Craig David

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Craig David
Craig David.jpg
David performing in Gran Canaria, 2009
Background information
Birth name Craig Ashley David
Born (1981-05-05) 5 May 1981 (age 42)
Southampton, Hampshire, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
Years active 1999–present
Labels
Website craigdavid.com

Craig Ashley David (born 5 May 1981) is an English singer-songwriter who rose to fame in 1999 featuring on the single "Re-Rewind" by Artful Dodger. David's debut album, Born to Do It, was released in 2000, after which he has released a further five studio albums and worked with a variety of artists such as Tinchy Stryder, Kano, Jay Sean, Rita Ora and Sting. David has 17 UK Top 50 singles, and six UK Top 20 albums, selling over 13 million records worldwide as a solo artist.

David has been nominated for twelve Brit Awards: three times for Best British Male, and twice received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.[1][2][3]

Early life

David was born in Southampton, Hampshire,[4] the son of Tina (née Loftus), a retail assistant at Superdrug, and George David, a carpenter,[5][6] and grew up in the Holyrood estate.[7] David's father is Afro-Grenadian and David's mother is Anglo-Jewish and related to the founders of the Accurist watch-making company; David's maternal grandfather was an Orthodox Jew and his maternal grandmother a convert to Judaism.[8] David's parents separated when he was eight and he was raised by his mother.[9] He attended Bellemoor School and Southampton City College.

David's father played bass in a reggae band called Ebony Rockers. As a teen, David began accompanying his father to local dance clubs, where DJs let him take the microphone.

Career

David's earliest exposure came when he worked on a B-side to British group Damage's cover of "Wonderful Tonight". He then started doing vocals for a few tracks with garage act Artful Dodger.

Wildstar Records first became aware of David when the artist's then manager Paul Widger met the label's co-owner Colin Lester and played some of his music.[10] Lester later told HitQuarters that he was particularly impressed by the first song he heard, "Walking Away", saying "That was an absolute stand out ... It struck me that any seventeen year-old that could write a song like this had huge potential."[10] The Wildstar boss was further won over when, on later visiting the artist's home in Southampton, he found that David's tiny bedroom stacked from floor to ceiling with 12" vinyl records, commenting: "That convinced me he was the real deal and not just some kid acting out the part."[10] At that point Lester offered him a development deal with his label. When Lester later heard the song "7 Days", he said he immediately heard a number-one record and promoted the contract to an album deal the same day.[10]

2000–03: Born to Do It and Slicker Than Your Average

The song "Re-Rewind (The Crowd Say Bo Selecta)", from the Artful Dodger album It's All About the Stragglers, hit number two on the UK charts in 1999; thus, paving the way for a solo career. David's first single, "Fill Me In", released on Colin Lester's and Ian McAndrew's Wildstar Records, topped the UK chart and was the first of a string of four Top 10 singles from his debut album Born to Do It, which eventually sold more than 8 million copies worldwide, earning multi-platinum status in more than 20 countries.[11][12] The song "Key To My Heart", taken from the US version of the album, was also featured on the award-winning Warner Bros. animated film Osmosis Jones.

The success of David's debut, which was written almost entirely by David and Mark Hill of Artful Dodger, led to the United States release of "Fill Me In" in May 2001. It reached number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Born to Do It was released in the United States on 17 July 2001, peaking at number 11 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 1 million copies. The single "7 Days" hit the Top 10 in the U.S.; although "Walking Away", which had reached number 3 in the UK and number 5 in Australia, missed the Top 40 in the U.S. and was the last of his singles to chart there.

In April 2009, MTV viewers voted Born to Do It as number 2 on their "Greatest Album of All-Time" poll, behind Michael Jackson's Thriller.[13]

The follow-up album, Slicker Than Your Average, was released in 2002. The album's first four singles continued David's streak of Top 10 hits in the UK, bringing a total of nine consecutive Top 10 hits until "World Filled with Love" peaked at Number 15 in 2003. None of the six singles released from the album charted in the U.S.. Although "What's Your Flava?" and "Rise and Fall" (duet with Sting) received airplay on the Urban Contemporary and Soft AC formats, they did not make the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Tracks chart or the Adult Contemporary chart. However, "What's Your Flava?" made the Rhythmic Top 40 (Number 32), Top 40 Mainstream (Number 24) and the Top 40 Tracks (number 37). According to the RIAA Slicker Than Your Average reached Gold Status in the U.S..

