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Craig David
Craig David
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R&B sensation Craig David was barely out of his teens when he took a hold of the U.K. pop circuit, twisted it around, and threw it back on its bum during fall 2000. This fresh-faced native of Southampton, England, was merely playing into his love of funkadelic hip-hop and crooning urban stylings when he started writing songs as a teenager. His love for Terence Trent D'Arby, Sisqo, and Donnell Jones allowed him to put his creative love for art, culture, and history into a musical beat all his own. And the new millennium belonged to him and garage had been redefined.

Born Craig Ashley David on May 5, 1981, David was slicing and dicing ragga and R&B on the local station PCRS 106.5FM and found himself playing club gigs prior to rubbing elbows with some of music's finest. It was during this time he hooked with Artful Dodger's Mark Hill. After winning a national writing competition, Craig was more than ready to start producing with Hill. His big break came when he put his own additives on Damage's "I'm Ready," a B-side to "Wonderful Tonight." Soon thereafter he remixed his own version of Human League's "Human" and started himself a regular spot in area clubs during the weekends. "Rewind" was another underground smash, specifically a definitive move for David. His respect for Stevie Wonder, Faith Evans, and R. Kelly was most apparent, however his own vocal talent was beginning to shine. He and Hill's specialty show on Capital Radio provided another outlet for David to shape his musical work of genius. "Fill Me In" proved yet another hit, shooting straight to number one in summer 2000. David was now the youngest British male solo artist to have a number one single. He was 19-years-old.

A deal with Wildstar Records in the U.K. sparked toward the end of the summer as "Re-Rewind" and "7 Days" gained praise in late November. A stateside agreement with Atlantic also led to more global hype. He had sold 3.5 million records worldwide and garage was finally becoming massive overseas and it was David's debut Born to Do It that was at the head.

But not all were pulling for this R&B prodigy. Aside from winning three awards at the MOBO's in October, Craig David walked away empty handed at the 2000 Brit Awards in February 2001. He was up for six nominations, including Best British Male Solo Artist, Best British Newcomer, and Best British Single for "7 Days," but industry politics fell into operation. Many mainstream stars came to David's defense, artists such as Elton John, U2, and Robbie Williams, professing their disgust for the ill recognition for David and his musical efforts in the past year. Death threats soon followed for the superstar in spring 2001 as he took the stage in a show in London. An anonymous caller claimed a soldier would injure David with tear gas and hand grenades. Still, his record sales continued to soar in the U.K. with sales of Born to Do It increasing over 100 percent after his dismal beginning months of 2001. He bombared American Shores with a deal with Atlantic and released Born to Do It stateside in summer 2001. Mainstream radio flocked to him immediately. Missy Elliott, Beyoncé Knowles, and Usher called themselves fans.

The next year, things didn't simmer down for the now international pop star. Craig David returned with a sophomore effort Slicker Than Your Average in November 2002. This particular album saw a much grittier side from David. Debut single "What's Your Flava?" also became one of the year's hottest singles. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music GuideMore

Official Profile

Craig David
Craig David was born in Southampton to a Grenadian father and a Jewish-English mother and attended B...
Songs: 82, Videos: 11, Playlists: 6, Blog Posts: 1, Polls: 0, Battles: 0

Most Popular Music Videos (1)

Insomnia
(Duration: 3:24)
Mar 14th, 3:05am
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Fan Comments

Sep 29th, 11:20pm
I was shocked to see out of all the artist who are on my play-list in America YOU have 9 million plus views. It is nice to know that there are other people out there with enough sense to love what you do. I actually thought I was crazy. Soldier on brotha! Drop an album in the US please!
Sep 18th, 3:19am
ive always been a fan of you...kip up the gud songs...luv yah...mwaaahhh
Jul 18th, 3:51am
familywave FM. love u.
Jul 17th, 5:44am
Jul 16th, 3:21am
hi craig insomnia get my brain drain
insomnia is absolutely electrifiying
Jun 6th, 10:15pm
Craig David's "Just my imagination" is getting high-rotation airplay (4-5 plays a day) on "Radio Creme Brulee" - a Boston-based internet music radio station that features current pop/rock music from both sides of the Atlantic alongside guilty pleasures, forgotten gems, and radio hits from the 80s, 90s, and the 00s. To listen, log on to http://www.radiocremebrulee.com . Nice song but not a favorite.
Jun 6th, 11:28am
yehh.....luv it

grant igancio
May 7th, 1:31pm
aloha! great music... luv it!
May 4th, 5:35am Last edited May 4th, 5:35am.
Hello! Had a great week?
May 1st, 11:29am
hi.. craig... i know u cant read this comment of mine to you, coz ur a busy person.. i just wish that someday when ur not busy and u read this. .. i just want to say that i am 1 of your million fans here in the philippines..i really really love ur song.. but due to some crisis..(lol)problem. i cant buy all of your album but most of ur song or album .. i have... so! more power more songs and more blessing to come for you.. hope u can read this msg of mine to you.. love yah!!