Craig David Opens Up About His Painful Rise, Fall & Redemption | E135 

Everyone knows the music, but not many know the journey it really took to create all of those global hits. So many lessons from this journey, with all of its twists and turns, can be applied to our own. What a true honour, thank you brother 🙏🏽.... Hit like and subscribe for a new episode every Monday and Thursday 🙌🏽

Craig David is my favourite musician and "Born to do it" is my favourite album that I have listened to at least once a week since I was a 12 year old girl in 2000. I smiled the whole way through this interview for seeing what a nice guy he is. Thanks, Steven, for letting us get to know him in a way we haven't had the chance to before, and for your amazing interview style and podcast. So grateful for this podcast.

Ah I love this. Almost twenty years ago my daughter was working as a model, and as part of her job she was frequently paid to attend showbiz parties. She was a very young single parent at the time, but also had a boyfriend, who was not her child's dad. These factors obviously weren't evident to people whilst she was at work. She met Craig, who liked her, and began phoning her to ask her on dates. Out of respect for her boyfriend she said no. She later married the boyfriend and changed her career to a public service career. The marriage lasted ten years and produced another child, but then it sadly ended. I often joke with her about Craig David. When I see him on TV I say 'ah there he is, my son in law'..... 'the one that one that should have been'. In all seriousness though, I think remaining single for both Craig and Steven has been crucial to their successes. A lot of young people (me included, and then later my kids) don't realise that you don't have to follow convention, you don't have to get married and have children and get a house and all of that stuff. You can choose just to be you - and that is more than enough.

Craig has such a refreshing innocence, positivity and lack of bitterness. Good for him. Steven is also great at active listening and appreciating people’s stories, even though I wonder if he might not have as much in common with Craig as some of his other guests

I was worried listening to this was gonna ruin my childhood but i've been pleasantly surprised! Craig David is actually such a down to earth brilliant guy in real life. Love it 😁

OK this interview needs a part 2. We need to talk about how Craig has had an impact on the scene, how he mixed the singing and rapping wayyyy before Drake and how he’s avoided catching a few baby mama’s along the way 😉 All ❤️

I’m almost 42 years old, and Craig David will always remain one of my all time favourites, for him as a person, as much as a performer ❤❤❤🧚‍♀️🧚‍♀️🧚‍♀️🙏🙏🙏

Craig is a national treasure! Wonderful heartfelt interview, thank you.

I saw Craig's TS5 show at Ibiza Rocks in 2016 with my best mates. I've been a pro guitarist for over 20 years, heavily into prog rock and have traveled the world watching live music. Without a doubt though, Craig's performance was the most ENJOYABLE live music experience I've ever witnessed. It was incredible seeing one man DJing, MCing, improvising on the fly, and mixing songs in the charts with his own stuff, and hyping the crowd - simultaneously. Great interview, thanks for sharing. I hope Craig reads this comment one day. Legend!

Craig came across as if he has been waiting a while for this opportunity to speak his truth and let his thoughts free!

"Man enough to be vulnerable" - this needs to be repeated more often!

God I love Craig David, I drove my mum bonkers as a teenager playing Born To Do It on repeat in my bedroom, iconic album, still sounds just as good now, great guy; thanks for interviewing him Steven ❤️❤️

The most honest expressions I have ever seen in an interview. Craig David embodied his truths.

i am not a huge podcast person but I have to admit that this is becoming addictive...I watched a few of the episodes and this one is by far the best, Craig is really open and human and that really resonates with me. I was a young kid experimenting with music and turntables and now, no longer a kid, I am still enjoying that but for a smaller audience (just me or my closest family). Knowing the journey Craig was in makes me feel more connected to him and for sure my daughters will have his records in their music collection. That is not because of what he went through but because he is a human with an unbelievable vibe and voice.

Craig seems a really intelligent guy, so interesting hearing his story

Absolutely love this episode. Craig is such a passionate, honest and open person.

