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{{Multiple issues|
{{Multiple issues|
{{BLP sources|date=May 2017}}
{{BLP sources|date=May 2017}}
{{Expand French|Damso|date=April 2023}}
{{Expand French|topic=bio|Damso|date=April 2023}}
}}
}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Damso
| name = Damso
| background = solo_singer
| background = solo_singer
| image = Festival des Vieilles Charrues 2018 - Damso - 009 (cropped).jpg
| image = Festival des Vieilles Charrues 2018 - Damso - 009 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Damso performing at [[Vieilles Charrues Festival]] on July 21, 2018
| caption = Damso performing at [[Vieilles Charrues Festival]] on July 21, 2018
| birth_name = William Kalubi Mwamba
| birth_name = William Kalubi Mwamba
| alias = Dems
| alias = Dems
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|05|10|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|05|10|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Kinshasa]], [[Zaire]] (present-day [[Democratic Republic of Congo|DR Congo]])
| birth_place = [[Kinshasa]], {{flag|Democratic Republic of the Congo}}
| origin = [[City of Brussels|Brussels]], Belgium
| origin = [[City of Brussels|Brussels]], Belgium
| genre = {{flatlist|
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
* [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
* [[Trap music|trap]]
* [[Trap music|trap]]
* [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
* [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
}}
}}
| occupation = {{flatlist|
| occupations = {{flatlist|
* Rapper
* Rapper
* singer
* singer
* songwriter
* songwriter
* producer
}}
}}
| years_active = 2006–present
| years_active = 2006–present
| label = {{flatlist|
| label = {{flatlist|
* [[Capitol Music|Capitol]]
* [[Capitol Music|Capitol]]
* [[Universal Music Group|Universal]]
* [[Universal Music Group|Universal]]
}}
}}
| associated_acts =
| website =
* [[Benash]]
* [[Booba (rapper)|Booba]]
* [[Hamza (rapper)|Hamza]]
* [[Kalash (rapper)|Kalash]]
* [[Siboy]]
* [[Vald (rapper)|Vald]]
* [[Orelsan]]
* [[Ninho]]
* [[Dadju]]
* [[Kalash Criminel]]
*[[Lous and the Yakuza]]
| website =
}}
}}
'''William Kalubi Mwamba''' (born 10 May 1992 in [[Kinshasa]]), better known by his stage name '''Damso''' ({{IPA-fr|damso|lang}}), is a [[Belgium|Belgian]]-[[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congolese]] [[Rapping|rapper]], [[singer]], and [[songwriter]]. He is popular in France, where all of his albums were certified at least [[Platinum certification|platinum]].
'''William Kalubi Mwamba''' (born 10 May 1992 in [[Kinshasa]]), better known by his stage name '''Damso''' ‘ ({{IPA|fr|damso|lang}}), is a [[Belgium|Belgian]]-[[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congolese]] [[Rapping|rapper]], [[singer]], and [[songwriter]]. He is popular in France, where all of his albums were certified at least [[Platinum certification|platinum]].


==Early life==
==Early life and education==
Kalubi was born in [[Kinshasa]], [[Zaire]] (present-day [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]). When he was nine years old, he and his family left the country because of the [[Second Congo War|bloody armed conflict]] and moved to [[Belgium]]. They eventually settled in Matonge, a largely Congolese neighborhood in [[Ixelles]], [[Brussels]]. William's mother is Rose Marthe.
Kalubi was born in [[Kinshasa]], [[Zaire]] (present-day [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]) to a sociologist mother and cardiologist father. When he was nine years old, he and his family left the country for [[Belgium]] because of the [[Second Congo War|bloody armed conflict]] which he speaks about in his song ''Graine de sablier'' ("the shots of the Kalashnikov keep me from dreaming"), ''Exutoire'' ("kill everyone even the pregnant women"), and ''K. Kin la belle'' ("oh Kin [Kinshasa] the beautiful, the one that's caused me so much pain). They initially settled in [[Kraainem]], a commune on the outskirts of Brussels, where Damso grew up before moving when Damso was 22 to the largely Congolese neighborhood of [[Matongé (Ixelles)|Matonge]] in [[Ixelles]]. William's mother is Rose Marthe.


After completing secondary school, Damso's parents urged him to pursue a degree in marketing and psychology, but his passion for music led him to spend more time in recording studios, causing his academic performance to suffer. This resulted in conflicts with his parents, especially his father, who had been a medical doctor in Kinshasa, ultimately leading to Damso being kicked out of his home. Struggling to make ends meet, Damso resorted to living in squats and engaging in illegal activities for financial survival, driven by his refusal to tolerate racism and mistreatment in traditional workplaces.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Belgique – Damso : « Travailler derrière un bureau, ça ne m'intéressait pas » - Jeune Afrique.com |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/336516/culture/damso/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=JeuneAfrique.com |language=fr-FR}} </ref>
==Education==
After completing secondary school, Damso's parents encouraged him to continue his studies, and he pursued a degree in marketing and psychology. However, he began spending considerable time in recording studios, and his grades suffered. This led to a clash with his parents, especially his father, who had been a medical doctor in [[Kinshasa]].<ref name="auto">[http://www.jeuneafrique.com/336516/culture/damso/ Jeune Afrique Interview] </ref> "I was even kicked out of the house!" explained Damso. This became a major time of struggle for the artist, which led him to live in various squats of the city and led no choice for Damso to trade or sell his goods for money. The artist states: "I did marketing and psychology, but racism took a toll on my life choices. I never really felt accepted because of that. I tried to find jobs, I had interviews, but it never worked out. Maybe it's because of my height, I'm intimidating, I don't know. It's also what pushed me into illegal activities; I wasn't trying to be sly, I just needed CASH. All of this makes you angry, but it also makes you want to make your own choices. Working behind a desk with a boss who calls you a "dirty nigger" has never been an interest of mine. I didn't want to accept such treatment, just because I have to pay my rent at the end of the month. It motivated me."<ref name="auto"/>


