Dave (rapper)
{{Short description|British rapper (born 1998)}}
{{About|the British rapper|other uses|Dave (disambiguation)}}
{{redirect|Dave Omoregie|the Welsh track and field hurdler|David Omoregie}}
{{use British English|date=November 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Dave
| image = Santan Dave (cropped) 2.jpg
| caption = Dave performing in 2019
| birth_name = David Orobosa Michael Omoregie
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|06|05|df=y}}
| birth_place = Brixton, London, England
| origin =
| alias = {{flatlist|
- Santan Dave
- Santan
}}
| occupations = {{flatlist|
- Rapper
- singer
- songwriter
- record producer
- actor
}}
| years_active = 2015–present
| website = {{URL|santandave.com}}
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| label = {{flatlist|
- Neighbourhood
- UMG
}}
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
}}
}}
David Orobosa Michael Omoregie (born 5 June 1998), known professionally as Dave or Santan Dave, is a British rapper and actor. He is known for his socially conscious lyricism and wordplay.
Dave released his debut extended play Six Paths in 2016, after the release of several successful singles including the grime song "Thiago Silva" (with AJ Tracey). That same year, Canadian rapper Drake premiered a remix of Dave's song "Wanna Know" on the former's OVO Sound Radio. Dave released his second EP Game Over in 2017. In 2018, his political song "Question Time", which directed criticism towards the British Government, won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song. Released that same year, his single "Funky Friday" (featuring Fredo), became his first number-one song on the UK Singles Chart and received triple platinum certification by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
Dave's debut studio album, Psychodrama (2019), was met with widespread critical acclaim and debuted atop the UK Albums Chart, having the biggest first-week streams for a UK rap album thus far. It won the Mercury Prize, as well as Album of the Year at the 2020 Brit Awards. He made his acting debut in the third season of the Netflix series Top Boy, which premiered in September 2019. His second album, We're All Alone in This Together (2021), was met with continued critical success and became his second UK number-one album. His 2022 single, "Starlight", became his second song to peak the UK singles chart, and first to do so as a solo artist. His 2023 single, "Sprinter" (with Central Cee), was his third and longest-running number-one song and served as lead single for their collaborative EP, Split Decision (2023).
Early life and personal life
David Orobosa Omoregie{{Cite news |title=Dave Lyrics, Songs and Albums |work=Genius |url=https://genius.com/artists/Dave |url-status=live |access-date=8 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406230815/https://genius.com/artists/Dave |archive-date=6 April 2018}} was born on 5 June 1998 in the Brixton area of South London,{{Cite web|title=Dave: Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dave-mn0003557905/biography|access-date=5 August 2020|website=AllMusic|language=en-us}} His father, Frank Omoregie, is a pastor and his mother, Juliet Doris Omoregie, a nurse.{{Cite interview |interviewer-last=Dean |interviewer-first=Jonathan|last=Dave |date=8 August 2021 |title=Dave, the rapper and voice of a generation, on his new album We're All Alone in This Together |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/dave-the-rapper-and-voice-of-a-generation-on-his-new-album-were-all-alone-in-this-together-592gjr62d |access-date=30 March 2022 |website=The Sunday Times| url-access=subscription}} He has two older brothers, Benjamin and Christopher, who are eight and five years older than him, respectively.{{Cite web |date=3 March 2019 |title=Dave: 'Black is confusing… where does the line start and stop?' |url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/mar/03/dave-psychodrama-interview-black-is-confusing |access-date=30 March 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en}} Dave's father was deported to Nigeria when Dave was just a few months old due to visa issues; he had believed he was travelling on a missionary visa but was actually on a visitor's visa.