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One extraordinary aspect of the remarkable success of
Craig David has been the love
and respect he's received from his fellow artists. Among Craig's fans
are a wide range of pop music's best and brightest, from Jennifer Lopez
and Missy Elliot, to
Elton John and Bono, who added a verse from David's
hit "Walking Away" into his performance of U2's classic "One" at 2002's
Brit Awards ceremony.
"As an artist, it blew my mind what Bono did," Craig says humbly, "but
more importantly, it showed me that I have to keep doing what I'm doing
and not stray from my path."
With so many gifted friends from which to choose, Craig David decided to take the
opportunity to join forces with one of his favorite artists. As he
explains, "Collaborations need to be special, which is why the only
other artist on the album is Gordon Sumner, better known to the world as
Sting."
"Rise and Fall" is built around the haunting melody of
Sting's 1993 hit,
"Shape Of My Heart." While David's original intent was to simply
incorporate a sample from the original track, Sting opted to lend his
vocal services to the new recording.
"It was one of the most surreal moments of my life," David recalls of
the session. "I couldn't believe that I was on one side of the mixing
desk and Sting was on the other and we were discussing how to interpret
the song."
Introspective yet irresistible, "Rise and Fall" sees the legendary
Sting
offering encouragement and guidance to David on the perils and pitfalls
of stardom and celebrity.
"Sting comes in on the track as my peer," says David, "He's actually
telling me, 'Watch it, I've had success and I can see what it can do.
Remember who you are.'"
That's sound advice for an young artist who has been on a remarkable journey, going from Southampton housing estate to
full-fledged international pop phenomenon. At the tender age of 18,
Craig David became the youngest-ever British male artist to achieve a Number
One single when "Fill Me In" topped the UK chart back in March 2000.
His debut album, "Born
To Do It," went on to become one of 2001's most
popular and acclaimed releases, with sales now exceeding more than 7
million worldwide, garnering gold, platinum and multi-platinum status in
over 20 countries. The album – which has sold more than 1.5 million in
the US alone, spending more than 60 weeks on the Billboard 200 –
featured two Top 10 singles in "Fill Me In" and "7 Days," plus a top 20
smash with "Walking Away."
Craig
David – who was featured on the covers of Vibe and Teen People's annual
"What's Next" issue – made a variety of high-profile TV appearances
supporting "Born
To Do It," along with countless radio festival
performances and a critically praised SRO coast-to-coast tour.
Craig
David has also racked up a stunning assortment of awards and nominations
– including a 2001 Grammy nod for "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance," and
a pair of MTV Europe Video Music Awards for "Best R&B Act" and "Best
U.K. Act." Among his many triumphs, the "Fill Me In" video earned David
two trophies at 2001's Billboard Music Video Awards: "Best Dance New
Artist Clip" and "Best R&B New Artist Clip."
Notable songs include --
- 7 Days
- Woman Trouble
- Re-Rewind
- Rewind
- Fill Me In
- Walking Away
- What You Gonna Do?
- Rendezvous
- Once in a Lifetime
- You Know What
Craig David may be available for your next special event!
For booking information, click
HERE!
Genre: ..R&B
Styles:
..2-Step/British Garage
..Contemporary R&B
..Garage/House
..Club/DanceYears active:
..90s, ..00s
Born:
May 5, 1981
..in the U.K.
..in England
..in
Southampton
Based:
..in the U.K.
..in London
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