==Career==
==Career==
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In France, all of Damso's albums have attained at minimum platinum certification.<ref name="Les certifications"/>
In France, all of Damso's albums have attained at minimum platinum certification.<ref name="Les certifications"/>


On July 8, 2016, his first studio album, entitled ''Batterie Faible'', was released on Booba's label: 92i Records. The project, fully mixed and recorded by Krisy, has been certified platinum in France selling more than 100,000 units.<ref>{{cite web|author=Par Tonis|title=« Batterie Faible » de Damso est certifié disque de platine !|url=https://www.booska-p.com/musique/actualites/damso-disque-de-platine-avec-batterie-faible/ |publisher=Booska |access-date=3 February 2023|language=fr|date=24 August 2017}}</ref>
On July 8, 2016, his first studio album, entitled ''Batterie Faible'', was released on Booba's label: 92i Records. The project, fully mixed and recorded by Krisy, has been certified platinum in France selling more than 300,000 units.<ref>{{cite web|author=Par Tonis|title=« Batterie Faible » de Damso est certifié disque de platine !|url=https://www.booska-p.com/musique/actualites/damso-disque-de-platine-avec-batterie-faible/ |publisher=Booska |access-date=3 February 2023|language=fr|date=24 August 2017}}</ref>


His second album ''Ipséité'' was released on April 28, 2017, and was certified triple platinum in less than six months. The album is now certified diamond with over 900,000 cumulative album sales in France.<ref>Albums sales https://genius.com/artists/Damso</ref>
His second album ''Ipséité'' was released on April 28, 2017, and was certified triple platinum in less than six months. The album is now certified diamond with over 900,000 cumulative album sales in France.<ref>Albums sales https://genius.com/artists/Damso</ref>


In 2018, Damso's third album ''Lithopedion'' was certified platinum within a week of its release and is now certified triple platinum. He won the best musicer awards.<ref name="Les certifications"/>
In 2018, Damso's third album ''Lithopedion'' was certified platinum within a week of its release and is now certified Diamond with over 500,000 units sold. He won the best musician awards.<ref name="Les certifications"/>


In 2020, he released album ''QALF''.
In 2020, he released album ''QALF'', which was later certified Diamond with over 500,000 units sold.

Which is now certified triple platinum.
==Artistry==

===Musical style and influences===
Damso's music is influenced by his childhood in [[Kinshasa]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] as well as his adolescence in [[Ixelles]], Belgium. He said in an interview that he was inspired by [[Bone Thugs-n-Harmony|Bone Thugs N Harmony]] and [[Mylène Farmer]].

===Themes===
Damso explores a number of themes related to romance, success, his country of origin (the DRC), racism, and gender.

==Personal life==
In 2017, Damso had his son Lior. In 2020, he dedicated the song ''Deux toiles de mer'' to him which is one of the biggest successes of his album, ''QALF''. Damso is separated from his son's mother, as explained in the song. He initially dedicated an open letter to his son under an Instagram which greatly elicited emotion from his fans.


==Controversy==
==Controversy==
National soccer teams often commission musicians to create songs for big tournaments as a way of building morale and reflecting national identity. In 2018, the Belgian Football Association announced that it would hire Damso to prepare an anthem for its participation in that year's FIFA World Cup. However, the Belgian FA received strong criticism from the public and women rights group because of misogynist and sexist content of Damso's songs. In March 2018, it announced that it had ended the collaboration with Damso “by mutual agreement,” according to a statement. The association went on to say, “We especially wish to apologize to all those who felt offended, discriminated against or diminished by the choice of the artist in question.”<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/09/arts/music/belgium-damso-world-cup-song.html|title=Belgium Drops Rapper from World Cup Song After Sexism Outcry|date=9 March 2018|work=The New York Times|accessdate=2023-02-03}}</ref>
In 2018, the Belgian Football Association planned to commission Damso to create an anthem for the national soccer team's participation in the [[FIFA World Cup]], but faced public backlash and criticism from women's rights groups due to misogynistic and sexist content in his songs. Following this controversy, the association terminated their collaboration with Damso, issuing an apology to those who felt offended or discriminated against by their choice of artist.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 March 2018 |title=Belgium Drops Rapper from World Cup Song After Sexism Outcry |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/09/arts/music/belgium-damso-world-cup-song.html |accessdate=2023-02-03 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>

==Concerts==
Damso organised his first tour, the ''Ipséité Tour'' after the release of his album ''Ipséité'' in 2017 in which he went toured in France and Belgium. After a huge success, he continued with the ''Lithopédion Tour'' in 2018 and 2019 across the Francophone world.