{{Cite web |date=17 August 1997 |title=Rich and poor unite to fight expulsion of Nigerian priest |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/rich-and-poor-unite-to-fight-expulsion-of-nigerian-priest-1246058.html |website=Independent.co.uk}}{{Cite web |title=Parish in battle for minister and family |url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/6499737.parish-in-battle-for-minister-and-family/ |access-date=11 May 2022 |website=News Shopper |date=15 August 1998 |language=en}} Dave's mother fled with his brothers in fear of being deported, and was not reunited with Dave until three months later. The family was then left homeless for a period and lived on South London's buses.{{Cite web |last=Jennn |first=London |date=24 February 2022 |title=U.K Rapper Dave Shares His Journey Going From Living On Buses To The Red Carpet |url=https://allhiphop.com/news/u-k-rapper-dave-shares-his-journey-going-from-living-on-buses-to-the-red-carpet/ |access-date=11 May 2022 |website=AllHipHop |language=en-US}}
Dave moved to Streatham, South London, from nearby Brixton at the age of seven.{{Citation |title=1: Dave |date=11 September 2018 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/7lmShKSIlVdBs9HvHe9uYp |language=en |access-date=1 April 2022}} He began composing music at an early age; he started writing lyrics at 11 after watching his older brother practise rapping at home and he taught himself piano after receiving an electric keyboard from his mother for Christmas when he was 14.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-radar/dave-interview-rapper-2157944-2157944|title=Dave: the genre-splicing rapper talks meeting Drake and his debut album|date=10 November 2017|work=NME|access-date=15 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025526/http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-radar/dave-interview-rapper-2157944-2157944|archive-date=16 February 2018|url-status=live}} Both of Dave's older brothers were in prison throughout his teenage years. When Dave was 11, his brother Christopher was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 18 years, under the law of joint enterprise, for his involvement in the March 2010 gang murder of 15-year-old Sofyen Belamouadden at London Victoria station.{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Kathleen |date=8 December 2018 |title=Dave interview: meet the British rapper set for stardom |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/dave-interview-2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225103012/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/dave-interview-2018 |archive-date=25 February 2019 |access-date=24 February 2019 |work=GQ Magazine}}{{Cite web |last=Heaf |first=Jonathan |title=Dave: 'Psychodrama was the album that I needed it to be, the album that was expected of me' |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/men-of-the-year/article/dave-music-interview-2019 |access-date=30 March 2022 |website=British GQ |date=4 September 2019 |language=en-GB}} Then, in 2014, when Dave was 15, his other brother Benjamin went to prison for four years for robbery. He was released in 2018.{{Cite web |last=Collins |first= Hattie |date=12 April 2018 |title=Dave is leading the new rap revolution |url=https://i-d.co/article/dave-the-new-fashion-rebels-issue/ |access-date=30 March 2022 |website=i-D |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Infer Trust - Incident Details |url=http://www.infertrust.org/incident_details.asp?content_id=11117 |access-date=1 April 2022 |website=www.infertrust.org}}
Dave attended St Mark's Academy in Mitcham, and Richmond upon Thames College in Twickenham, where he studied law, philosophy and ethics, while also completing an additional module in sound design and politics. He secured a place at De Montfort University in Leicester to study law but never attended, choosing instead to focus on his musical career.{{cite news|url=http://www.thefader.com/2017/01/30/dave-interview-wanna-know-gen-f|title=Meet Dave, U.K. Rap's Emotional Young Voice|work=The FADER|access-date=15 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215135945/http://www.thefader.com/2017/01/30/dave-interview-wanna-know-gen-f|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=live}}
Dave is an avid supporter of Manchester United F.C.{{cite news|last=Sawyer|first=Miranda|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/dec/21/dave-rapper-marcus-rashford-music-and-football-go-hand-in-hand|title=Dave meets Marcus Rashford: 'I rate you so highly because you take football seriously'|date=21 December 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=5 April 2021}}
Music career
= 2017–2018: ''Game Over'' and Singles =
{{Main|Game Over (EP)}}
