Craig David |
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Mon. November 11.2002 5:14 PM EST |
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Craig David: The Rebirth of SlickSex symbol talks about chocolate addiction, loving the Beatles and teaching Sting to sing. by C. Bottomley |
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Craig David (VH1.com) |
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Craig David called his first album Born to Do It, and maybe he should have deemed its follow-up Ive Been Through It. The U.K. superstars multi-platinum debut was a puckish take on the itchy beats of British two-step, cheerfully
Not that David is ruing his success - far from it. He still wants to write one of those songs that makes the whole world sing - quite literally in the case of the closing World Filled With Love, a ballad as rousing as Michael Jacksons Man in the Mirror. And theres more state-of-the-art American R&B on Slicker than there is two-step. The spring-loaded clatter of the British clubs has been placed in the back seat this time around. Heres a man with nothing less than world domination on his mind. Davids hunger for success was evident the moment he sat down with VH1. The 21-year-old from Southampton made sure everyone got a handshake or a hug. You may be indifferent to his music, but hes going to make sure you remember him. A charmer, he spoke with us about how he lets his music do the talking, what hes looking for in a partner, and the delicate process of giving Sting some pointers on singing. VH1: So are you really Slicker Than Your Average, as the title track has it? Craig David: Its my answer to the question What does Craig think about what people say about him? I wanted to have one seven-minute song that gets it all off my chest. VH1: Was there something anyone said that particularly rankled you? David: With success comes a lot of jealousy. A lot of people stab you in the back. The people who said, Were part of the crew, werent with me when I really needed them. Im not bitter. Im 21; Ive traveled the whole world; Im having a wonderful time. But these people needed to understand small little things. VH1: Eenie Meenie is also about the pitfalls of fame. Was your love life affected by Born to Do Its success? David: The Whats Your Flava? video touches on the different types of girls Ive met along the way: the gold-digger, the one who wants to be a star [so shes] using me to help her, and the neurotic fan. Then theres the wholesome girl, whos chilled, but has a little wild side to her. I get very bored if theres no ambition and drive in my partner. It doesnt have to be about music. But if youre a painter and youre passionate about it - that excites me. My traveling has allowed me to meet so many beautiful people, but its about having a good balance between ambition, drive, and compassion. [Watch Clip] VH1: Is there a song on the album that youve written for somebody? David: World Filled With Love was a song about how things have changed - how Ill meet a girl and the next day itll be in the papers. Being in New York on September 11 and seeing the tragedy unfold in front of my eyes also inspired me to write a song that could touch on the events without dwelling on the subject. I was trying to push a positive note. I wanted one song that said, Regardless of all the times you start to cry, look to someone whos around you and see that theres true love there for you. VH1: You dont drink, smoke or take drugs. So whats your vice? David: I have to be careful with chocolate. Im excessive in whatever I do. You cant give me one little piece of chocolate and say, No more for you. Get the whole bag and lets really go for it - to the point where my head is spinning and I get depressed from having eaten too much chocolate. Im serious when it comes to chocolate. VH1: The new video is inspired by Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Do you remember the impression the film made on you the first time you saw it? David: I was around 11 or 12. It just stuck in my head. I was fascinated by having the opportunity of going to the chocolate factory where everything is edible, and enjoying all these weird and wonderful things while going through this whole trip. Theres also the message that if youre a genuine person, youll win the day. I think thats a message to which people can still relate. VH1: Theres a lot more sexual content on this record. When youre writing about the wild thing, is there a fine line you have to tread so you dont embarrass yourself? David: Being raised by my mum made me realize that I should be respectful towards women when I write songs. When I talk about sex I should do it in a way that isnt vulgar. When I was writing Born to Do It, it was a journey from being 16 all the way to when the album being released. Im 21 now. So on this album I went a little deeper - if youll pardon the pun. I can explain things with more depth. The song Personal is like Fill Me In, Part Two. Im not creeping around under the parents noses when theyve gone out any more. Im creeping upstairs while theyre downstairs! [Watch Clip] VH1: Is there any song that crosses that line, which youd never play for your parents? David: Im a massive R. Kelly fan. He will take it that one step forward. Hes gonna talk about [sex] and hes gonna talk straight about it. I wouldnt play R. Kelly in front of my mum. She picks up on things like that on this album. On Whats Your Flava? I say, I want to taste ya, and shes like [adopts high-pitched voice:] Craig, what are you trying to say here? I explain its about ice cream flavors and then she says, Oh, its all good! VH1: Your lyrical metaphors are closer to Princes cheekiness than R. Kellys raunch. Was the Purple One much of an influence on you? David: I had Prince in mind when I wrote Personal. He allows his music to do the talking, so the way the strings move [in his songs] give you the sensation youre sliding down something. As a musician hes phenomenal, and I learned so much from that. This album shows off a lot of my influences. World Filled With Love takes in a lot of Beatles and Beach Boys influences. VH1: Musiq covered Something on his album this year. What is it about the Beatles that appeals to R&B artists? David: As a songwriter I love things that are very instant, where you jump on the melody, and when youve heard it a few times, you become interested in what the lyric has to say. Theres really no one in the R&B scene that takes on influences like the Beach Boys or the Beatles. They always toe the line as to how R&B should be. A lot of the time, you [forget] the song cause youre trying to perform so much - [R&B allows] you to ad-lib for days. Im a songwriter willing to explore different musical genres and say, You know what? Were going to try a little Beatles. I like their harmonies. VH1: How did Sting end up singing with you on Rise and Fall? David: I was watching a film called The Professional. Over the credits played Stings classic Shape of My Heart. When I heard the guitar riff, I thought, This is such an amazing melody. I took the first part of that track, looped it up and wrote a whole new top line and lyric about an artists trials and tribulations. I was saying, Im new to all this. At the moment Im staying focused, but you can get caught up in the sex, drugs, and rock n roll lifestyle. The next thing is the fall of your career. I sent it to Sting to see if hed clear the sample. He said he loved the song and I said, Id love for you to sing the hook. On the track, hes an elder spokesman, saying, Hey, Im experienced here, Craig. Let me tell you, Superstar you may have finally made it / But once your picture becomes tainted/ It's what they call / The rise and fall. Hes a true professional. It was quite surreal having him in the vocal booth and me on the other side saying, Sting, can you kind of sing it like this? I was waiting for him to say, Look Craig, coming into the studio is one thing, but for you to be telling me how to [sing.] ... [Watch Clip] VH1: Have you ever heard someone perform one of your own songs? David: Theres a U.K. program called Stars In Your Eyes. When youve achieved a certain level of renown, a fan goes onto the show and impersonates you. One night I was watching, and someone came out and said, Tonight Im going to be Craig David. I thought, This is crazy. How can I be someone that someones perform as? The person went on and did Seven Days! It blew my mind that I was actually influencing people in that way. VH1: Did the impersonator do a good job? David:Watching him do the mannerisms was weird. He picked up things that I just do normally, and I thought, Do I really do that all the time? That was quite surreal for me. But he did well! [Watch Clip] |
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