==Discography==
==Discography==
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! style="text-align:center; width:10px" rowspan="2"|Year
! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Year
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; width:180px;"|Album
! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Album
! style="text-align:center;" colspan="5"|Charts
! scope="col" colspan="5"|Charts
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|Certification
! scope="col" rowspan="2"|Certification
|-
|-
!width="20"|<small>[[Ultratop|BEL<br />(Fl)]]</small><br /><ref name=bel-fl>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/search.asp?search=Damso&cat=s|title=ultratop.be - ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS|website=ultratop.be|accessdate=Dec 8, 2020}}</ref>
!scope="col" width="20"|<small>[[Ultratop|BEL<br />(Fl)]]</small><br /><ref name=bel-fl>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/search.asp?search=Damso&cat=s|title=ultratop.be - Ultratop Belgian Charts|website=ultratop.be|accessdate=24 November 2024}}</ref>
!width="20"|<small>[[Ultratop|BEL<br />(Wa)]]</small><br /><ref name=bel-wa>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/search.asp?search=Damso&cat=s|title=ultratop.be - ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS|website=ultratop.be|accessdate=Dec 8, 2020}}</ref>
!scope="col" width="20"|<small>[[Ultratop|BEL<br />(Wa)]]</small><br /><ref name=bel-wa>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/search.asp?search=Damso&cat=s|title=ultratop.be - Ultratop Belgian Charts|website=ultratop.be|accessdate=1 December 2024}}</ref>
!width="20"|<small>[[Canadian Albums Chart|CAN]]</small><br /><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/damso/chart-history/cna/|title=Damso|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=Dec 8, 2020}}</ref>
!scope="col" width="20"|<small>[[Canadian Albums Chart|CAN]]</small><br /><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/damso/chart-history/cna/|title=Damso|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=8 December 2020}}</ref>
!width="20"|<small>[[SNEP|FRA]]</small><br /><ref name=fr>{{Cite web|url=https://lescharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Damso|title=lescharts.com - Discographie Damso|website=lescharts.com|accessdate=Dec 8, 2020}}</ref>
!scope="col" width="20"|<small>[[SNEP|FRA]]</small><br /><ref name=fr>{{Cite web|url=https://lescharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Damso|title=lescharts.com - Discographie Damso|website=lescharts.com|accessdate=8 December 2020}}</ref>
!width="20"|<small>[[Swiss Hitparade|SWI]]</small><br /><ref name=swi>{{Cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Damso|title=Discographie Damso - hitparade.ch|website=hitparade.ch|accessdate=Dec 8, 2020}}</ref>
!scope="col" width="20"|<small>[[Swiss Hitparade|SWI]]</small><br /><ref name=swi>{{Cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Damso|title=Discographie Damso - hitparade.ch|website=hitparade.ch|accessdate=8 December 2020}}</ref>
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2016
| style="text-align:center;"|2016
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| style="text-align:center;"|19
| style="text-align:center;"|19
| style="text-align:center;"|
| style="text-align:center;"|
*[[SNEP]]: 2× Platinum<ref name="Les certifications">{{cite certification|region=France|artist=Damso|accessdate=25 October 2022}}</ref>
*[[SNEP]]: 3× Platinum<ref name="Les certifications">{{cite certification|region=France|artist=Damso|accessdate=11 April 2024}}</ref>
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2017
| style="text-align:center;"|2017
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| style="text-align:center;"|
| style="text-align:center;"|
* [[Belgian Entertainment Association|BEA]]: Gold<ref name=BEA2019album/>
* [[Belgian Entertainment Association|BEA]]: Gold<ref name=BEA2019album/>
* SNEP: Diamond<ref name="Les certifications"/>
* SNEP: 2× Diamond<ref name="Les certifications"/>
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2018
| style="text-align:center;"|2018
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| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|36
| style="text-align:center;"|36
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|1<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=39?&annee=2020&categorie=Top%20Albums|title=Top Albums (Week 39, 2020)|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|language=French|accessdate=28 September 2020}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|
| style="text-align:center;"|
* BEA: Gold<ref name=BEA2021album>{{cite certification|region=Belgium|type=album|certyear=2021|access-date=15 August 2021}}</ref>
* BEA: Gold<ref name=BEA2021album>{{cite certification|region=Belgium|type=album|certyear=2021|access-date=15 August 2021}}</ref>
*SNEP: 3× Platinum<ref name="Les certifications"/>
*SNEP: Diamond<ref name="Les certifications"/>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2023
|''QALF Live''
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|38
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|2024
|''Vieux sons''
| style="text-align:center;"|133
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|16
| style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|''J'ai menti''
| style="text-align:center;"|15
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|2<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=47?&annee=2024&categorie=Top%20Albums|title=Top Albums (Week 47, 2024)|publisher=[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique]]|language=French|accessdate=28 November 2024}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|
|}
|}