Throughout 2017, Dave released a series of non-album singles. The track "Samantha" with J Hus peaked at 63 on the Official Singles Chart, becoming the third biggest song to not chart in the top 40 in 2017,{{Cite news|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-biggest-songs-that-missed-the-top-40-in-the-first-half-of-2017__19641/|title=The biggest songs that missed the Top 40 in the first half of 2017|access-date=15 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216030943/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-biggest-songs-that-missed-the-top-40-in-the-first-half-of-2017__19641/|archive-date=16 February 2018|url-status=live}} Dave also released the tracks "Revenge", "Tequila", and "100M's", the latter of which featured on Nike's Born Mercurial advert in 2018.{{Cite web |date=11 February 2018 |title=Nike Mercurial Superfly 360 & Vapor 360 Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr. Commercial Song |url=https://commercial-song.net/2018/02/nike-mercurial-superfly-360-vapor-360-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-jr-commercial-song/ |access-date=1 April 2022 |website=Commercial Song |language=en-US}} Dave made his television debut in May on BBC's Later... with Jools Holland where he performed his song ‘Picture Me’ alongside playing the piano.{{Cite web |date=17 May 2017 |title=Watch Dave's powerful Jools Holland performance |url=https://crackmagazine.net/2017/05/watch-daves-powerful-jools-holland-performance/ |access-date=19 May 2022 |website=Crack Magazine}}
Dave toured throughout the first half of the year performing a few sold-out headline shows in the UK including two nights at O2 Academy Islington and making his first appearances at festivals such as Wireless and Reading and Leeds Festival.{{Cite web |last=Shine |first=Joe |date=20 December 2016 |title=Santan Dave confirms additional date |url=https://grimenewsblog.wordpress.com/2016/12/20/santan-dave-confirms-additional-date/ |access-date=9 May 2022 |website=GRIME NEWS |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=11 July 2017 |title=Skepta and Dave at Wireless, Finsbury Park - review |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/skepta-dave-wireless-festival-finsbury-park-review-yungen-grime-saturday-music-gig-live-a7835086.html |access-date=9 May 2022 |website=The Independent |language=en}} He also toured North America for the first time on a joint tour with AJ Tracey.{{Cite web |last=Bingham |first=Jaguar |date=11 February 2017 |title=DAVE AND AJ TRACEY ARE TOURING NORTH AMERICA AND CANADA |url=https://mixmag.net/read/dave-and-aj-tracey-are-touring-north-america-and-canada-news |access-date=9 May 2022}}
On 9 October 2017, Dave announced his second extended play, Game Over.{{cite web |date=9 October 2017 |title=Dave announces 'Game Over' EP and UK Tour |url=http://thelinkup.com/santandave1-announces-game-over-ep-and-uk-tour/ |access-date=4 November 2017 |publisher=Link Up TV }}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The EP was preceded by the track "Question Time". During the song Dave hosts his own "Question Time" posing pointed questions directly at the Prime Minister at that time, Theresa May, the former PM, David Cameron, and the then leader of the Labour Party in 2017, Jeremy Corbyn.{{Cite web |title="Question Time" by Santan Dave |url=https://sosmusicmedia.com/music-that-matters/2018/3/18/question-time-by-santan-dave |access-date=1 April 2022 |website=Society of Sound Media |language=en-US}} The EP Game Over was released on 3 November 2017 independently for streaming and digital download alongside the single "No Words".{{Cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/11/dave-game-over-ep-new-video-for-no-words/|title=Dave Drops 'Game Over' EP and New Video for No Words - XXL|website=XXL Mag|date=4 November 2017 |access-date=15 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025511/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/11/dave-game-over-ep-new-video-for-no-words/|archive-date=16 February 2018|url-status=live}} Game Over debuted at number 13 on the UK Albums Chart and 'No Words' debuted at 18 before eventually peaking at 17 on 11 January 2018.{{Cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/50333/dave/|title=DAVE {{!}} full Official Chart History {{!}} Official Charts Company|website=www.officialcharts.com|access-date=15 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217071624/http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/50333/dave/|archive-date=17 February 2018|url-status=live}} Following the release of the EP Dave toured a sold-out tour in the UK and Australia, the latter of which he was touring for the first time.