I’ve never read that much comments. Each comment is full of nostalgia and love. I see my peers here who are the same age group as me 36-37 😅. Craig, if you’re reading this, please know that, probably, I’m the only girl in 2000’s who was listening to your Born to do it album for 2 years straight without pause. Though I didn’t know English well, still sang and knew by heart every word of your songs 🎉

I'm a producer and musician from Wolverhampton and I just wanted to say thank you for this interview!! Hearing Craig's excitement about his story and parts of his come up gave me a bit more fuel in the tank to follow my passion and my nerdiness and Love for this difficult industry. I can't lie it's one of my dreams to be featured on this podcast in the future telling people my story in the same way. All the things I've picked up from watching the massive range of interviews you've conducted have really given me a load of gems to take into my life and career. I'm grateful for what you do! Even more importantly I appreciate that you feature a lot of UK people and it's great that they talk about experiences specifially being here in the UK because I've listened and absorbed a lot of US and other countries and their content but the UK is still a HUGE untapped gem for talent and amazing stories and I'm excited to be a part of such a fruitful story and make certain changes to shine a light on the gems that shine across the UK. Thank you!!

I'm single myself, but I really feel Craig David is well over due in finding his one life partner now. He's grown so much as a person in recent years. Kinder and more self aware. ❤️

Honestly the best podcast I've ever come across. I'm the same age group as Craig so I lived this story. The greatest artist to come out of my era. He had everything. My late teens and 20s was electric. The music the clubs the women and the holidays. What an experience.

This is by FAAARRRR one of the best interviews that I have ever seen!!! The interviewer was so great by asking the right questions and allowing the interviewee to speak without interruptions. Craig is so charismatic and gifted. His new album is amazing, also.

I am so blown away by this that im definitely going to change my life. The inspiration levels i just got from this is so huge. I suffered from mental health and it felt like my life was over but watching this has given me the biggest BOOst. God bless yall.

Im so glad that I was a similar age to Craig David and Jay Sean growing up, they set a great example of how a man should be. Legends in the game and genuine good people.

I love how passionately Craig’s talks about his music back in the days. 2001 garage vibes was such a new sound and I know exactly the vibe he was talking about. Re-wind and fill me in were anthems 🏆 Love how Steven can interview Karen Brady last week and Craig David today. Both completely different stories but both interesting, powerful and inspiring. 👏👏

Craig David's honesty and vulnerability is what the world needs the most at the moment. Another wise thing he says, it's sometimes doing nothing is the best thing. Working without having time to rest or meditate about what the next moves towards personal goals should be, it ends up leading to failure and depression. Recently this has been a valuable lesson to me.

My guy one of the ogs in r&b. Thanks for helping shed light

I love what Craig said to the 14 yrs old shelf, it is full of love. I feel the love. Thank you, thank you.

So weird to hear Craig talk about my home town and people I know from back in the day. I'm so pleased to hear the pride he has for his father and Ebony Rockers. His home wasn't as bad as it seems, the atmosphere round there was great. Everyone knew everyone else and looked out for them.

As a recent discoverer of your channel and a long time fan of Craig this was special. The vulnerability and openness was just what the worlds needs more of and my respect for you both is beyond words. Keep doing what you’re doing it has a immeasurable impact 👏

Craig David! When I was in 20’s, I listened his songs over 10000times repeatedly.

Craig has been an inspiration for me since 2001. I’ve fallen in love with a girl in 2000-2001 that is still someway in my heart - while listening to seven days in rendezvous with and without her. I can still remember the first time I heard seven days on the radio. That night, I stood up all night in order to record the song whenever it would be playing. When I heard that Craig had been through kind of a period of loneliness after his heartbreak, trying to protect himself from being hurt again, I couldn’t believe that this guy had been living the same thing that I had during the last years. We are all the same as you said and for you Craig to be honest about your journey, while trying to stick with what your grandmother and mother taught you is such an example for me. I am more and more myself again at 37 years old of age, going back to who I’ve always been deep inside my soul. It might take time but the journey as you said, gives all its meaning with the hindsight. Whatever we go through, God is still in control for our good (Romans 8 verse 28). We can be Re-born to do it. Love you Craig

Been a fan of his from day one ..I'm now 34 Craig david is a genius and has an amazing voice from his slow ballads to his high tempo tunes hes a legend of the game

Wise words. "The mind is a servant to the heart."

