Task 11. Research into Artist

Craig David

Craig DavidIn the space of 3 years, Craig David moved from a hopeful songwriter and DJ, to a UK pop star. When his garage/RnB single “Fill Me In” reached top of the UK chart in 2000, Craig David only 19 at the time became the youngest British solo male artist to accomplish this. Not only that, but Craig David also achieved success in the US, as well as platinum sales in 18 other countries. Although his initial level of popularity was not sustained, he went on to release modern RnB albums every few years.

Early CareerBefore his breakthrough, Craig David was a local radio jock in Southampton and later found himself playing clubs. This enabled him to cross paths with some of England’s up and coming producers. During this time, he linked up with Mark Hill (Artful Dodger), but his first breakthrough came when he won a songwrting competition held by the group Damage, who recorded the track that David submitted “I’m ready”. This was released as a B-side to their 1997 single “Wonderful Tonight”. Two years later, Artful Dodger wrote the hit single “Rewind”, for which Craig David provided the lead vocal. The song went to number two on the UK pop chart.

Early CareerCraig David’s first proper solo single “Fill Me In” was released in April 2000. The song went to number one and propelled the sales for his debut album “Born to Do it” which was released four months later. A deal with Atlantic enabled worldwide sales of over 3 million and helped take UK garage beyond a national phenomenon. That year Craig David won 3 MOBO awards, however was snubbed in all 6 of the Brit Award categories for which he was nominated. In 2001, he collected another MOBO for Best UK act, as well as 3 Ivor Novello awards.

Career Continued “Slicker Than Your Average”, a slightly more determined album, was released as Craig David’s second album in November 2002. It was always going to be impossible to match the popularity and success of “Born to Do it”, but the album’s first 4 singles all reached the UK top 10. The album reached gold sales in the US. Almost 3 years passed until the release of his 3rd album “The Story Goes”. This featured a top 5 UK single in “All The Way”, but the album wasn’t released in the states. His 4th album “Trust Me” was released in 2007 and was more upbeat and was led by David’s top 10 sampling of David Bowies “Let’s Dance” called “Hot Stuff” and the Kano collaboration “This is the Girl”. The next year, Craig David’s accomplishments were marked not only by a “Greatest Hits” compilation, but by an honorary doctorate awarded by Southampton Solent University.

Career TodayIn 2010, Craig David released the covers album “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” which acknowledged the influence of Motown artists on his work. Following a run of international tour dates and charity work, David next began to focus on new material once again. He issued collaborations with Subliminal Records owner Erick Morillo and the house duo Stereo Palma. In 2013, David appeared on the judging panel and performed of the TV show South African Idol. By this time, David had also started to host exclusive parties at his home in Miami. The sets he performed would soon develop into a weekly placement on radio station Capital Xtra. The period also featured a world tour, as well as sessions for his sixth studio album. The first singles released from that set, titled “Following My Intuition” were issued in late 2015 and early 2016. “When the Bassline Drops” reached number 10 in the UK chart and featured Big Narstie. “Nothing Like This” was produced by Blonde and went Top 20.

Following my IntuitionOctober 2016 saw the release of “Following My Intuition”. The album instantly worked its way up to number one and as of today (05/10/16), if the album remains in that position until the chart is released on Friday (October 7), it will mark his first chart-topping record in 16 years.

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