Craig David shares his experience writing first book What's Your Vibe?
It covers his childhood up to the present day
Craig David has been in the music industry for an impressive 22 years, and brought out his first book What's Your Vibe? in October, a month after making his announcement about it.
Craig had been teasing his new book, which includes stories of his life right back from his childhood to the present day, from September. After its release, he shared some more details about it at Hits Live in November.
Craig got chatting to us about the process of writing his book and said: "It was really cathartic... to lean into mental health and depression and lack of boundaries, saying yes when you really meant no and being a people pleaser, impostor syndrome; so many things that were just a human-to-human connection that I felt if I spoke about that, that is something that can hopefully help people and that’s a book that’s worthwhile to make."
Speaking about his decision to write the book, he added: "It’s been 22 years of doing music and it gets to a point in your career where now the work really begins. Because now I’ve got a following of people who are like ‘we know your character, we know who you are and we know how you carry yourself’ so now it’s about how you can help people, how can you be of service?"
What is Craig David's book called?
Craig David's book is called What's Your Vibe?.
Craig David's book signing
On the day of the book's release, the singer posted a video on Instagram in which Craig could be seen at a branch of Waterstones for a book signing, showing the long queue of fans all waiting to get a signed copy.
The singer told his fans: 'It’s been an incredibly special journey creating my 1st ever book ‘What’s Your Vibe?’ 📚❤️ Being able to bring back some of the amazing moments we’ve all shared together so far, while reflecting on the life lessons and struggles I’ve had to overcome personally along the way, I feel now was the perfect time to ground it all in something tangible for you to enjoy💫 By pouring my heart out in my 1st ever book I hope ‘What’s Your Vibe?’ will resonate with you in the same way it does with me and hopefully bring some light and positivity into your life as we navigate this beautiful thing called life 🌿🌕🏆 All my love, CD. xxx What's Your Vibe? is OUT NOW (Order via the link in my bio)✨💫'.
How did Craig David announce his first book?
In September, Craig shared details in a video on social media, he could be seen opening the box containing his new book for the first time.
The video showed the singer getting emotional as he took the book out of the box and looked at the quotes on the back, from the likes of Social Chain founder Steven Bartlett, TV presenter Fearne Cotton, and author Sonia Choquette.
"Ah man, the quotes... look at the quotes right?" Craig said. "I've got Fearne Cotton on there, Steven Bartlett and Sonia Choquette. Now, I didn't know what the quotes... I knew that they had very kindly added their quotes to this book, but it just said 'insert quote, insert quote' on the versions that I'd seen."
Craig went on to reveal that the book has been two years in-the-making, and been a labour of love. What's Your Vibe? spans the whole of Craig's career from working with Artful Dodger on 'Re-Rewind', right up to the present day.
"I hope it connects with you in the same way it connects with me," the singer explained.
Since announcing his new book, fans and celebrities have been commenting on Craig's video, with Kirsty Gallagher saying: 'Congratulations, holding your finished book in your hands for the first time is the best feeling ever! Take time to soak it all in. I can’t wait to read it! #vibes ❤️✨'.
And Steven Bartlett writing: 'It’s a masterpiece! Thank you for sharing your wisdom brother ❤️'.
This year, Craig celebrates 22 years in the music industry, and he will be releasing his album titled '22' at the end of this month, the album will feature several songs he has already released including 'DNA' with Galantis, and 'Who You Are' with MNEK.
When is Craig David's book What's Your Vibe? released?
Craig's first book What's Your Vibe? is available now, it was released on 6th October 2022.
You can hear songs by Craig David on Forth 1.
Now take a look through Craig David's amazing career:
1991 - 'Re-Rewind'
Music is definitely in Craig David's blood. As a child, he was surrounded by music. His father George even played bass in a reggae band.
Despite being well-known in the underground MC world in the 90s and writing songs for British group Damage, Craig David only got his big break in 1999 when he featured on the track 'Re-Rewind' by garage duo Artful Dodger.
The song reached Number 2 in the charts and Craig soon became a household name.
2000 - 'Fill Me In'
In 2000, Craig released one of his greatest tunes to date, 'Fill Me In', and it was his first! The garage banger soared to the top of the charts.
2000 - First album 'Born To Do It'
Craig's debut album 'Born To Do It' was released 14th August 2000 by Wildstar Records. It went to Number 1 and eventually went 6x Platinum. It also achieved major success in the US, selling over a million copies.
Hosting smash singles including '7 Days' and 'Walking Away', the album placed Craig at the top and earned him three Ivor Novello Awards as well as six BRIT Award nominations in 2001.
Later in April 2009, MTV viewers voted 'Born to Do It' as number 2 on their 'Greatest Album of All-Time' poll. What an accolade!
2002 - 'Slicker Than Your Average'
Craig's first album was definitely hard to beat and his second, 'Slicker Than Your Average', was released in 2002. It had huge hits, 'What's Your Flava?', 'Hidden Agenda' and 'Rise & Fall' and reached Number 4 in the charts.
2005 - Change of sound and third album 'The Story Goes...'
In 2005, Craig announced that he had signed with Warner Music and put together his third album, 'The Story Goes...'. His sound shifted slightly and he began exploring more contemporary R&B. His song 'All The Way' put him back in the Top 3 in the charts and the album still did well.
