Research into artist

1. Task 11. Research into
Artist
Craig David

2. Craig David
In 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.

4. Early Career
Before 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.

5. Early Career
Craig 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.

6. 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.

8. Career Today
In 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.

11. Following my Intuition
October 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.

12. Moodboard