Craig Ashley David MBE (born May 5, 1981) is a British singer, songwriter, rapper, DJ, and record producer who rose to prominence in the late 1990s. Born in Southampton, England, to Tina, a retail assistant, and George David, a carpenter, Craig’s early exposure to music came through his father’s reggae band. He began his musical journey as a DJ and MC in Southampton, eventually gaining recognition by featuring on the Artful Dodger’s 1999 hit “Re-Rewind.”
In 2000, Craig released his debut studio album, Born to Do It, which achieved critical and commercial success, selling over seven million copies worldwide. The album included hit singles like “Fill Me In” and “7 Days,” with the latter reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart and peaking at number ten on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Throughout his career, Craig has released several albums, including Slicker Than Your Average (2002), The Story Goes… (2005), Trust Me (2007), Signed Sealed Delivered (2010), Following My Intuition (2016), The Time Is Now (2018), and 22 (2022). His ninth studio album, Commitment, is scheduled for release on August 8, 2025, featuring collaborations with artists like Tiwa Savage and JoJo.
Craig’s career experienced a resurgence in the mid-2010s with his TS5 project, blending DJing, MCing, and live vocals, leading to renewed popularity and performances at major festivals like Glastonbury. In recognition of his contributions to music, he was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours.
Over the years, Craig David has been nominated for numerous awards, including 14 Brit Awards and two Grammy Awards, and has won five MOBO Awards and two MTV Europe Music Awards. His enduring influence on the UK music scene is marked by his ability to adapt and evolve, maintaining relevance across decades.