David also commented that the album title could be looked at in two different ways: "On the one hand, it's coming across like I'm arrogant. On the other hand, it's saying I have a lot more composure on the album." "[14]

The album was leaked onto the internet prior to its official release but David was not too bothered as he feels it "spreads the word".

2005–08: The Story Goes... and Trust Me

Live at Somerset House in London (2005)

David later signed on with Warner Music and put together his third album, The Story Goes..., which was released worldwide in August 2005 (excluding the U.S. where it was never released). The first single, "All the Way", returned him to the Top 3. The second single, "Don't Love You No More (I'm Sorry)", tied with "7 Days" as his longest running single in the charts since "Re-Rewind", spending 15 weeks inside the UK Top 75. The album's third single, "Unbelievable", debuted at Number 18 in March 2006.

In 2007, David collaborated with UK rapper Kano on his album London Town, for the single "This is the Girl". The track was released on 27 August 2007 and debuted at Number 18 on the UK charts.

The first single "Hot Stuff" from his album Trust Me, was released on 5 November 2007 . The single was a top ten hit, whilst the album charted at Number 18 on the UK Albums Chart. "6 of 1 Thing", the second single to be taken from Trust Me, charted at number 39 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming his third-lowest charting single to date.

"Officially Yours" was released on 23 June 2008 and peaked at Number 158 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming his lowest-charting single to date and was the final single from Trust Me. In July, a new track titled "Are You Up for This" started receiving airplay on various radio stations as part of a promo with Ice Cream Records, which also featured a remix with Witty Boy called "Nutter Butter". On 17 August, David performed at a birthday tribute concert for songwriter Don Black at the London Palladium. He performed the song "Ben", originally a hit for Michael Jackson.

David took part in Soccer Aid 2008 at Wembley Stadium on 7 September 2008. He picked up the "Man of The Match" award on the night and played in the same England side as ex-internationals such as Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham and David Seaman, and played against the likes of Romário, Paolo Di Canio, Jaap Stam, and Luís Figo. David received two 2008 UK Urban Music Award nominations for Best Album with Trust Me and Best R&B Act.[15] On 7 November, David was recognised for his contribution to the music industry by receiving an honorary degree of Doctor of Music, from Southampton Solent University at a graduation ceremony held at Southampton Guildhall.[16]

2008–09: Greatest Hits

Live in Madrid (12 December 2008)

David released his first Greatest Hits album on 24 November 2008. In support of the release, David released two singles to promote the album. "Where's Your Love" featuring Tinchy Stryder and Rita Ora, a homage to his UK garage days, was digitally released on 10 November 2008. The second single, "Insomnia", produced by Jim Beanz from Timbaland productions, a dance track with hard bassline beats, was released the following week on 17 November 2008. Toby Gad and Eimear Crombie provided backup vocals and instrumental stylings. David also started working with guitarist and recording engineer Kwame Yeboah, both live and in the studio.

On 29 December, a new mix of "Insomnia", titled "Up All Night Mix", was made available for digital download. As part of the Greatest Hits compilation, David re-recorded "Walking Away" with four different artists across Europe, Monrose from Germany, Nek from Italy, Lynnsha from France and Alex Ubago from Spain. The album debuted at Number 48 on the UK Albums Chart. From February to April 2009, David toured Russia, the Far East and performed one show in Los Angeles as part of a Greatest Hits tour. He met fans at a meet and greet session at Singapore Changi Airport before his show.[17]

In April 2009, Born to Do It came second in a poll by MTV UK for the Greatest Album ever, which received over 40,000 votes, beaten by Michael Jackson's album Thriller.[18] On 14 May 2009, David participated in the Hillsborough Memorial football match at Anfield. On 26 July 2009, David participated in the Sir Bobby Robson Trophy match at St. James' Park, playing alongside boyhood hero Alan Shearer.

