Interview with U.K. R&B singer Craig David. His latest album "Trust Me" has been released in the United States. The album, which is great, was recorded in Cuba. You can read our review of "Trust Me" here.

It's been over five years since you released an album in the United States. Are you excited about "Trust Me" being released in the United States?
Craig David-Yeah, I mean for me to come back over after I've been away for a little while. For one it's great for me knowing that the record industry is in a funny place right now. It's been 8 years, back over in the States with a new record I'm getting good feedback and good press in general. I'm just happy to be back out here.

I was a really big fan of your last album, "The Story Goes…" I ordered it from iTunes. Were you disappointed that it wasn't released in the United States because it was just a fantastic record?
Craig David-Do you know what, thank you for asking me. It's funny, it's just the timing when that album dropped and the time that was going to be spent traveling and touring, they kind of felt that I would be spreading myself thinly if I came to America if I couldn't give it the time that it deserved and it also seemed like an album that might just miss the aim slightly, so we were like, let's focus on the fourth album and drop it over in America. For me it is kind of frustrating when an album doesn't drop in the States because you think there's good songs on there and you want people to enjoy them.

Craig David on the album "The Story Goes.."

I really enjoy all of your music videos. Do you enjoy the process of making music videos?
Craig David-Yes, music videos are fine if you can be in a nice location, if you are not stuck in a studio in the middle of nowhere and it's raining outside. But if you can be in a beautiful location like when we did the "Hidden Agenda" video. Give me a good location and I'm happy.

Of all of your music videos which one is your favorite?
Craig David-Probably "What's Your Flavor." It's one video that didn't get as much exposure out there, not as much exposure as I would like, but it's still my favorite.

My favorite video of yours is "Walking Away."
Craig David-Thank you.

I really like your song "Hypnotic" from your album "The Story Goes…" It's really a great song. Why didn't you release that song as a single? I think that was one of the best songs.
Craig David-You know what? There are a lot of questions when it comes to releasing singles. Sometimes you are led by that current spark and that feel for things by different A&R's and record companies get involved. If it would have been up to me I think "Hypnotic" would have been a great single to run with. You look back in hindsight and think we should have run with that one. But at the end of the day, the people who know about it, it's a good look and it's a shame and sometimes you think "That one didn't fly, I need to come correct the next time I come out."

That song was number one on my top played songs on my iPod for the longest.
Craig David-Yeah. I like that one.

I remember you recorded the song "The Rise & Fall" with Sting for your sophomore album "Slicker Than Your Average." It isn't often that he collaborates with new up and coming artists. What was it like working with Sting for that song?
Craig David-It was really a luxury to work with someone who didn't necessarily have to let me use that sample from "Shape of My Heart," and then to get involved with the song and come in the studio with me. He's like financially secure for the rest of his life and he could have gone on anyway he wanted to but he was like cool, down to earth, that really shows that he is a true artist.

I love your song "6 of 1 Thing" from your album "Trust Me." What was it like recording that song and what was your inspiration behind the title. I don't really know what the title is about.
Craig David-You know 6 of 1 thing, half a dozen of another is an expression in the U.K., a dozen being twelve and half of that being six. 6 of 1 Thing is like not really understanding what a person is saying. One minute they are saying 6 of 1 Thing and the next they are saying 6 of another thing. It's like I'm not really sure where you are coming from.

I really like the toned down video for "Officially Yours." What inspired you to release such a low key toned down video for that song?
Craig David-I just wanted to kind of do less is more. When you're doing a video and you're trying to catch the visual and sometimes you miss what the song is actually about and the melody. Sometimes people are more involved in the visual of the cover of their album. This video is very simple and cut to the chase, me singing on the mic, and hopefully you can just get the song rather than worrying about what's going on in the video.

I think you are a very handsome man and you've matured and you're really handsome. Do you get tired of the fans on the message boards saying that you don't look the same? I've seen a lot of the messages and they say you don't look the same.
Craig David-You know you are always going to get that kind of thing if you shave your head low or you put a different jacket on or a different pair of jeans. You know the beautiful thing is that if I put on beanie cap and rock that and a little box with a 'stache it takes me right back to where I was before. But to be honest with you, you go through times in life, for awhile I had my hair braided and that was like drama having my hair braided. I mean you want to just jump in and jump out rather than having the hassle of having to wait three hours to get your hair braided. I'm at the point in my life where I want to keep my hair low so hopefully I can rock it for a little while.

I remember a few years ago you performed at the historic Live 8 concert. What was that experience like for you?
Craig David-That was cool. To be a part of something like that to raise the awareness of that crisis and to be able to perform. We did an acoustic track and we broke it down and we got a great response from that. We didn't need a big band or anything. We actually filmed in Paris and I think in London, we got a great response from that. So hopefully that helped the cause.

You've traveled all over the world. What are some of your favorite countries to visit?
Craig David-To be honest, America is great. There are so many places you can drop in like L.A. and New York's got that kind of vibe, and I recently bought a place in Miami. I bought a place to hang out. Costa Rica was great where I recorded "Music in High Places," which was recorded for MTV and it showed me performing in a rain forest or near a volcano. It was a great experience. To be honest Europe is a cool place. Paris in France, I mean there are so many cool countries.

You said you just bought a place in Miami?
Craig David-Yeah.

Have you ever thought about working with any of the hot hip-hop producers based in Miami such as Pharrell or Timbaland?
Craig David-Yeah, I mean Timbaland's a hot producer right now and he's great. I don't want to just jump on the band wagon and just do a one off track with him I'd rather do something more tangible than a one oft song. But I have a lot of respect for him, Danja, Pharrell, all of them. Ryan Leslie is another person to add to the lot. He has kind of been under the radar for a few years.

I really like the song "This Is The Girl," featuring Kano. What was it like working with Kano? I know he is a really big new up and coming artist in the U.K.
Craig David-Kano's a cool guy. He's kind of underground but he has that ability to understand the hip hop culture. He could come into the American market and talk about things that they could understand. He's kind of laid back but lyrically he's very poignant.

I'm an author and I've written four books. I know you write songs. Have you ever considered writing a book?
Craig David-You know for me right now I'd rather write a few more books that have a melody and lyrics and played on the radio. Once I'm kind of firm on my feet with that and I've done a few more albums then maybe a book. Right now my music will be my priority.

I see you have so many fans on Myspace. Do you really check your Myspace or do you have someone else do it for you?
Craig David-I look at the comments that people make and I read the messages that the people make on my website as well. You always take a little criticism along the way, but its good to see what the people have to say. For me in the eyes of a performer it's good because I find out if I'm doing the right thing or if I've released the right song.

I saw your Youtube channel where you documented when you went down to Cuba to record the latest album. Have you already started making plans to record your fifth album?
Craig David-Right now I've got some ideas about what I'm going to do. If I can get focused and find out where I'm at and how I'm going to deal with this promotion and focus a few more ideas and determine what producers I'm going to work with, I'll make plans for the fifth album. I always find it more difficult to plan for the next album when I'm in the middle of promotion. I'm always looking for new ideas and I'm hoping to make something happen in the States, then I'll start looking at some ideas for the next album.

Are you doing any concert touring here in the U.S.?
Craig David-Hopefully, in July we'll be out on tour and let people get a chance to see the live show and we'll do some radio. I want people to see the live show because I feel that's where I shine most.

Craig David "Trust Me" review at Thabiz.com Craig David Youtube Channel Craig David at Myspace Craig David official website

Craig David-interview copyright Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, and Thabiz.com 2008

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Craig David -interview may not be reprinted, copied or distribute without permission. You may link to this interview.Interview copyright Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, thabiz.com May 2008.