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| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|
|
* SNEP: Platinum<ref name="Les certifications"/>
* SNEP: Diamond<ref name="Les certifications"/>
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=2|''Batterie faible''
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=2|''Batterie faible''
|-
|-
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| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|
|
* SNEP: Gold<ref name="Les certifications"/>
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="7" {{n/a|Non-album singles}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="7" {{n/a|Non-album singles}}
|-
|-
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| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|
|
* SNEP: Gold<ref name="Les certifications"/>
|-
|-
| "TieksVie"
| "TieksVie"
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|
|
|-
|-
| "Ipséité"
| "[[Ipséité]]"
| style="text-align:center;"| 2
| style="text-align:center;"| 2
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
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* SNEP: Diamond<ref name="Les certifications"/>
* SNEP: Diamond<ref name="Les certifications"/>
|-
|-
| "Smog"
| "[[Smog (song)|Smog]]"
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
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| style="text-align:center;"| 77
| style="text-align:center;"| 77
|
|
* SNEP: Gold<ref name="Les certifications"/>
|-
|-
| "BXL Zoo"<br /><small>(featuring [[Hamza (rapper)|Hamza]])</small>
| "BXL Zoo"<br /><small>(featuring [[Hamza (rapper)|Hamza]])</small>
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|
|
* BEA: Gold<ref name=BEA2021>{{cite certification|region=Belgium|type=single|certyear=2021|access-date=20 January 2023}}</ref>
* BEA: Gold<ref name=BEA2021>{{cite certification|region=Belgium|type=single|certyear=2021|access-date=20 January 2023}}</ref>
* SNEP: Gold<ref name="Les certifications"/>
* SNEP: Diamond<ref name="Les certifications"/>
| style="text-align:center;"| ''QALF''
| style="text-align:center;"| ''QALF''
|-
|-
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|
|
|
|
* SNEP: Gold<ref name="Les certifications"/>
|-
|-
| "Morose"
| "Morose"
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| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|
|
* SNEP: Gold<ref name="Les certifications"/>
| style="text-align:center;"| ''Malpolis''
| style="text-align:center;"| ''Malpolis''
|-
|-
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| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|
|
* SNEP: Gold<ref name="Les certifications"/>
| rowspan="2" {{Non-album singles}}
| rowspan="2" {{Non-album singles}}
|-
|-
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| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|
|
* SNEP: Platinum<ref name="Les certifications"/>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"| 2024
| "Chrome"
| style="text-align:center;"| 13
| style="text-align:center;"| 12<ref>{{cite web|url=http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=45&annee=2024&categorie=Top%20Singles|title=Top Singles (Week 45, 2024)|publisher=[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique]]|language=French|accessdate=13 November 2024}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| ''J'ai menti''
|-
| "Laisse-moi tranquille"
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| 6
| style="text-align:center;"| 37
|
|-
| "Alpha"
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
| style="text-align:center;"| 1<ref>{{cite web|url=http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=47&annee=2024&categorie=Top%20Singles|title=Top Singles (Week 47, 2024)|publisher=[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique]]|language=French|accessdate=28 November 2024}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|}
|}
<small>*Did not appear in the official Belgian Ultratop 50 charts, but rather in the bubbling under Ultratip charts.</small>
<small>*Did not appear in the official Belgian Ultratop 50 charts, but rather in the bubbling under Ultratip charts.</small>
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| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|
|
* SNEP: Platinum<ref name="Les certifications"/>
* SNEP: Diamond<ref name="Les certifications"/>
| style="text-align:center;"| <small>Vald album</small> <br />''Agartha''
| style="text-align:center;"| <small>Vald album</small> <br />''Agartha''
|-
|-
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| style="text-align:center;"| 35
| style="text-align:center;"| 35
|
|
* SNEP: Gold<ref name="Les certifications"/>
* SNEP: Diamond<ref name="Les certifications"/>
| style="text-align:center;"| <small>Ninho album</small> <br />''M.I.L.S 3''
| style="text-align:center;"| <small>Ninho album</small> <br />''M.I.L.S 3''
EL GRANDE TOTO
EL GRANDE TOTO
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| style="text-align:center;"| <small>Aya Nakamura album</small> <br />DNK
| style="text-align:center;"| <small>Aya Nakamura album</small> <br />DNK
|-
|-
| "Rencontre"<br />{{small|([[Disiz]] featuring Damso)}}
| "[[Rencontre (song)|Recontre]]"<br />{{small|([[Disiz]] featuring Damso)}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 11
| style="text-align:center;"| 11
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
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| "Nocif"<br />{{small|([[Hamza (rapper)|Hamza]] featuring Damso)}}
| "Nocif"<br />{{small|([[Hamza (rapper)|Hamza]] featuring Damso)}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2
| style="text-align:center;"| 2
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
| style="text-align:center;"| 1<br /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=8?&annee=2023&categorie=Top%20Singles|title=Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles – SNEP (Week 8, 2023)|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|language=French|accessdate=27 February 2023}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 14