2009–10: New label and Signed Sealed Delivered

On Friday 18 September 2009 fans got the first taste of the new album with an exclusive demo posted on his official website, a thirty-second snippet covering Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours". On 2 October, David revealed to his fans via Twitter and his website that he had signed a new record deal with Universal.[19] The UK edition of Jay Sean's new album All or Nothing which was released on 30 November 2009 features David on a track entitled "Stuck in the Middle". David performed a bold new cover of "I Wan'na Be Like You (The Monkey Song)" from Walt Disney's 1967 film The Jungle Book on the ITV programme Ultimate Movie Toons, broadcast 28 March 2010. The first single from David's fifth studio album Signed Sealed Delivered was "One More Lie (Standing in the Shadows)" and it was released in the UK on 22 March 2010 where it made No.76[20] with the album following one week later on 29 March 2010, which entered the UK chart at number 13.

On 17 March 2010 David released a Garage compilation album titled Rewind Old Skool Classics mixed with DJ Spoony featuring some of their favourite UK Garage hits from the last ten years.[21]

Two weeks later on 31 May 2010, the second single to be taken from Signed Sealed Delivered, titled "All Alone Tonight (Stop, Look, Listen)" will be released. The chorus of the single samples The Stylistics' hit "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)" but features completely new verses. In the weeks leading up to the release BBC Radio Two have backed the single by naming it their 'Record of the Week' and adding it to their 'A-List'. On 20 May 2010 David appeared as a co-host on The Morning Show in Australia alongside Kylie Gillies, whilst regular male presenter Larry Emdur was on holiday. On 27 August 2010 Swiss DJ Remady is releasing an album titled "No Superstar" on which David features on the House/Dance track "Do It On My Own".[22] David was nominated for 'Best Video' at the 2010 Urban Music Awards for the song "One More Lie (Standing in the Shadows)". The 2010 Sunday Times Rich List indicated that Craig David is worth £8 million.

2011–13: Collaborations, new material and TS5 launch

David revealed on Twitter[when?] that he has worked with producer Jim Beanz on material for his new album. He also tweeted about working with August Rigo and more recently Fraser T Smith. Whilst doing a show in Russia, David confirmed he had left Universal Records and hopes to release his new album in America as well as the UK.[23] In February 2011 David agreed to do a desert trek for Comic Relief as part of Red Nose Day 2011. A host of celebrities including Dermot O'Leary, Olly Murs and Lorraine Kelly treked 100 kilometres across a Kenyan desert to raise money for preventable blindness across Africa.[24]

In May 2011 David made a guest appearance on NRJ12's French reality TV show Les Anges 2 where he offered advice to contestants trying to make a life in Miami. Released on 1 August 2011, David features on Erick Morillo's new mix CD Subliminal Invasion on a track titled "Fly Away".[25] David performed at the Michael Jackson tribute concert, held in Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium on 8 October 2011.[26]

Further to their earlier collaboration, David and Erick Morillo also canvassed a promotional track to DJ's and radio stations titled "Get Drunk Up" and also featured it on YouTube. Morillo revealed David will appear on a project with Harry Romero and José Nunez, which will feature a remix of the track.[27] In December, he featured on the Blackout Mode dance track "Freak on the Dancefloor" that appeared on the compilation album R&B Collection 2012. Details of David's upcoming album are still unknown, however he has hinted on Twitter that it would be released in 2012.

In 2012, David has featured on a number of tracks whilst recording his own album, including releases with Stereo Palma titled "Our Love" and a collaboration with Mohombi and DJ Asaad titled "Addicted".

In July 2012, it was revealed David is writing with Backstreet Boys on their 20th anniversary album, the follow-up to their 2009 album "This Is Us" and the first they will have released since the return of Kevin Richardson who departed from the band in 2005.

David announced on Twitter in late July 2012 that he will be releasing his new album accompanied by a world tour in 2013. He has since announced on the social networking site that he has been recording songs with Anthony Marshall, formally of production duo 'Ignorants' who remixed and produced various songs for David early in his career.

Jasmine Villegas also tweeted David regarding working on a record with Ryan Leslie but it remains to be seen who's project it is for.[28]

David hosts and DJs his own party at his penthouse in Miami every Sunday, that have become known as TS5 and he began uploading the sets to SoundCloud. Off the back of this he has teamed up with Kiss FM UK to broadcast the live DJ sets every Sunday at 11pm, starting 11 November 2012.[29]

In January 2013 David announced on Twitter that he had signed a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG).[30] The deal sees David's publishing company, formally known as Bootyman Music Publishing merge to become JEM Music. The company will aim to sign new and existing artists catalogues worldwide and include all David's future works.