{{Cite web |last=Franks |first=Richard |date=1 December 2017 |title=Review: Rising rapper Dave brings his Game Over EP to Birmingham |url=https://counteract.co/music/reviews/live/review-rising-rapper-dave-brings-his-game-over-ep-to-birmingham/ |access-date=9 May 2022 |website=Counteract – News {{!}} Music {{!}} Film {{!}} Food |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=8 November 2018 |title=Dave |url=https://www.grimelist.de/dave-berlin/ |access-date=9 May 2022 |website=Grimelist - Berlin {{!}} Hamburg {{!}} Vienna |language=en-US}}
Dave won his first MOBO Award for the Best Newcomer Act at the 2017 ceremony on 29 November 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://beta.mobo.com/winners/2017|title=2017 WINNERS {{!}} MOBO Organisation|website=beta.mobo.com|access-date=30 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032731/http://beta.mobo.com/winners/2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}} He received his first Brit Award nomination for British Breakthrough Act at the 2018 Brit Awards which he lost out to Dua Lipa.{{Cite magazine |last=Iasimone |first=Ashley |date=14 January 2018 |title=Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran Lead Brit Awards 2018 Nominations |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/brit-awards-nominees-list-2018-8094236/ |access-date=31 March 2022 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} Dave also became the youngest ever winner of an Ivor Novello Award at the age of 19, winning Best Contemporary Song for his politically charged track "Question Time" at the 2018 Awards.{{cite news |date=31 May 2018 |title=Ivor Novello Awards: Rapper Dave wins for political anthem Question Time |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44318307 |url-status=live |access-date=2 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702034344/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44318307 |archive-date=2 July 2019}}{{Cite web |date=5 March 2019 |title=Youngest ever winner of an Ivor Novello Award, Dave announces UK headline tour |url=https://www.manchestersfinest.com/music/youngest-ever-winner-ivor-novello-award-dave-announces-uk-headline-tour/ |access-date=3 May 2022 |website=Manchester's Finest |language=en-GB}}
Dave put out his first single after the release of his Game Over EP with the track "Hangman" on 27 February 2018.{{Citation|last=Santan Dave|title=Dave - Hangman|date=27 February 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAS8zQt6Wik|access-date=3 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627152818/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAS8zQt6Wik|archive-date=27 June 2018|url-status=live}} In the autumn Dave embarked on his first ever tour of Europe.{{Cite web |last=Embley |first=Jochan |date=25 September 2018 |title=Dave is going to tour Europe for the first time ever |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/dave-announces-first-ever-european-tour-for-2018-how-to-get-tickets-a3944806.html |access-date=9 May 2022 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}} After a seven-month hiatus, Dave released the self-produced track "Funky Friday", featuring rapper Fredo, on 4 October 2018. The song debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, being only the third song to do so in 2018. It became the first song by a British rapper to peak at number one on the UK Singles Chart as a lead artist since 2015.{{Cite web |title=Dave and Fredo Make History As 'Funky Friday' Becomes Their First UK Number One |url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/0yu5sg/dave-and-fredo-make-history-as-funky-friday-is-their-first-uk-number-one |access-date=6 April 2022 |website=www.mtv.co.uk |language=en}} This feat also meant that Dave secured his first ever number one single, as well as his first Top 10 single.{{Cite news|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/daves-funky-friday-ft-fredo-debuts-at-number-1-im-speechless-right-now-__24437/|title=Dave "speechless" as Funky Friday debuts at Number 1|access-date=12 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107163221/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/daves-funky-friday-ft-fredo-debuts-at-number-1-im-speechless-right-now-__24437/|archive-date=7 January 2019|url-status=live}}
= 2019–2020: ''Psychodrama'' =
{{Main|Psychodrama (album)}}