| style="text-align:center;"| 14
|
|
* SNEP: Diamond<ref name="Les certifications"/>
| style="text-align:center;"| ''Sincèrement''
| style="text-align:center;"| ''Sincèrement''
|-
|-
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|
|
| style="text-align:center;"| ''Diamant du Bled''
| style="text-align:center;"| ''Diamant du Bled''
|-
| style="text-align:center"| 2024
| "Pyramide"<br />{{small|(Werenoi featuring Damso)}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 3
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|
| style="text-align:center;"| ''Pyramide''
|}
|}
<small>*Did not appear in the official Belgian Ultratop 50 charts, but rather in the bubbling under Ultratip charts.</small>
<small>*Did not appear in the official Belgian Ultratop 50 charts, but rather in the bubbling under Ultratip charts.</small>
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|Year
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; width:180px;"|Single
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:180px;"| Title
! style="text-align:center;" colspan="3"|Charts
! scope="col" colspan="3"| Charts
!align="center" rowspan="2" |[[Music recording sales certification|Certifications]]
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| [[Music recording sales certification|Certifications]]
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; |Album
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album
|-
|-
!width="20"|<small>[[Ultratop|BEL<br />(Wa)]]<br /><ref name=bel-wa/></small>
!width="20"|<small>[[Ultratop|BEL<br />(Wa)]]<br /><ref name=bel-wa/></small>
Line 558: Line 620:
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|
|
* SNEP: Gold<ref name="Les certifications"/>
* SNEP: Platinum<ref name="Les certifications"/>
|-
|-
| "QuedelaVie"
| "QuedelaVie"
Line 667: Line 729:
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|
|
* SNEP: Gold<ref name="Les certifications"/>
* SNEP: Platinum<ref name="Les certifications"/>
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=15|''Lithopédion''
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=15|''Lithopédion''
|-
|-
Line 682: Line 744:
| style="text-align:center;"|48
| style="text-align:center;"|48
|
|
* SNEP: Platinum<ref name="Les certifications"/>
* SNEP: Diamond<ref name="Les certifications"/>
|-
|-
| "Baltringue"
| "Baltringue"
Line 756: Line 818:
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|
|
* SNEP: Gold<ref name="Les certifications"/>
|-
|-
| "Aux paradis"
| "Aux paradis"
Line 769: Line 832:
| style="text-align:center;"|9
| style="text-align:center;"|9
|
|
* SNEP: Gold<ref name="Les certifications"/>
* SNEP: Diamond<ref name="Les certifications"/>
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=13|''QALF''
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=13|''QALF''
|-
|-
Line 862: Line 925:
| style="text-align:center;"|26
| style="text-align:center;"|26
|
|
* SNEP: Platinum<ref name="Les certifications"/>
* BEA: Gold<ref name=BEA2022s/>
* BEA: Gold<ref name=BEA2022s/>
|-
|-
Line 881: Line 945:
| style="text-align:center;"|35
| style="text-align:center;"|35
|
|
* SNEP: Diamond<ref name="Les certifications"/>
* BEA: Gold<ref name=BEA2022s/>
* BEA: Gold<ref name=BEA2022s/>
|-
|-
Line 900: Line 965:
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|
|
* SNEP: Gold<ref name="Les certifications"/>
|-
|-
| "Χ. Zwaar"
| "Χ. Zwaar"
Line 916: Line 982:
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|20
| style="text-align:center;"|20
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=11|2024
| "Tout tenter"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|7
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=11|''J'ai menti''
|-
| "Alpha"<br />{{small|(with Angèle)}}
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|22
|
|-
| "Laisse-moi tranquille"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|
|-
| "Schema"
| style="text-align:center;"|33
| style="text-align:center;"|7
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|
|-
| "Limbisa ngai"<br />{{small|(featuring Kalash)}}
| style="text-align:center;"|37
| style="text-align:center;"|9
| style="text-align:center;"|47
|
|-
| "Tout tenner"<br />{{small|(with Angèle)}}
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|13
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|
|-
| "Mony"<br />{{small|(with Michkavie)}}
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|16
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|
|-
| "Consequences"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|19
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|
|-
| "24h plus tot"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|24
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|
|-
| "La Rue est morte."
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|27
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|
|-
| "Damsautiste"
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|37
| style="text-align:center;"|—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|
|
Line 927: Line 1,061:
[[Category:1992 births]]
[[Category:1992 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Belgian rappers]]
[[Category:Belgian male rappers]]
[[Category:French-language singers of Belgium]]
[[Category:French-language singers of Belgium]]
[[Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo emigrants to Belgium]]
[[Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo emigrants to Belgium]]
[[Category:People from Kinshasa]]
[[Category:Musicians from Kinshasa]]
[[Category:21st-century Belgian male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Belgian male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Belgian singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Belgian singers]]
[[Category:21st-century rappers]]
[[Category:21st-century rappers]]
[[Category:Rapping]]
[[Category:Trap musicians]]
[[Category:Hip hop albums]]

