Craig David has signed a new recording contract with Insanity Records – a joint venture between Sony Music UK and Insanity Management – via independent label Speakerbox (helmed by BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ MistaJam), with a new album expected early 2017.
David’s huge breakthrough came in 2000 with debut album Born To Do It selling an astonishing seven million copies worldwide, including more than a million in the US. His first two singles, Fill Me In and Seven Days, capped a trio of UK No.1s, following his 1999 smash with Artful Dodger, Re-Rewind.
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He went on to release four more albums notching up a total of 13 million sales worldwide with Slicker Than Your Average (2002), The Story Goes… (2005), Trust Me (2007) and Signed Sealed Delivered (2010). David also clocked up three Ivor Novello and eight MOBO Award wins – not to mention 12 BRIT Award and two Grammy nominations.
The first two albums went via Wildstar (an independent label helmed by long-term manager Colin Lester), then David signed to Warner, before ending up at Universal for his last set of covers.
In 2013, there were plans for a comeback with a newly signed publishing deal with Universal in the U.S. However, it’s Sony U.K. that’s backing David now, and he’s the first artist to secure an album deal with Insanity Records – an imprint led by Insanity Management boss Andy Varley that partnered with Sony towards the tail end of last year.
David remains with his long term manager Colin Lester of JEM Music Group, who praised the new set-up for their global ambition.
“Since he released Born to Do It in 2000, Craig has always been fully focused on keeping his artistic integrity intact, ” said Lester. “When considering this next phase of his career our main priority was to work with a team that shared his musical vision and would give him the support and freedom to develop his ideas.
“With Insanity, Speakerbox and Sony we have found the perfect blend of creativity and market understanding alongside the desire and ability to take his new album to a global audience.”
Said David: “Throughout my career my management team have had my back and been by my side, helping me develop my ideas and bring them to fruition. Together with JEM Artists, I’m really excited to be working on my new album with such quality people at Insanity, Speakerbox and Sony Music UK, whose enthusiasm and willingness to back me and my music is incredible!”
Varley, President of Insanity Records, added: “We are excited to welcome Craig into the Insanity family. He is one of the UK’s most formidable male artists, and we are now looking forward to making an incredible album with him.”
Pete Dalton, Creative Director of Speakerbox and David’s A&R man, said: “Speakerbox are really excited to work with such a global icon. Craig has never been more relevant than he is right now. His new material will put him back where he deserves to be at the vanguard of British music. We believe we are uniquely placed to work with Craig and give him the creative space and support to craft some of the best songs of his career to date.”
David’s first single as part of the new deal, When The Bassline Drops, was released at the end of November last year. Recent activity has included a performance of his debut single Fill Me In over Jack Ü and Justin Bieber’s Where Are Ü Now on MistaJam’s BBC Radio 1Xtra show. He followed that up with a session in the BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra Live Lounge, and performed alongside Fuse ODG at The X Factor 2015 final in December.
This article was first published at Music Business Worldwide, by RHIAN JONES
About Craig David
Craig David was born in Southampton, Hampshire. His father is Afro-Grenadian and his mother is Anglo-Jewish and related to the founders of the Accurist watch-making company; David’s maternal grandfather was an Orthodox Jew and his maternal grandmother a convert to Judaism.
David’s parents separated when he was eight and he was raised by his mother.
David’s father played bass in a reggae band called Ebony Rockers. As a teen, David began accompanying his father to local dance clubs, where DJs let him take the microphone.