In January 2019, Dave collaborated with UK rapper Headie One, featuring on the track "18Hunna" which charted at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart.{{Cite web |date=13 January 2019 |title=The factors behind Headie One charting with '18HUNNA' |url=https://www.plugsville.com/18hunna-headie-one-factors-charting/ |access-date=9 May 2022 |website=Plugsville |language=en-GB}} Dave also collaborated again with Fredo, featuring on his track "All I Ever Wanted" off of Fredo's album Third Avenue.{{Cite web |date=1 February 2019 |title=Fredo + Dave - All I Ever Wanted {{!}} Music Video |url=https://conversationsabouther.net/fredo-dave-all-i-ever-wanted-music-video/ |access-date=9 May 2022 |website=Conversations About HER |language=en-US}}
Dave announced his long-anticipated debut album Psychodrama on 21 February 2019.{{Cite web |date=22 February 2019 |title=Watch Dave's powerful new video for 'Black' as he announces debut album 'Psychodrama' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/dave-new-video-black-debut-album-psychodrama-stormzy-raheem-sterling-2452718 |access-date=31 March 2022 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} Alongside the announcement he released the lead single "Black", which discusses what it means to be black in its complexities; his pride and celebration of being black alongside the challenges that black people face.{{Cite web |last=H |date=8 March 2019 |title=The blacker the berry… – why are people so upset by Dave's new single? |url=https://thereload.blog/2019/03/08/the-blacker-the-berry-why-are-people-so-upset-by-daves-new-song/ |access-date=31 March 2022 |website=The Reload |language=en}} The video for the song included many prominent black British figures with Damson Idris, Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon, Dina Asher-Smith, Ozwald Boateng, Raheem Sterling, Stormzy, Micheal Ward and Tiffany Calver all appearing.{{Cite web |date=21 February 2019 |title=Dave Just Dropped His New Single "Black" and Announces Debut Album 'Psychodrama' |url=https://versus.uk.com/2019/02/dave-just-dropped-new-single-black-announces-debut-album-psychodrama/ |access-date=31 March 2022 |website=VERSUS |language=en-GB}}
His debut album Psychodrama was released on 8 March 2019. The album debuted at number one in the UK, selling 26,390 copies in its first week, with 79% of its total generated by 26.3 million streams. This gave it the biggest first-week streams for a British rap album, eclipsing Stormzy's Gang Signs & Prayer. Elsewhere, the songs "Disaster", "Streatham", and "Location" debuted at 8, 9, and 11, respectively on the UK Singles Chart.{{cite web |title=Dave set to dominate this week's Official Singles Chart with three new entries |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/dave-s-psychodrama-debuts-at-number-1-in-incredibly-close-official-albums-chart-battle-against-foals__25810/ |website=Official Charts |access-date=16 March 2019 |date=11 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405225324/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/dave-s-psychodrama-debuts-at-number-1-in-incredibly-close-official-albums-chart-battle-against-foals__25810/ |archive-date=5 April 2019 |url-status=live }} Psychodrama is currently one of the top 100 highest-rated hip-hop albums on Metacritic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/browse/albums/score/metascore/all/filtered|title=Best Music and Albums of All Time|website=Metacritic|access-date=8 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406225640/https://www.metacritic.com/browse/albums/score/metascore/all/filtered|archive-date=6 April 2019|url-status=live}}
In April 2019, "Paper Cuts" which was described as drill style,{{cite web|url=https://grmdaily.com/11-essential-dave-tunes/|title=GRM EXCLUSIVE: 11 ESSENTIAL DAVE TUNES|publisher=GRM Daily|date=21 July 2021|access-date=28 April 2022}} was previewed on Instagram.{{cite web | title=Dave – Paper Cuts | website=Genius | date=7 November 2019 | url=https://genius.com/Dave-paper-cuts-lyrics | access-date=5 January 2024}}
The tracks "Disaster", featuring J Hus, and "Location", featuring Burna Boy, both produced by Jae5, alongside Fraser T. Smith and Dave, were officially released as singles off the album in July 2019.{{Cite web |last=TotalNtertainment |date=16 July 2019 |title=Dave Releases Brand New Video for 'Location' (ft Burna Boy) |url=https://www.totalntertainment.com/music/dave-releases-brand-new-video-for-location-ft-burna-boy/ |access-date=1 April 2022 |website=TotalNtertainment |language=en-GB}} Both tracks went platinum with "Location" becoming one of Dave's biggest tracks to date, having been BPI certified 4× platinum with 1,800,000 units sold by October 2021.{{cite certification|region=United Kingdom|access-date=14 May 2023|artist=Dave}}