Latest revision as of 10:36, 24 December 2024

Damso
Damso performing at Vieilles Charrues Festival on July 21, 2018
Damso performing at Vieilles Charrues Festival on July 21, 2018
Background information
Birth nameWilliam Kalubi Mwamba
Also known asDems
Born (1992-05-10) 10 May 1992 (age 32)
Kinshasa,  Democratic Republic of the Congo
OriginBrussels, Belgium
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • producer
Years active2006–present
Labels

William Kalubi Mwamba (born 10 May 1992 in Kinshasa), better known by his stage name Damso ‘ (French: [damso]), is a Belgian-Congolese rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is popular in France, where all of his albums were certified at least platinum.

Early life and education

[edit]

Kalubi was born in Kinshasa, Zaire (present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo) to a sociologist mother and cardiologist father. When he was nine years old, he and his family left the country for Belgium because of the bloody armed conflict which he speaks about in his song Graine de sablier ("the shots of the Kalashnikov keep me from dreaming"), Exutoire ("kill everyone even the pregnant women"), and K. Kin la belle ("oh Kin [Kinshasa] the beautiful, the one that's caused me so much pain). They initially settled in Kraainem, a commune on the outskirts of Brussels, where Damso grew up before moving when Damso was 22 to the largely Congolese neighborhood of Matonge in Ixelles. William's mother is Rose Marthe.

After completing secondary school, Damso's parents urged him to pursue a degree in marketing and psychology, but his passion for music led him to spend more time in recording studios, causing his academic performance to suffer. This resulted in conflicts with his parents, especially his father, who had been a medical doctor in Kinshasa, ultimately leading to Damso being kicked out of his home. Struggling to make ends meet, Damso resorted to living in squats and engaging in illegal activities for financial survival, driven by his refusal to tolerate racism and mistreatment in traditional workplaces.[1]

Career

[edit]

Damso started his rap career in 2006 by performing at local and underground events. At the start of his rap career, he formed rap collective OPG with childhood friend Dolfa. They later recruited Ducke, Lio Brown, and Rex. He released his first solo project Salle d'attente online as a free download in 2014. In collaboration with his band OPG, and significantly inspired by his older brother Mehdi Rais, he released his mixtape MMMXIII on 24 September 2014. Damso made his name in 2015 thanks to his song "Poseidon", which appears on Booba's OKLM mixtape. Following this, he joined Booba's 92i collective and signed with Universal Music.[2] He made an appearance on Booba's album Nero Nemesis on the track "Pinocchio", in collaboration with Booba and rapper Gato Da Bato. Damso's verse was noted by the public and the media, increasing his popularity and widening his audience.

In France, all of Damso's albums have attained at minimum platinum certification.[3]

On July 8, 2016, his first studio album, entitled Batterie Faible, was released on Booba's label: 92i Records. The project, fully mixed and recorded by Krisy, has been certified platinum in France selling more than 300,000 units.[4]

His second album Ipséité was released on April 28, 2017, and was certified triple platinum in less than six months. The album is now certified diamond with over 900,000 cumulative album sales in France.[5]

In 2018, Damso's third album Lithopedion was certified platinum within a week of its release and is now certified Diamond with over 500,000 units sold. He won the best musician awards.[3]

In 2020, he released album QALF, which was later certified Diamond with over 500,000 units sold.

Artistry

[edit]

Musical style and influences

[edit]

Damso's music is influenced by his childhood in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as his adolescence in Ixelles, Belgium. He said in an interview that he was inspired by Bone Thugs N Harmony and Mylène Farmer.

Themes

[edit]

Damso explores a number of themes related to romance, success, his country of origin (the DRC), racism, and gender.

Personal life

[edit]

In 2017, Damso had his son Lior. In 2020, he dedicated the song Deux toiles de mer to him which is one of the biggest successes of his album, QALF. Damso is separated from his son's mother, as explained in the song. He initially dedicated an open letter to his son under an Instagram which greatly elicited emotion from his fans.

Controversy

[edit]

In 2018, the Belgian Football Association planned to commission Damso to create an anthem for the national soccer team's participation in the FIFA World Cup, but faced public backlash and criticism from women's rights groups due to misogynistic and sexist content in his songs. Following this controversy, the association terminated their collaboration with Damso, issuing an apology to those who felt offended or discriminated against by their choice of artist.[6]

Concerts

[edit]

Damso organised his first tour, the Ipséité Tour after the release of his album Ipséité in 2017 in which he went toured in France and Belgium. After a huge success, he continued with the Lithopédion Tour in 2018 and 2019 across the Francophone world.

