Damage: The UK Garage and R&B Hitmakers

Damage is a British R&B and garage vocal group that rose to prominence in the late 1990s. Hailing from London, the quintet achieved significant commercial success with their debut album, which spawned several top ten singles and was certified platinum in the UK.

Early career

The group formed in London in 1995, initially consisting of members Jade Jones, Andrez Harriott, Coreé Richards, Noel Simpson, and Rashean "Rahseed" J. Connell. They were discovered by manager and promoter Naim Cortazzi, who helped them secure a deal with the influential dance and R&B label, Big Life Records, in 1996.

Breakthrough

Damage's breakthrough arrived in 1997 with the release of their debut single, "Love II Love". The track, a smooth blend of R&B harmonies and UK garage rhythms, peaked at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart. This success set the stage for their massively popular debut album, "Forever", released later that same year.

Key tracks

Love II Love — This debut single introduced their signature sound and secured their first UK top ten hit.

Forever — The title track from their platinum-selling album became a defining R&B ballad of the era.

Ghetto Romance — This 2000 single showcased a more mature, soulful direction and reached number 5 in the UK.

Wonderful Tonight — Their cover of the Eric Clapton classic became a staple on UK radio and charted at number 3 in 1998.

After the Love Has Gone — A collaboration with producer Stargate, this track highlighted their international R&B ambitions.

The success of the "Forever" album, which achieved platinum status in the UK, cemented Damage's place at the forefront of the UK's urban music scene. They followed up with their second album, "Since You've Been Gone", in 2000, which included the hit "Ghetto Romance". The group went on hiatus in 2001, allowing members to pursue solo projects, before reuniting for performances and new music in subsequent years.

Fans of Damage's harmonious blend of R&B and UK garage should also explore the work of similar artists. Another Level emerged from the same UK R&B landscape with a comparable chart-friendly style. 5ive shared the same management and era, though with a more pop-oriented boy band approach. Mis-Teeq expertly fused garage and R&B with a dynamic female perspective. Soul II Soul represents an earlier, foundational generation of sophisticated British soul music.

Damage's music maintains a steady presence on radio stations featured on this website. Their classic hits are regularly featured on UK R&B and classic hits FM stations, as well as on dedicated online radio streams focusing on 90s and 2000s urban music. Independent music radio stations with a retro focus often include Damage in their playlists, celebrating their contribution to the UK garage era.

Listeners can discover the music of Damage on radio stations available on onairium.com. Tune in to hear their timeless R&B and garage hits as part of the regular rotation across a variety of featured stations.