25 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. All these years later, and with Craig David still at the very top of his game, he now celebrates the impact of his debut record with the news that he will release ‘Born To Do It: 25th Anniversary Edition’ on December 12th.
As that title proudly exclaimed, Craig 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’.
By the time the album’s era came to a close, he had also claimed three Ivor Novellos, his first four MOBO Awards, two Grammynominations, 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 Craig collaborating with Artful Dodger’s Mark Hillin a small studio in Southampton: the duo’s creative liberation 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’was such a cultural moment that it’s still impossible to live in the UK and not be aware that Craig likes to chill on Sunday.
Craig David says, “25 years ago, my world changed. ‘Born to Do It’ was released and the life I’d only imagined as a kid became reality. This album grew from moments with my mum, from browsing record shops in London to singing for her in our flat. She championed my dreams and believed in me long before I ever did. It also owes so much to my dad’s inspiration and to countless hours spent alone with my Walkman.
I grew up on a council estate, writing songs that carried my dreams, never imagining they would one day take flight. Meeting Mark Hill was instrumental in shaping this record. I’ll always treasure our time in the studio and the magic we created. I’m grateful for the journey this album has taken me on and for the love you still share after all these years. It’s humbling and beautiful to know it still resonates so deeply.”
Digital tracklist:
1.‘Fill Me In’
2. ‘Can’t Be Messin’ Around’
3. ‘Rendezvous’
4. ‘7 Days’
5. ‘Follow Me’
6. ‘Key To My Heart’ (originally a US bonus track)
7. ‘Fill Me In (Part 2)’ (originally a US bonus track)
8. ‘Last Night’
9. ‘Walking Away’
10. ‘Time To Party’
11. ‘Booty Man’
12. ‘Once In A Lifetime’
13. ‘You Know What’
14. ‘Rewind’
15. ‘Four Times A Lady’*
16. ‘Apartment 543’ (originally a ‘Fill Me In’ b-side)*
17. ‘Human’ (originally a ‘Walking Away’ b-side)*
18. ‘Fill Me In’ (Artful Dodger Remix)*
19. ‘Fill Me In’ (Sunship Remix)*
20. ‘Rendezvous’ (Blacksmith R&B Rerub featuring Know ?uestion)*
21. ‘Rendezvous’ (Treats Remix)*
22. ‘Rendezvous’ (Sunship vs. DJ Chunky Mix)*
23. ‘7 Days’ (DJ Premier Remix featuring Mos Def)*
24. ‘7 Days’ (featuring Fat Joe)*
25. ‘7 Days’ (Sunship Remix)*
26. ‘7 Days’ (Full Crew Remix)*
27. ‘Walking Away’ (Ignorants Remix featuring Trell)*
28. ‘Walking Away’ (DJ Chunky Remix)*
29.‘Walking Away’ (Treats Better Day Remix)*
* Previously unreleased on DSPs.
Vinyl tracklist:
LP1
A1. ‘Fill Me In’
A2. ‘Can’t Be Messin’ Around’
A3. ‘Rendezvous’
A4. ‘7 Days’
B1. ‘Follow Me’
B2. ‘Key To My Heart’ (originally a US bonus track)*
B3. ‘Fill Me In (Part 2)’ (originally a US bonus track)*
B4. ‘Last Night’
LP2
C1. ‘Walking Away’
C2. ‘Time To Party’
C3. ‘Booty Man’
D1. ‘Once In A Lifetime’
D2. ‘You Know What’
D3. ‘Rewind’
* Previously unreleased on vinyl.
‘Born To Do It: 25th Anniversary Edition’ is now available to pre-order / pre-save HERE.