Craig David remains a household name, even 24 years after his debut album Born to Do It catapulted him into the spotlight in the early 2000s. With timeless classics like "7 Days" and "Fill Me In," he continues to be a prominent figure in R&B music. As he embarks on tour and discusses new music, Craig reflects on his journey over the years, cherishing the diverse experiences each of his eight albums has brought him. To Craig, every moment throughout his career holds immense value. “As an artist, you realize the things that mattered from the start, which may have been all the chart positions and how many records you can sell. How you want to play on that stage and all those kinds of aspirations that you have. They change along the way because you still love and enjoy those things but what takes priority is the journey as opposed to the destination.”
Before stepping into the spotlight as an artist, Craig David honed his craft while growing up in England's city of Southampton. His journey to stardom began as an emcee for DJ Flash, an experience that shaped his understanding of music and honed his skills as a master of ceremonies, adept at controlling crowds. It was during this time that Craig started collecting vinyl records which he tells EBONY influenced his music today. “I would always buy all the vinyls that were happening predominantly from the States. One because there was great music at that time throughout the 90s, all the way through to the 2000s. It was a golden era of that music for me, R&B and Hip-Hop in particular. To be there for Rodney Jerkins while Darkchild is in full effect. Timberland coming out early doors, then you got Ginuwine, Aaliyah, and Missy hearing 'Rain' on vinyl.”
In this era of social media, there's a deep appreciation for the nostalgia of songs resurfacing from years ago. Whether it's the memory of rushing home to catch TRL or 106 & Park, or the excitement of hearing a favorite tune on your Myspace or Blackplanet page, these songs continue to resonate with us today. For Craig David, his song "7 Days" is a prime example of this current wave, as it continues to connect with people all over since its release in 2000. “Usher is a good example of this, him doing his Vegas residency, and then going off and doing the halftime Super Bowl. It set the tone that you can be a legacy artist, and still put new music out and still be relevant in a time when people are yearning for the classics. '7 Days' gives me that feeling, I'm proud when I go out and sing that song. When someone says wow '7 Days', that's my tune.”
Craig David and Drake have frequently been the subject of such conversations, with fans noting parallels between their music. Both artists possess a knack for blending R&B melodies with hip-hop beats, creating a unique and captivating sound. Given their shared musical sensibilities and the admiration they have for each other's work, a collaboration between Craig David and Drake would be a moment.
“I'm a fan of his music and we've met a few times along the way like we've had very brief moments. He's always shown love. He's always been like how impactful Born to Do It was to him and that makes me feel proud. So yeah, man for the culture, it would be a beautiful thing to collaborate.”
Craig David on meeting Drake
Today, Craig David is gearing up for his "7 Days Commitment” North America Tour set to kick off in May. This tour promises to bring his electrifying performances and iconic hits to fans across North America, giving people a chance to hear their favorite tracks live. “For anyone who's coming, and they're looking for the earlier stuff I'll honor those songs in the way that they were on the record. When I'm on stage, it is always fun. It always feels like it's an energy and I read the crowd, that's the most important because the people have paid their hard-earned money to come and buy a ticket to see me perform and I need to deliver.”
Following the tour, fans can expect new music from Craig David, marking an era he's excited about. With his creative energy at its peak, Craig is eager to share fresh sounds and innovative tracks with his audience, showcasing his evolution as an artist. “I've been working on one tune in particular it's called "Commitment" which for me it's special it feels indigenous ancestral in the way that it sounds and it's very much in my R&B pocket. I don't like to gas up tunes before they come out because you'll be the judge of a tune when you hear it but at the same time going into a new album so that's in the works and that will be dropping.”
