Twenty-five years ago, a then largely unknown Craig David dropped his debut album, Born To Do It, a record which became a landmark in UK garage and British R&B and instantly made its creator a household name.

By the time the album’s era came to a close, he had also claimed three Ivor Novellos, his first four MOBO Awards, two Grammy nominations, and two MTV Europe Awards. Ultimately certified 6 x Platinum in the UK, Born To Do It was a global smash too, earning further Platinum certifications in the US, Australia, Germany, France and beyond.

Even more impressively, Born To Do It emerged from modest circumstances, with David collaborating with Artful Dodger’s Mark Hill in a small studio in Southampton: the duo’s creative liberation was free from any influences from the wider industry. Yet what they created made a phenomenal impact, from the irresistible 2-step grooves of Fill Me In to the classic R&B ballad Walking Away and 7 Days

David expressed, "For me, it feels like it was just yesterday when I wrote the album." “The album is a gift that keeps giving; even now when I perform those songs live, I can see people’s faces light up.”

To celebrate the anniversary of the release of the iconic debut album, there will be the inevitable commemorative live shows. “We have two shows coming up in London on 9th and 10th April at the Eventim Apollo, where I intend to perform the album from start to finish, in the order that the songs follow on the record. Afterwards, there will be a chance to perform my other big hits too. I could have taken the show on tour, but I wanted to keep it special with just the two gigs.”

As the title of the debut album proudly exclaimed, David was born to do it. If anyone doubted him, they were soon proved wrong as it fired straight to #1 in the UK and became the fastest-selling debut by a British male solo artist. Suddenly he was everywhere, building on his breakthrough Artful Dodger collab ‘Rewind’ with two iconic #1s (‘Fill Me In’ and ‘7 Days’) and another big hit with ‘Walking Away’.

David moved to Miami after fame at home began to take a toll on him; after a few years, he decided to move back home. “Growing up here and also my family being here, I did become homesick, also for the cultural things I missed, like being able to talk to people about television programmes such as Fools and Horses and Keeping up Appearances, besides being able to get a good portion of fish and chips! I began to feel I was a little bit off my trajectory – I just wanted to be back home with the people I love.”

After achieving initial success, when did David believe he had reached the top? “For me it was when my debut album was such a huge success. I still feel now like I am a student in the game; for me, that is what keeps things so exciting and alive. When you make that bold statement that “I’ve made it”, you have to question yourself: where might that be? Was it that arena tour or a particular award? I know that I can sing and hold an audience’s attention, but I am still learning all the time. Every time you think you know it, life has a habit of showing you otherwise.”

https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/craig-david-tickets/artist/703676