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
Year Album Charts Certification
BEL
(Fl)
[7] 		BEL
(Wa)
[8] 		CAN
[9] 		FRA
[10] 		SWI
[11]
2016 Batterie faible 195 2 — 8 19
2017 Ipséité 88 1 — 1 5
2018 Lithopédion 11 1 64 1 1
  • BEA: Gold[12]
  • SNEP: 2× Platinum[3]
2020/
2021 		QALF /
QALF Infinity 		2 1 36 1 3
2023 QALF Live — 38 — — —
2024 Vieux sons 133 2 — — 16
J'ai menti 15 1 — 2
[14] 		2

Mixtapes

[edit]
Year Title
2014 Salle d'attente

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
Year Single Charts Certifications Album
BEL
(Wa)
[8] 		FRA
[10] 		SWI
[11]
2016 "BruxellesVie" 22*
(Ultratip) 		— —
  • SNEP: Diamond[3]
 Batterie faible
"Amnésie" 12*
(Ultratip) 		68 —
  • SNEP: Platinum[3]
"Paris c'est loin"
(featuring Booba) 		26 4 —
  • SNEP: Platinum[3]
2017 "Nwaar Is the New Black" 8 2 56
  • SNEP: Diamond[3]
 Ipséité
"Tueurs" 10 15 63
  • SNEP: Platinum[3]
 En Douceur
2018 "CQFD" 42 26 — Non-album singles
"Fais-moi un vie" 48 15 100
"Mort" — 50 —
"TieksVie" — 21 —
"Smeagol" — 48 —
"Mucho dinero" — 59 —
"Ipséité" 2 1 26
  • SNEP: Diamond[3]
"Smog" 1 1 21
  • SNEP: Platibum[3]
 Lithopédion
"Feu de bois" 32 2 30
2019 "JTC"
(with Kalash) 		46 16 — TBA
2020 "Œveillé" 18 9 77
"BXL Zoo"
(featuring Hamza) 		1 3 16 QALF
"But en or"
(Kalash Criminel x Damso) 		34 10 92
2021 "J'avais juste envie d'écrire" 25 49 —
"Morose" 1 1 9 QALF
2022 "Macarena" — 57 —
  • BEA: 3× Platinum[16]
"Malpolis"
(with Kalash) 		27 — — Malpolis
"Cœur de pirate" 19 9 — Non-album singles
2023 "La rue"
(with No Limit and Gazo) 		2 1 —
  • SNEP: Platinum[3]
2024 "Chrome" 13 12[17] — J'ai menti
"Laisse-moi tranquille" — 6 37
"Alpha" 1 1[18] —

*Did not appear in the official Belgian Ultratop 50 charts, but rather in the bubbling under Ultratip charts.

[edit]
Year Single Charts Certifications Album
BEL
(Wa)
[8] 		FRA
[10] 		SWI
[11]
2016 "Pinocchio"
(Booba featuring Damso and Gato) 		— 115 — Booba album
Nero Nemesis
2017 "Vitrine"
(Vald featuring Damso) 		17*
(Ultratip) 		71 —
  • SNEP: Diamond[3]
 Vald album
Agartha
"Ivre"
(Benash featuring Shay and Damso) 		— 66 — Benash album
CDG
"Mobali"
(Siboy featuring Benash & Damso) 		— 56 —
  • SNEP: Diamond[3]
 Siboy album
Spécial
"Mwaka Moon"
(Kalash featuring Damso) 		1 1 25 Kalash album
Mwaka Moon
"Noche"
(Lacrim featuring Damso) 		— 26 65
  • SNEP: Platinum[3]
 Lacrim album
R.I.P.R.O 3
"113"
(Booba featuring Damso) 		— 27 38
  • SNEP: Platinum[3]
 Booba album
Trône
2018 "Rêves bizarres"
(Orelsan featuring Damso) 		1 — 15
  • SNEP: Platinum[3]
 Orelsan album
La fête est finie - Épilogue
2019 "RVRE"
(404Billy featuring Damso) 		— 101 — 404Billy album
Process
"Tricheur"
(Nekfeu featuring Damso) 		1 1 12 Nekfeu album
Les Étoiles vagabondes
"ParoVie"
(D.A.V featuring Damso) 		— 130 — TBA
"God Bless"
(Hamza featuring Damso) 		10 8 75
  • SNEP: Diamond[3]
 Hamza album
Santa Sauce 2
2020 "Promo"
(Ninho featuring Damso) 		— 2 35
  • SNEP: Diamond[3]
 Ninho album
M.I.L.S 3

EL GRANDE TOTO album Cameleon

2021 "Du mal à te dire"
(Dinos featuring Damso) 		16 — —
  • SNEP: Platinum[3]
 Dinos album
Stamina,
"R9R-Line"
(Laylow featuring Damso) 		4 25 55 Laylow album
L'étrange histoire de Mr. Anderson
"Démons"
(Angèle featuring Damso) 		2 5 31 Angèle album
Nonante-cinq,
2022 "Dégaine"
(Aya Nakamura featuring Damso) 		15 1 —
  • SNEP: Diamond[3]
 Aya Nakamura album
DNK
"Recontre"
(Disiz featuring Damso) 		11 1 — Disiz album
L'Amour
2023 "Nocif"
(Hamza featuring Damso) 		2 1 14
  • SNEP: Diamond[3]
 Sincèrement
"Coeur de ice"
(Zola featuring Damso) 		2 — — Diamant du Bled
2024 "Pyramide"
(Werenoi featuring Damso) 		3 1 — Pyramide

*Did not appear in the official Belgian Ultratop 50 charts, but rather in the bubbling under Ultratip charts.