That was such a brilliant conversation. The nostalgia was real when he was talking about his early days. In fact, I had to pause the video because I couldn’t wait any longer to re listen to Born to Do it (Rendezvous and Walking Away are just heaven!!) But beyond that, I just feel genuine care about his well-being and his happiness! His excitement at this new phase in his life is contagious and it made me smile ear to ear. I feel so proud of him and I think many of us feel an affinity with him because his personality and especially humility are so endearing!

Such a genuine, down to earth guy. Really admire him, a living legend. Loved this interview!

This was nothing short of epic. One of your best yet.

I’ve always loved Craig, from the first time I heard him speak on the Radio when He first was breaking out he sounded like no one else so enlightened, so ready, so fresh and humble and is still all these things 🙏🏼 I think the key to life is loving yourself and believing in yourself no matter what ♥️💎🙏🏼

Loved Craig since day 1 and have passed the love to my 9yr old daughter. Took her to see him at the o2 on Saturday, it's now Tuesday and I'm still buzzing about it! Brilliant man, brilliant music, so much love for him. What an interview as well.

Whenever I come across some of his podcasts, I'm always like "this is going to be good", and low and behold.

Probably the best interview Craig David has ever done. Hearing him sing “drop the funk, drop the bass” was pure nostalgia. Loved it.

Wow thank you again another amazing interview. This man as he kept saying he knew his heart was open. He let us look inside his soul after being able to see the talent that he had and still has. I just love your interviews. I just love that you listen and give them the permission to let go amazing.

I listened to the Born to Do It album all the time when I was younger. I remember when I was having a Satellite dish installed for TV back then, and I decided to play some music while I was waiting (trying to pick something that would not be annoying to the installer) and I chose to play Craig David. The man installing the dish told me he knew of Craig because he was from Southampton and he was a local in his area. I could have chosen any artist, but if I chose a different one I would not have known that. Anyway, it's nice to see Craig again and hear stories from his life I never knew. It's fun learning about the person.

Amazing conversation. Love Craig David - one of those artists in whom one can feel great talent, right from source.

Excited to listen to this. As a fellow Southamptoner I have always been inspired by what Craig has achieved. Legend 🙌

Yea, Walking Away was such a great, beautiful song all around...it was a well deserved recognition by Stevie Wonder and others. There are 2 artists that I can listen to anything they pretty much make, even if they make ok songs, and that's Craig David & Jay Sean. I truly hope Craig always comes back to creating music, he is truly gifted and makes good, clean music.

1:06:40 'Intuition is very quiet. It creeps up. It’s not nagging. You hear it, but you say _‘I don’t want to hear it; it’s still so aesthetically pleasing over here...’_ - Craig David

I agree we need a part 2 for this interview ! There were so many topics not discussed. As much as I appreciate the vulnerability in doing this kind of interview I feel Craig was still holding back a lot and would have more to say over the course of a few chats

What a wonderful human being , loved this interview ❤️ xx

Saw Craig David live twice in New York - the energy was unmatched! Loved this.

I grew up with Craig David’s music and it was def unique for its time. This was a great interview. You def learn when you leave each relationship . You have to go through heartbreak a couple times to finally open up your heart ❤

Loved this interview 💛. Listened to Craig David growing up. Seems like such a genuine guy who isn’t afraid to be vulnerable! More men need to be fearless in opening up and talking about their emotions. Good luck to him! Great interview!

These are two good dudes rubbing minds together, educating and inspiring us all. Thank you so much Steven. Got to discover you a month ago from Dragons Dens, but I can’t get enough of you since then my Naija brother.

