Artist: Craig David

After nearly 10 years in the game Craig David is set to ‘rewind’ time as he releases his Greatest Hits compilation. RWD caught up with the man himself so that he could fill us in on his career and his relationship with his dad, as well as ‘that’ Giggs freestyle… words and video interview by Rajveer Kathwadia



So Craig, Greatest Hits time already?
Time’s gone very, very quickly. One minute you’re in the studio with the Artful Dodger making a banger called Rewind, and the next you're looking back nearly 10 years on. It’s been an amazing rollercoaster ride and I’m still only 27.

You started with UKG before moving onto pop/R&B and now grime/ bassline. What’s up with that?
I could have lived and died with 2-Step cos when it evolved into grime, I could have been left on the side - they didn’t want a singer to spit some melodic vocals. But it was always ok for me to do something more mainstream, cos I’m as much a fan of Biggie as I am of Sting. It’s about how long you can stay in the game, not just if you have the big hit.

What made you wanna jump on Giggs’ Talking The Hardest beat?
Firstly I have to say Giggs killed it on that track, but for me it was just a case of me putting my little flex on it. I’m not trying to go hard on the track in the same way he is. But I didn’t expect it to get the response that it did. I know some people will be like ‘Craig, you can’t jump on that track,’ but I had the front to do it and also I’m just giving props to Giggs.

The World’s Best Dad Awards (worldsbestdadawards.com) has just been launched. Would you enter your dad?
Yeah definitely. He’s been wicked. He might not be sleeping in the same house, but he was a good man. He got me playing guitar, he allowed me to be in the clubs when I was 15 years old DJing when I should have been at home in bed getting ready for my exams! And he still continues to be a support.

QUESTIONS FROM RWDMAG.COM:

Charlie01: Has your dad’s influence helped your career?
The fact that I had a good father figure gave me the responsibility as a son to do him proud. Even him looking at me was enough to make me cry! If there’s not authority then a kid will just run riot.

Edita: Have you thought about having your own kids?
You’re always thinking about how it would feel and the responsibilities you would have. In my early 20’s, every time you had a sexual conquest with someone it’s always in the back of your mind, no matter how safe you are. Being a father figure is just something you have to be ready for, no matter what cos you can’t run away from your responsibilities.

Nick: When you have kids, are you gonna give them weird celebrity names?
I tell you for sure that when I do have children, their names will be ones that will get them through school nicely cos I know if you get a funky name... I know how it was at school, so I don’t wanna put my kid in that position cos they’ll have enough things to deal with! So names will be thought out correctly.

To see the filmed version of this interview, go to Dads-Space.com where you’ll also find help, guidance and info on being a young dad. Craig’s Greatest Hits is out November 24. Craigdavid.co.uk

RWD Magazine

MySpace.com/craigdavid

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