Following the release of the album, Dave embarked on his first UK headline tour since 2017, which included two nights at Brixton Academy.{{Cite web |title=Gigs And Tours News |url=https://www.gigsandtours.com/news/dave-announces-uk-headline-tour-including-two-nights-at-o2-brixton-academy-this-may/3578 |access-date=3 May 2022 |website=Gigs and Tours |language=en}} He also went on to tour Australia, Europe, and North America.{{Cite web |title=Tour |url=https://santandave.com/pages/tour |access-date=3 May 2022 |website=Santan Dave |language=en |archive-date=18 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518025446/https://santandave.com/pages/tour |url-status=dead }}
On 30 June 2019, Dave made his Glastonbury Festival debut.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-48444654|title=Full Glastonbury line-up announced|last=Savage|first=Mark|date=29 May 2019|access-date=30 June 2019|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630171813/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-48444654|archive-date=30 June 2019|url-status=live}} During the performance he brought a fan onstage to perform his song "Thiago Silva" alongside him, which the video of subsequently went viral.{{Cite web |last=Chambers |first=Georgia |date=2 July 2019 |title=Alex Mann denies claims his Glastonbury duet with Dave was staged |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/alex-mann-denies-dave-thiago-silva-glastonbury-duet-staged-a4180466.html |access-date=31 March 2022 |website=www.standard.co.uk |language=en}} Following this the track entered the UK Singles Chart at number 57 and reached a peak of number 36.{{cite web |title=Thiago Silva by Dave and AJ Tracey |url=https://acharts.co/song/123044 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719224120/https://acharts.co/song/123044 |archive-date=19 July 2019 |publisher=acharts.co |accessdate=19 July 2019}} Dave also performed for the first time at Reading and Leeds Festival headlining the BBC Radio 1 Stage.{{Cite web |date=21 August 2019 |title=Check out the stage times for Reading & Leeds Festival 2019 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/reading-leeds-festival-2019-stage-set-performance-times-2537332 |access-date=1 April 2022 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}
Dave made his acting debut in Netflix's revival and third series of Top Boy, playing the character Modie.{{Cite web |title=Dave and Little Simz star in moody first look at Netflix's Top Boy revival |url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/dave-and-little-simz-star-in-moody-first-look-at-netflixs-top-boy-revival-38375797.html |access-date=31 March 2022 |website=independent |date=5 August 2019 |language=en}} He released two tracks, "Professor X" and "God's Eye", for the soundtrack, which were both self-produced.{{Cite web |title=Top Boy Season 3 Soundtrack Released: Featuring Drake, Dave, Giggs, Lil Simz And More |url=https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/latest-top-boy-soundtrack-album-behind-barz-by-drake-20190913 |access-date=3 May 2022 |website=www.ladbible.com|date=13 September 2019 }}
On 19 September 2019, Dave won the 2019 Mercury Prize for his debut album Psychodrama.{{cite news|first1=Alexis|last1=Petridis|access-date=20 September 2019|title=From Dave's deserved win to anti-Boris chants, this was a classic Mercury prize|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/sep/19/from-dave-deserved-win-to-anti-boris-chants-classic-mercury-prize|newspaper=The Guardian|date=19 September 2019|issn=0261-3077|via=www.theguardian.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920064333/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/sep/19/from-dave-deserved-win-to-anti-boris-chants-classic-mercury-prize|archive-date=20 September 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first1=Mark|last1=Savage|access-date=20 September 2019|title=Dave wins Mercury Prize for his album Psychodrama|work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49754224|date=19 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920154331/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49754224|archive-date=20 September 2019|url-status=live}} Dave also won British Album of the Year at the 2020 Brit Awards.