Mr Craig David is absolutely awesome and amazing talent and wise beyond his years! I love his music so much and bought his CD years ago and I’m 64 years old! I get his music and where he’s coming from and I can relate in some ways! The young gentleman ❤is wonderful talent and so very blessed in many ways and Craig you have come into your own and letting it all out and sharing! Thank You!

Great talk, so genuine and honest. Saw Craig last weekend in Birmingham, THE… BEST… SHOW! He sounds amazing live and so,so humble! Just want to hug him 🙂🙂 Thanks, Steven for inviting him! 🙌🏼👏🏼

My favourite one so far. Love how Craig is in tune with his feelings and is able to express them so openly.

Absolutely loved this. one of my all time fave artists, the most incredible songwriter, singer, vibe etc. and such a lovely humble guy. Steven - so good. Thanks both of you for such a super open talk, it was lovely to hear all about Craig’s journey thus far.

What a genuine humble humble man.

So much respect for Graig David and his keeping his feet on the ground...even through depression...such talent...God bless him, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ...Amen.

All I know is when I was 11 years old, I was in love with Craig David. From songs like “Fill me in” , 7day and “Walking away”. I also remember being excited when I saw his house on MTV cribs. Especially, when he played Garnett Silk song. 😔😮‍💨 Memories. When life was so simple and easy for me🥹.

Watched this off the back of going to see Craig David at the BIC in Bournemouth the other night. Every song took me back so much. Such an incredible show and performance and my man's not lost a step on stage 👌. So interested to hear the back story. My favourite thing was the constant reminder that when you're in the right place, doing the right things, the universe becomes totally in sync for you and feels right! Found this myself. Loved hearing this. Keep going my man 👌👍🙏

I love all what you release on diary of a CEO. But this episode was absolutely off the scales! The vulnerability of Craig and how he navigated through the difficult years and how he came out of the other side with positivity and the same drive he had back in his early years. Thank you for sharing this beautiful episode! ❤️

Absolutely loved this one, thankyou. A fan of Craig from the early years. Love his story and love how you let your guests freely tell their story. You always ask detailed questions that people don't really think about. Just love your podcast.

Really enjoyed this, when I discovered Craig David I was stationed in the Air Force in Europe. I played Get Through This very loudly! Which definitely helped a young single Airman face the day.

Really enjoyed listening to this how passionate he is about music and heartfelt honesty. The places he listed just brought me right back to my raving days. I used to play this album on repeat now play it to my own teenager. Great to see him still doing his thing throughout the whole journey. Thanks Steven

Just seen this podcast, thanks so much for sharing, always followed Craig David and was insightful to see the other side of what you perceive as such a confident man, really interesting, I recently bought Craig’s book and read the whole thing in one day, thanks for inviting Craig onto and thought he was so open and honest

Gosh I love his music! Played his best collection just the other day. He's so right on the spiritual level as much ss understanding your own body.

Great podcast. One question though, why is the Leigh Francis Bo Selecta stuff never mentioned in any of his interviews? I feel like that was the main association to him for half a decade at least, for good or bad.

Really enjoyed this conversation. God I remember when Craig David burst on the seen taking me back to my twenties. He truly has evolved into a beautiful soul.

Another incredible guest! I bought 'Born To Do It' 22 years ago and it's still one of my favourite albums of all time. I actually had to pause the interview, listen to 7 days and then come back and finish watching!!. Thank You both. Looking forward to June 24th!!

I'm a huge Craig David fan, I have most of his CDs, I recently brought the new CD I can't wait to listen to it. I would love to meet Craig one day, I just love his smile, he is so handsome, and that accent 😍.

the beauty of an authentic self-aware soul in the talent that is Craig David. Such a joy to experience. Props to Steven and team. 🙏

Great to see Craig’s growth and self awareness. Really commendable.