Starting in March 2013, David embarked on a world tour starting with three shows across Australia, followed by four in Europe (France, Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands) and finally finishing in May with four shows in England (Birmingham, Manchester, Southampton and London). In September 2013, Capital FM announced that David's DJ show 'TS5' would be moving to Capital Xtra every Friday evening from 10pm.[31]

2014–present: Following My Intuition

On 2 July 2014 David previewed a teaser track titled "Cold" on his official SoundCloud page.[32] Premiering it on his TS5 radio show the week before, he wanted to preview some of the new music he has been working on in anticipation of his long-awaited sixth studio album, which is yet to be officially titled or have a release date announced. A further teaser track titled "Seduction" was uploaded to the same SoundCloud page in September 2014.

On 5 September 2015, David featured on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge with Sigala where they covered Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth's "See You Again" mixed with the Little Mix track "Black Magic".[33] The following week, on 10 September 2015, David appeared on Kurupt FM's 'Sixty Minute Takeover' on BBC Radio 1Xtra with MistaJam. He performed "Fill Me In" over the track "Where Are Ü Now" and it became a viral internet hit. [34] Two snippets of potential new album tracks were also played on the night and this 1Xtra appearance led to David making surpise performances of the "Fill Me In"/"Where Are Ü Now" remix at Fabric with Kurupt FM and Alexandra Palace with Major Lazer and Diplo.

It was later revealed that the Radio 1Xtra appearance led to a collaboration between David and Big Narstie who also featured on the show and the track they recorded titled "When the Bassline Drops" was played on MistaJam's BBC Radio 1 & BBC Radio 1Xtra show on 7 November 2015, it was later revealed the track is to be released under SpeakerBox/JEM on 27 November 2015.[35] "When the Bassline Drops" debuted at number 50 in the UK and brought David back to the Top 50 for the first time since 2008. David made a surprise appearance on The X Factor on 13 December 2015, where he performed his breakthrough single "Re-Rewind" during a medley with Reggie 'n' Bollie and Fuse ODG. David is expected to release new album Following My Intuition in 2016.

Personal life and activism

David considers himself Jewish, and keeps up with Jewish traditions and holidays.[36]

On 24 March 2010 (World Tuberculosis Day), the World Health Organization appointed Craig David as a Goodwill Ambassador against tuberculosis. His first activity in this role was to travel to South Africa to learn more about tuberculosis, where he met people suffering from the disease or having recovered from it, and scientists who have dedicated their lives to fighting tuberculosis. Craig stated that his mission is to help overcome the social stigma of TB in order to beat the disease.[37]

Caricaturisation on Bo' Selecta!

File:CraigDavidBoSelecta.png
Comedian Leigh Francis as "Craig David" in Bo' Selecta, with his (pretend) peregrine falcon, Kes

David was frequently caricatured by comedian Leigh Francis on the British TV comedy show Bo' Selecta!; the show's title itself being a reference to his song "Re-Rewind (The Crowd Say Bo Selecta)". Although many other celebrities lampooned in the series appreciated the jokes and even appeared in the series themselves, David—the series' most prominently mocked target—did not enjoy the attention, remarking that the public were no longer taking him seriously.[38][39] Speaking to The Sunday Times in 2007, David confessed that "The whole Bo' Selecta! thing was killing me for a while because this idiot had a cult following and I was the main caricature. ... Inside it was absolutely pissing me off and hurtful beyond belief. There were times when I thought I just want to knock this guy out".[40]

Although he made an appearance himself on the programme (as the pseudo-fictional "Craig Davis"),[41] he regretted it even as he was making it: "I didn't want people to think, 'Craig's reacting to it', because then they would think, 'how can we get up Craig's nose even more?' So I did it, but I wasn't happy about it".[40] In 2010, he further commented on his bitterness towards Francis' impersonations of him: "What upset me was that it made people ridicule 'Rewind'. It should make people think about the garage scene, not some guy with a stupid rubber mask. I've got nothing to say to Leigh. He's not picking up awards or anything is he?"[42] However, he has also denied that his career had been ruined as a result of the show, and has said that he was satisfied with his musical output over the years.[43][44]

