Ria Boss preaches self-love and body positivity on Damn!
“She everything you right,” Ria Boss sings on “Damn,” the fourth song from her debut live album, Remember. The classic funk song calls on women to appreciate themselves and be confident in their bodies. It features Ghana-based Cameroonian singer T’neeya, who starts her verse in French before switching to English. In addition to its inspirational message, the song’s tempo makes it the perfect jam for a Karaoke session and a 90s and disco-themed party.
Despite being uptempo with bright lyrics, “Damn” comes from a place of shame, disdain, and abjection. It is Ria Boss’ self letter after dealing with body insecurities as a teenager. “I spent a large chunk of my teen life and my young adult life ashamed of being plus sized,” she said. Ria Boss recalled a time in her life when she mostly saw beauty through the eyes of conventional beauty standards. She described that world as “ridiculously fatphobic, it’s disgusting.”
After a self-evaluation, Ria Boss is a transformed person, confident about her body. ” I realized I am beautiful, just as I am, my size did not determine my worth, and my beauty is uniquely mine. It took me getting to know myself on a deeper level, looking at myself in the mirror, and affirming myself. Recognizing this beautifully crafted body is one of one, and instead of being ashamed, I should look in wonder at how my body keeps me alive, keeps me strong, and is wonderfully made.”
With her new mindset, Ria Boss wrote “Damn” for women to make them feel good about themselves. It is a reminder to her to feel good about her physical features and herself as a woman and person. Ria Boss believes women are creators of life and need to be celebrated and appreciated. “Woman is strength, resilience, softness, intimacy, sensuality, and power,” she added.
Aside from its meaning, bright lyrics, and danceable beat, the feature and introduction of “Damn” are notable. Ghanaian producer EDWVN worked on the instrumentals before its live arrangement by Ghanaian band, The Musical Lunatics and NiiQuaye Aryee, Ria’s musical director. “Damn” features a guest verse from T’neeya, who Ria Boss described as “brilliant.” “I knew for a girl power self-love anthem, it had to be her,” Ria said about working with T’neeya.
Damn is a song off Remember, Ria Boss’ debut album after a two-year hiatus. It was released on April 29 with all songs recorded live. Consisting of 11 songs, Remember features Ghanaian rappers Joey B and Ko-Jo Cue.
Connect With Ria Boss
Twitter: @theriaboss
Instagram: @theriaboss
Connect With Ella Okunmwendia
Twitter: @EllaOkunmwendia
Instagram: @ellaokunmwendia