Enjoyed this conversation. DNA part 2 took me back to "Born to do it" and I'm looking forward to hearing Craig get back to his roots of connecting with that feel again. His humility, and grounding in who is, is what makes him such a solid artist.

I watched Craig perform live in Cape Town. Was one of the best concerts ever. His live voice sounds exactly like on his albums. Legend

Can tell that Steven is really tuned into and listening to Craig because he's said much less than he ever does in an interview. My favourite interview yet. Craig is such a gorgeous Soul. x

Been waiting for this. Simply fantastic. Takes two to make a great interview, and here we have the ingredients. Thank you.

Yes absolutely love Craig David. ❤ Fantastic interview thank you😊

Wow. Just listened to this interview. Being a fan of Craig David in early 2000 and getting back to listen to his music in 2022, I have found that behind music and voice there is a beautiful soul. I really appreciate his openness in this interview and i learned so much about craig as a person, some of stories gave me insights. Last part is very emotional . THANK YOU

This was a heartwarming interview, so many take aways. I honestly am so glad I bumped into this channel, it’s got me on the internet more than I like but the content is just bomb!

Sort of has changed my life. I dont know why since it isnt that deep, but i’ve sensed something in me has changed for the better. Thanks so much for this podcast!

Guests I'd love to see on this podcast: 1. James Corden 2. Kaya Scodelario 3. Zayn 4. Caster Semenya 5. Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Steven there are these moments in life when you know this was placed in your hand at the right moment. This was one of those moments. I’ve been watching your channel for a while now, before Dragons Den, but I can honestly say that you and your team are dishing up platters of life changing edibles. Fantastic content.

Thank you so much Mr Bartlett & your team 🙌 Thank you Craig David for sharing your life journey . Very inspirational & very grounded (for want of a better word) 🤗

Born to do it was my first cd I bought with my first pay check and it got played over and over it kinda shaped my late teens, it's great to listen to Craig's story and how his life unfolded, just seen him live in Nottingham....loved every second of it.

This is amazing I've never seen such an open chat with him

Really loved the conversation even more lovely to witness a brotherhood being formed.

Human Nature - One of my favourite songs too. The Michael Jackson influence was strong. I remember when Craig dropped his first album. Great episode.

It is one of those conversations that could have left us speechless. Well done!!

One of the best podcasts I've listened to in a while. Its really good to know his story now! Craig David is my day 1 💝

The best interview I have seen of Craig since his introduction on the scene. Great job!

This was beautiful to watch Craig. Thank you for being so transparent and honest.

At last... the interview I needed from the man. Been waiting for an in depth interview w/ Craig for the LONGEST. This is it!!! Great stuff

This has been my favorite 1. I love Craig David. I love him even more after this

Maybe I've never been good to talk about him , but I believe that all my words will never be enough to prove how much love I've felt for years. I also wrote a song for him simply entitled "June" some years ago (the month I saw his live show for the first time) as I wanted to summarize how much his music has impacted in my life and to thank him for the music dream he has never stopped being for me. After him I wasn't able (or I didn't want) to feel so many emotions together for any other singer or musician I've known or heard in my life. It all has happened just once for him. I was so young and after many years I still have a lump in my throat as I think about it. It's an unconditional love I've been living silently and at a distance, but Living for music everyday is the only means that makes me feel a little less far from him. I wish him the best ❤️

what a great awakening he has, nice to see him speak so clear on the same path so happy to hear words like this

Such a wonderful interview-love the connection you guys created 🙏🏾💕

I am in tears Steven. I wasn't expecting that, it unearthed what I am suppressing right now. My daughter is into music and taught me a lot, however I wish I know how she doing in life and music. Thank you Steven, well done and much appreciated for your podcast.

What an incredible guest! His body of work spans 4 decades & shows his tenacity & resilience as much as his immense creativity & talent. Bravo to you both! ☀️🥳🎶💫

Just attended the Hold That Thought concert yesterday at the O2 and oh man what an amazing performance Craig gave!!💫💫💫.

One of the best interviews Ive ever watched👍🏼