Discography

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

Main article: Craig David discography
Studio albums
Compilation albums

Awards and nominations

  • BET Awards
    • 2002: Best R&B Male Artist (Nominated)
    • 2002: Best New Artist (Nominated)
  • BRIT Awards
    • 2006: Best British Urban Act (Nominated)
    • 2003: Best British Urban Act (Nominated)
    • 2003: Best British Male Solo Artist (Nominated)
    • 2002: Best British Album: Born to Do It (Nominated)
    • 2002: Best British Dance Act (Nominated)
    • 2002: Best British Male Solo Artist (Nominated)
    • 2001: Best British Album: Born to Do It (Nominated)
    • 2001: Best British Dance Act (Nominated)
    • 2001: Best British Male Solo Artist (Nominated)
    • 2001: Best British Newcomer (Nominated)
    • 2001: Best British Single: "7 Days" (Nominated)
    • 2001: Best British Video: "7 Days" (Nominated)
  • Goldene Kamera
    • 2004: Pop International
  • Grammy Awards
    • 2003: Best Male Pop Vocal Performance: "7 Days" (Nominated)
    • 2002: Best Male Pop Vocal Performance: "Fill Me In" (Nominated)
  • Ivor Novello Awards
    • 2001: Best Contemporary Song: "7 Days"
    • 2001: Best Dance Single Award: "Woman Trouble", shared with Robbie Craig and Artful Dodger
    • 2001: Songwriter Of The Year, shared with Mark Hill
  • MOBO Awards
    • 2001: Best UK Act
    • 2001: Best R&B Act (Nominated)
    • 2001: Best Album: Born to Do It (Nominated)
    • 2000: Best R&B Act
    • 2000: Best UK Newcomer
    • 2000: Best UK Single of the Year: "Fill Me In"
    • 2000: Best Video: "7 Days" (Nominated)
    • 2000: Best UK Single of the Year: "Woman Trouble" (Nominated), shared with Robbie Craig and Artful Dodger
  • MTV Europe Awards
    • 2001: Best Male (Nominated)
    • 2001: Best New Act (Nominated)
    • 2001: Best R&B Act
    • 2001: Best UK & Ireland Act
  • MTV Video Music Awards
    • 2002: Best Male Video: "Walking Away" (Nominated)
    • 2001: MTV2 Award: "Fill Me In" (Nominated)
  • MTV Video Music Awards Japan
    • 2006: Best R&B Video: "All The Way" (Nominated)
    • 2003: Best Male Video: "What's Your Flava?"
  • Radio Music Awards
    • 2001: Most Requested Song: "Fill Me In" (Nominated)
  • Urban Music Awards
    • 2010: Best Video: "One More Lie (Standing In The Shadows)" (Nominated)
  • Other awards and honors

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Babatunde (2010-03-19). "Craig David: The Interview!". MTV. Archived from the original on 2010-10-11. Retrieved 2012-06-05.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Craig David Biography musicianguide.com
  12. ↑ Billboard.com - Artist Chart History - Craig David
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Fletcher, Alex (2007-11-16). "David: 'Bo' Selecta!' was killing me". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  39. ↑ "Craig David's least Avid fan". The Sun. News Group Newspapers. 2007-11-24. Retrieved 2012-05-30.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Iley, Chrissy (2007-11-04). "Craig David: no laughing matter". The Sunday Times. Times Newspapers. Archived from the original on 2008-09-17. Retrieved 2012-05-30.
  41. ↑ "Craig Davis: The Ultimate Tribute Act". Bo' Selecta!. Episode 8. Series 2. 2003-07-25. 2:53 minutes in. Channel 4. Retrieved 2012-06-04.
  42. ↑ "Bo' Selecta feud reignited". The Sun. News Group Newspapers. 2010-03-16. Retrieved 2010-03-16.
  43. ↑ McNulty, Bernadette (2008-06-19). "Craig David: why I had to put the ridicule behind me". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  44. ↑ Nissim, Mayer (2010-03-17). "David: 'Bo' Selecta! didn't ruin career'". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Craig_David&oldid=1114965"