NEWS
Craig David joins Usher onstage for surprise duet at London’s O2 Arena in a celebration of R&B legacy
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In a moment that lit up London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night, Craig David made a surprise appearance during Usher’s fourth stop on his Past Present Future tour — sending shockwaves of excitement through the packed crowd. The unexpected duet was more than just a musical treat; it was a full-circle moment for Craig David, who has long cited Usher as one of his greatest inspirations.
Fresh off his own successful Commitment arena tour, Craig stepped into the spotlight with his iconic 2000 debut single Fill Me In, sparking cheers from thousands of fans. The energy soared when Usher joined him onstage for a collaborative performance of 7 Days, marking a rare and unforgettable union of two R&B titans.
Reflecting on the experience, Craig shared, “It was a full-circle moment and such a beautiful thing. Having grown up listening to Usher, I was like, wow — what an incredible voice, what an amazing artist. To have just performed at the O2 on my own tour, and then get the call from Usher just a few weeks later — what a way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Born To Do It.”
The performance wasn’t just a celebration of hits — it was a powerful nod to the shared history between the two artists. Craig fondly recalled an early encounter with Usher at Skyrock Radio in France during the early 2000s, when his breakout single was gaining international traction. “Usher was performing You Make Me Wanna, and I got to riff off that and sing some of his songs. He sang Fill Me In too. That moment stayed with me.”
Saturday night’s appearance brought that moment full-circle. “The second I walked out on stage, the roar of the crowd was something else,” Craig added. “I looked over at Usher, and he was showing me so much love. Hearing his voice on 7 Days — it was just magic. The crowd received me in such a beautiful way. Wow, what a night.”
For fans of both artists — and of the R&B genre they helped shape — the surprise duet was more than a performance. It was a celebration of mutual respect, artistic legacy, and the enduring impact of UK and US R&B.
Since his breakout with Born To Do It, a landmark album that brought UK Garage to the mainstream and established Craig David as a pioneering voice in British music, Craig has remained a cornerstone of UK pop and R&B. With over two decades of hits and influence under his belt, his collaboration with Usher was a reminder of the timelessness of his sound — and the unbreakable bonds forged through music.
Fresh off his own successful Commitment arena tour, Craig stepped into the spotlight with his iconic 2000 debut single Fill Me In, sparking cheers from thousands of fans. The energy soared when Usher joined him onstage for a collaborative performance of 7 Days, marking a rare and unforgettable union of two R&B titans.
The performance wasn’t just a celebration of hits — it was a powerful nod to the shared history between the two artists. Craig fondly recalled an early encounter with Usher at Skyrock Radio in France during the early 2000s, when his breakout single was gaining international traction. “Usher was performing You Make Me Wanna, and I got to riff off that and sing some of his songs. He sang Fill Me In too. That moment stayed with me.”
Saturday night’s appearance brought that moment full-circle. “The second I walked out on stage, the roar of the crowd was something else,” Craig added. “I looked over at Usher, and he was showing me so much love. Hearing his voice on 7 Days — it was just magic. The crowd received me in such a beautiful way. Wow, what a night.”
For fans of both artists — and of the R&B genre they helped shape — the surprise duet was more than a performance. It was a celebration of mutual respect, artistic legacy, and the enduring impact of UK and US R&B.
Since his breakout with Born To Do It, a landmark album that brought UK Garage to the mainstream and established Craig David as a pioneering voice in British music, Craig has remained a cornerstone of UK pop and R&B. With over two decades of hits and influence under his belt, his collaboration with Usher was a reminder of the timelessness of his sound — and the unbreakable bonds forged through music.