2007 - 'Trust Me'
Craig switched up his look on his fourth album 'Trust Me'. He successfully sought permission from David Bowie to sample his 1983 Number 1 single 'Let's Dance'. The single was a top ten hit but his fourth record didn't perform as well as his first three.
2007 also saw him team up with UK grime legend Kano for their collaboration 'This Is The Girl' that sampled Jay Z's song 'Big Pimpin'.
2008 - 2009 Greatest Hits and new direction
In 2008, still quite early on in his career, Craig released a Greatest Hits album, full of his best known hits as well a new song 'Where's Your Love' featuring Tinchy Stryder and Rita Ora.
Craig then signed another new record with Universal Motown and released sixth album 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered'. It featured covers of classics from Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye and Al Green.
In 2009, he moved to Miami and took a break. Craig bought a luxurious all-white penthouse in the sunny city, and began taking major interest in body-building and getting into shape.
Although he didn't go on an official hiatus, Craig reportedly resented the caricature of himself on Leigh Francis' TV show Bo' Selecta!, in which he was frequently parodied.
Craig told The Sunday Times in 2007: "The whole Bo' Selecta! thing was killing me for a while because this idiot had a cult following and I was the main caricature. It was hurtful beyond belief. There were times when I thought I just want to knock this guy out."
2011 - The Craig David comeback and TS5
Craig started making his way back to the mainstream in 2011 when his DJ name TS5 started uploaded the sets to Soundcloud, and on the back of this success Craig embarked on a huge world tour that took him all over the globe.
TS5 remains hugely successful to this day, taking Craig everywhere from Ibiza to Glastonbury.
In January 2013, David announced on Twitter that he had signed a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group, he then took his TS5 shows on tour.
In 2015, Craig appeared on The X Factor and performed his breakthrough single 'Re-Rewind' with Reggie 'n' Bollie.
In 2016, he signed with Sony and was preparing for the ultimate comeback.
2016 - 'Following My Intuition'
Craig's comeback single 'When The Bassline Drops', featuring Big Narstie, flew straight into the Top 10.
In September 2016, he dropped his long-awaited comeback album 'Following My Intuition' and it was his first album to hit Number 1 since his debut 'Born To Do It'. He then headed on tour and played almost every festival under the sun.
2017 - 'The Time Is Now'
In 2017, Craig announced the release of the seventh studio album, 'The Time Is Now', which was released in January 2018 and featured hits like 'Heartline' and 'I Know You' featuring Bastille.
2019 - 2020 New songs and Love Island
Two years later, he released 'Do You Miss Me Much' and 'When You Know What Love Is' - which he performed in the Love Island villa during a guest DJ slot.
2021 - New music tease
In October 2021, Craig surprised fans and told them a collaboration 'Who You Are' which saw join forces with Grammy-nominated artist and acclaimed songwriter MNEK.
He's also hinted at a new album.
2021 - Craig David received an MBE from Prince Charles
In December 2021, Craig David received an MBE at Windsor Castle from Prince Charles. The singer too to Instagram to share some photos of him receiving the award telling his fans: 'As I sit here after a beautiful day with my mum at Windsor Castle 🏰 I just wanna say thank you to everyone that has played a part in my career to date & to everyone that supports me & enriches my life. I'm so grateful & I Love You ❤️💫 xxx'
2022 - Craig David performs at the Platinum Party at the Palace
Craig David was among the talented artists who performed at the Platinum Party at the Palace concert as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Jubilee celebrations on 4th June.
After his performance, he took to Instagram to say: 'After the last few years we've all had to face our own challenges individually & collectively, but in that time I've seen so many acts of courage, humility & grace from all of You that makes an occasion like this even more special to be a part of' (sic)
2022 - Craig releases his eighth album
On 30th September 2022, Craig released his eighth studio album, celebrating 22 years of his epic career! Aptly names '22', the album included tracks such as 'DNA' with Galantis, 'Who You Are' with MNEK and 'My Heart's Been Waiting for You' with Duvall.
2022 - Craig David's first book
In September 2022, Craig David announced he would be releasing his first book called What's Your Vibe?. The book covers his whole career and was released on 6th October of that year.
2024 - Love Island: All Stars performance
Craig delivered an incredible performance in the Love Island: All Stars villa in February 2024, delighting Islanders including superfan Anton Danyluk. Craig was also joined by Wes Nelson, with the pair teaming up for an epic performance of their collab 'Abracadabra'.
2024 - Craig David announces 'Commitment Tour 2025'
Craig David announced dates across the UK as part of his 'Commitment Tour 2025', starting in Leeds on 2nd February, he will end in London on 20th February.
2024 - Craig releases first solo single in two years 'In Your Hands'
In September 2024, Craig released his first solo single in two years entitled 'In Your Hands', alongside a nostalgic video depicting his younger self.
'In Your Hands' has a real country vibe, which confirms Craig's earlier teases about 'a new chapter' of music.
Now read:
Everything you ever needed to know about Craig David 🎶
Craig David's impressive career timeline 🎧
Craig David's biggest hits from 'Fill Me In' to 'Who You Are'