He's 19 and poised to take on the world--but he's actually taken over most of the world already. Pop-soul balladeer Craig David has been a huge sensation in his native UK and all over Europe (he was nominated for three Brit Awards this year), but his US debut, Born To Do It, won't be out in the U.S. until June. He's on a media blitz at the moment and Atlantic Records has been pouring the big bucks into Craig's publicity campaign, having flown many New York-based journalists to London to interview and catch his shows at Wembley Arena, and having two soirees in his honor at the $6,000-per-night Henry Hudson Hotel penthouse.

The affable Brit told us last week at the Atlantic offices, "There's been concern about how to market me. Everyone's like, 'Pop or R&B?' I think they are going to go for both. In England, there is not a division of the charts between pop and R&B--there's just one chart. And I don't think there's any one certain demographic I appeal to." The chiseled crooner goes on to joke that he's a native of Southampton, England--the port where the Titanic headed out of in 1912. "If I don't make it in the US, people are going to laugh and say, 'He went down like the Titanic.' And that would hit close to home (pardon the pun)!"

We highly doubt someone with Craig's smooth moves and grooves would "sink." He laughs, "You never know in this country, but I feel confident that the songs that were hits at home, when released here, will do just as well."

As for his goals? "Well, they're pretty modest. Being a DJ originally, I still have my love for vinyl, and every trip I take to New York requires me to buy a new suitcase just to ship home all the new records I bought. I take pride in having a world-class collection. Ditto with tennis shoes--I cleaned out a Foot Locker the last time I came here. Seriously though, I just hope for my debut album to blow up in the US, to be able to tour, and then to manage and give songs to other artists. I guess I don't want anything out of the ordinary for someone about to release their debut album on these shores."

Craig sites Prince (whom he is a taller, more muscular version of) as a major influence, as well as a lot of one-hit British dance band wonders. "I still go to the clubs to see what the kids are dancing to and I think if you don't keep your fingers on the pulse of what's happening on the street level, your own music can sound tired." He goes on to state that "each town in the U.S. has its own beat which I have always found intriguing."

Is there a down side to being touted as "the next big thing" by a major record label? The singer/songwriter chuckles, "Well, you don't get much sleep because they have you going on appointments and appearances all day. And you need more energy than the average bloke. People always ask me where I get my energy and it's from a very specific low-fat diet that focuses on beans, chicken, fish and bread. Every fourth day I get two ounces of cheese just to jolt my system. It's funny because you get to certain countries on tour, and you can't get the exact beans or whatever you need for this eating plan. But it's worth it for the energy I get. I have to stay up after the shows to meet people every night."

As we go to press, we hear rumors that Craig might be moving to New York or LA so he can feel closer to the people he wants to conquer and befriend, but the record company says he has not found a place to live here yet. With his 3,000 plus record collection, we suggest he just ask a Virgin Megastore in Times Store to rent him out their basement. He was born to inhale every kind of music there is and make it part of his own funky yetromantic sound. Nuff said?

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