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

Weekly charts Chart performance for "Damages" Chart (2020-2022) Peak position Nigeria (TurnTable Top 50)[15] 6 Nigeria Top 50 Streaming Songs (TurnTable)[16] 24 Nigeria Top 50 Airplay (TurnTable)[17][6] 1 UK Afrobeats Singles (OCC)[18] 12 US Afrobeats Songs (Billboard)[19] 16

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Damages" Chart (2020) Position Nigeria TurnTable End of the Year (TurnTable)[20] 30

Certifications

Certifications for "Damages"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[21]	Gold	40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[22]	Silver	200,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "Tems Returns With Addictive New Single 'Damages'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
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. 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". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
19. Cusson, Michael (29 March 2022). "Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
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.