Other charted or certified songs

[edit]
Year Title Charts Certifications Album
BEL
(Wa)
[8] 		FRA
[10] 		SWI
[11]
2016 "Débrouillard" — — — Batterie faible
"Périscope" 35
(Ultratip) 		— —
  • SNEP: Platinum[3]
"Autotune" — — —
  • SNEP: Diamond[3]
"Graine de sablier" — — —
  • SNEP: Platinum[3]
"QuedelaVie" — — —
2017 "Θ. Macarena" 5 3
[22] 		45 Ipséité
"Β. #Quedusaalvie" — 5 —
  • SNEP: Platinum[3]
"Ν. J Respect R" — 11 —
  • SNEP: Diamond[3]
"Ε. Signaler" — 7 62
  • SNEP: Diamond[3]
"Γ. Mosaïque solitaire" — 6 —
  • SNEP: Diamond[3]
"Ζ. Kiétu" — 8 —
  • SNEP: Platinum[3]
"Δ. Dieu ne ment jamais" — 9 —
  • SNEP: Platinum[3]
"Η. Gova" — 13 —
  • SNEP: Platinum[3]
"Κ. Kin la belle" — 14 —
  • SNEP: Platinum[3]
"Λ. Lové" — 15 —
  • SNEP: Platinum[3]
"Ι. Peur d'être pêre" — 17 —
"Μ. Noob Saibot" — 19 —
"Ξ. Une âme pour deux" — 22 —
2018 "Julien" 5 4
[23] 		—
  • SNEP: Platinum[3]
 Lithopédion
"Dix leurres" — 8 —
"Silence"
(feat. Angèle) 		— 3 48
  • SNEP: Diamond[3]
"Baltringue" — 7 —
"Noir meilleur" — 19 —
"60 années" — 5 —
"Même issue" — 10 —
"William" — 14 —
"Introduction" — 11 —
"Festival de rêves" — 9 —
"Perplexe" — 15 —
"Au paradis" — 13 —
"NMI" — 17 —
"Tard la night" — 23 —
"Aux paradis" — 13 —
2020 "Deux toiles de mer" — 2 9
  • SNEP: Diamond[3]
 QALF
"Life Life" — 5 22
"Coeur en miettes"
(feat. Lous and the Yakuza) 		— 6 —
  • SNEP: Platinum[3]
"Mevtr" — 7 —
"911" — 8 36
"Sentimental" — 9 —
"BPM" — 10 —
"D'ja roulé" — 11 —
"Pour l'argent" — 14 —
"Rose Marthe's Love" — 15 —
"Intro" [QALF] — 16 —
"Fais ça bien"
(feat. Fally Ipupa) 		— 17 —
"Thevie radio" [Interlude] — 23 —
2021 "Σ. Morose" 1 1 9 QALF [∞]
[Digital]
"Π. Vantablack" — 3 26
"Ο. OG" — 13 —
"Ρ. Dose" — 7 —
"Υ. 2 Diamants" — 4 35
"Τ. Chialer"
(feat. YG Pablo) 		— 8 —
"Φ. Thevie Radio" — 10 —
"Ψ. Passion" — 12 —
"Χ. Zwaar" — 16 —
"Ω. Vivre un peu" — 15 —
"Youvoi" — 20 —
2024 "Tout tenter" — 7 — J'ai menti
"Alpha"
(with Angèle) 		— 3 22
"Laisse-moi tranquille" — 3 —
"Schema" 33 7 —
"Limbisa ngai"
(featuring Kalash) 		37 9 47
"Tout tenner"
(with Angèle) 		— 13 —
"Mony"
(with Michkavie) 		— 16 —
"Consequences" — 19 —
"24h plus tot" — 24 —
"La Rue est morte." — 27 —
"Damsautiste" — 37 —

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Belgique – Damso : « Travailler derrière un bureau, ça ne m'intéressait pas » - Jeune Afrique.com". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Damso Biography" (in French). Universal Music.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu "French certifications – Damso" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  4. ^ Par Tonis (24 August 2017). "« Batterie Faible » de Damso est certifié disque de platine !" (in French). Booska. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  5. ^ Albums sales https://genius.com/artists/Damso
  6. ^ "Belgium Drops Rapper from World Cup Song After Sexism Outcry". The New York Times. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  7. ^ "ultratop.be - Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d "ultratop.be - Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Damso". Billboard. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  10. ^ a b c d "lescharts.com - Discographie Damso". lescharts.com. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  11. ^ a b c d "Discographie Damso - hitparade.ch". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  12. ^ a b "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 2019". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  13. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 2021". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  14. ^ "Top Albums (Week 47, 2024)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2019". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  16. ^ a b c "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2021". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  17. ^ "Top Singles (Week 45, 2024)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  18. ^ "Top Singles (Week 47, 2024)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  19. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2017". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  20. ^ a b c d e "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2022". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  21. ^ "French certifications – Angèle – Démons" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  22. ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles (téléchargement + streaming) – SNEP (Week 17, 2017)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  23. ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles (téléchargement + streaming) – SNEP (Week 25, 2018)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
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