How Craig David made the comeback of the year
It's 1 January 2016, you're imagining what lies ahead for the year and, oh my, what a year it'll turn out to be - constant surprises in all fields of our lives.
We'll leave the politics out and think of music, specifically comebacks, of which there have been many. James Arthur going to No.1 in the singles chart? You probably wouldn't have guessed that in January. The old guard like Paul Simon topping the album charts? Ditto. And the 80s made a comeback this year as well, not least when Rick Astley's eighth album, 50, released in June, made it all the way to the summit of the album chart, too.
And then there's the not-so-small matter of Craig David's return. As he declared with his debut album, he was Born to Do It, but for a while there his career was on the rocks. Performing at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Music Awards ends a huge year for Craig, the green shoots of which can be traced back to...
1. *That* #SixtyMinutesLive session, September 2015
#SixtyMinutesLive - Kurupt FM Takeover feat. Craig David and more
Kurupt FM takeover on Sixty Minutes Live for MistaJam on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 1Xtra.
All the love and excitement we feel for Craig can be summed up by extraordinary reaction he got when he popped up in this Kurupt FM #SixtyMinutesLive session in September last year. Fast forward to 43 minutes to see what happens when he comes into the studio. Big Narstie flips!
2. Craig imparts some wisdom...
Craig David's Life Lessons: Part 2
Singer Craig David shares more wisdom with The Green Room.
The comeback was on! But what had Craig learned over the years? We asked him in March and he told us he was in a really balanced place in his life. And when he has that feeling, the music flows...
3. Craig in the Live Lounge with Blonde, playing a new track
Nothing Like This, Craig's song with deep house duo Blonde, was the second single from his then-upcoming sixth studio album, Following My Intuition. He performed it in the Live Lounge in April.
4. Radio 1's Big Weekend Exeter, May
Craig David - Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2016 Highlights
Highlights of Craig David's set at Radio 1's Big Weekend 2016
Come May, it was time for Craig to meet his public - at the Big Weekend in Exeter. What a performance!
5. He Ain't Giving Up, you know
Craig David introduces his new single featuring Sigala
Craig David joins Clara in the studio to play us his new single featuring Sigala.
Craig had a big summer, slaying festivals, and . When the autumn came, all focus was on his new album, due in September. He made it to the Live Lounge again (his third of the year) and told Clara about his new single with Sigala, Ain't Giving Up.
6. Album goes to No.1 and Craig immediately plays 1Xtra Live
Craig David - 1Xtra Live 2016 Highlights
The most highly anticipated comeback ever and it is killer.
How was that for timing? Following My Intuition goes to No.1 in the album chart and the day Craig finds out, he triumphantly opens 1Xtra Live in Liverpool.
7. MOBO wins, turning on the Oxford Street Christmas lights...
'It's been a wicked year' Jetsetter Craig David on his crazy schedule
Craig David phones close personal friend Dev on Radio 1.
"It's been a wicked year," Craig told Dev from Russia, where he was playing a gig. He also spoke of the honor of both winning Best Male Act at the MOBOs and being invited to turn on the Christmas lights on London's Oxford Street.
8. And then... the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Music Awards!
What a way to end an amazing year - by performing at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Music Awards. Caught on the red carpet, he told Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ News that it's all about the music. Always.
