Twenty-five years ago, a then largely unknown Craig David released his debut album, Born To Do It, fundamentally shifting the landscape of UK garage and British R&B. To commemorate the enduring impact of the record, Craig David is celebrating its legacy with the release of Born To Do It: 25th Anniversary Edition, available now on digital platforms and special double-vinyl formats.
The album, which debuted straight at UK #1, became the fastest-selling debut by a British male solo artist. Building on the success of his breakthrough collaboration ‘Rewind’ with Artful Dodger, the record launched iconic #1 singles ‘Fill Me In’ and ‘7 Days,’ along with the hit ‘Walking Away.’
By the time the album era concluded, David had secured three Ivor Novellos, four MOBO Awards, and earned Grammy nominations, cementing his status as a global phenomenon. It achieved 6x Platinum certification in the UK and gained Platinum status in the US, Australia, and beyond.
The 25th Anniversary Edition boosts the original tracklist with a wealth of additional material, much of which is making its digital debut. This includes rare b-sides and remixes from influential producers like DJ Premier (with a classic remix of ‘7 Days’ featuring Mos Def), Blacksmith, Artful Dodger, and Sunship. The package also adds two songs from the US version of the album: ‘Key To My Heart’ and ‘Fill Me In (Part 2).’
Reflecting on the milestone, Craig David shared: “25 years ago, my world changed. ‘Born to Do It’ was released and the life I’d only imagined as a kid became reality... I grew up on a council estate, writing songs that carried my dreams, never imagining they would one day take flight.” He also paid tribute to collaborator Mark Hill, stating, “I’ll always treasure our time in the studio and the magic we created.”
To mark the occasion live, David will perform the entire album from start-to-finish at London’s Eventim Apollo. The first date on April 9th sold out in hours, prompting the addition of a second 25th Anniversary Show on April 10th.
Born To Do It: 25th Anniversary Edition is out now, available in gold double-vinyl and a special picture disc exclusively via Craig David’s official store.
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