{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Molli |date=21 February 2020 |title=Brit Awards 2020: Who is rapper Dave? What did he say at the Brit Awards? |url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1244384/Brit-Awards-2020-rapper-Dave-black-Brits-performance-full-verse-Boris-Johnson-Santan-Dave |access-date=27 February 2020 |website=Express.co.uk |language=en}} This made him only the second artist ever to win both of these awards for the same album.{{Cite web |date=20 September 2019 |title=Seven things to know about Brit Award winner Dave |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-49764402 |access-date=3 May 2022 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}} Dave's performance of the track "Black" at the Brit Awards led to controversy, after he called the then UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson a "real racist" and called out the government over their treatment of the victims of Grenfell Tower and the Windrush generation.{{Cite web |last=Lunny |first=Oisin |title=BRIT Award Winner Dave's Controversial Performance Ignites A National Conversation On Racism |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/oisinlunny/2020/02/19/brit-award-winner-daves-controversial-performance-ignites-a-national-conversation-on-racism/ |access-date=31 March 2022 |website=Forbes |language=en}} The track won Dave another Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song at the 2020 awards.{{Cite web |title=Dave receives second Ivor Novello Award in two years |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/dave-receives-second-ivor-novello-award-in-two-years/amp |access-date=3 May 2022 |website=www.thelineofbestfit.com}} He also won the GQ Men Of The Year Vero Breakthrough Music Act Award at 2019 GQ Men of the Year Awards.{{Cite web |date=3 September 2019 |title=Dave on his GQ Awards win |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/men-of-the-year/article/dave-gq-awards-speech-2019 |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=British GQ |language=en-GB}}
In August 2020, Dave collaborated with Sir David Attenborough for a special episode of Planet Earth entitled Planet Earth: A Celebration, with Dave playing the piano alongside famous composer Hans Zimmer.{{Cite news |title=Planet Earth: Sir David Attenborough and rapper Dave team up - CBBC Newsround |language=en-GB |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/53636258 |access-date=9 April 2022}} In October 2020, Dave collaborated with Fraser T. Smith in the production of Smith's debut album, 12 Questions.{{Cite web|date=18 March 2021|title=RSL Honorary Fellowship: Fraser T Smith|url=https://www.rslawards.com/rsl-fellow-fraser-t-smith/|access-date=22 August 2021|website=RSL Awards|language=en-GB}}
= 2021–2022: ''We're All Alone in This Together'' =
{{Main|We're All Alone in This Together}}
In January 2021, Dave worked again with frequent collaborator Fredo. Dave featured on and produced, Fredo's track "Money Talks" which debuted at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart.{{Cite web |title=Fredo Ft Dave's 'Money Talks,' Reaches Number 3 on UK Singles Charts {{!}} mxdwn.co.uk |url=http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/fredo-ft-daves-money-talks-reaches-number-3-on-uk-singles-charts/ |access-date=1 April 2022 |language=en-US}} The song was a single off Fredo's album Money Can't Buy Happiness which Dave executively produced under the name SANTAN.{{Cite web |last=Adade |first=Aaron |date=1 February 2021 |title=The Breakdown {{!}} Fredo - Money Can't Buy Happiness |url=https://www.creativegenuk.com/single-post/the-breakdown-fredo-money-can-t-buy-happiness |access-date=1 April 2022 |website=CGuk2.0 |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=7 February 2021 |title=An Overview of Fredo's 'Money Can't Buy Happiness' – With Words From Producer Kyle Evans |url=https://www.rxvealed.co.uk/post/an-overview-of-fredo-s-money-can-t-buy-happiness-with-words-from-fellow-producer-kyle-evans |access-date=1 April 2022 |website=Rxvealed |language=en}}
In April 2021, Dave released two songs as a two-track EP, "Titanium", and "Mercury", featuring Kamal, labelled as leftovers from his second album.{{cite web |date=10 April 2021 |title=Dave surprises fans with new tracks 'Titanium' and 'Mercury' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/dave-surprises-fans-with-new-tracks-titanium-and-mercury-2917872 |work=NME |accessdate=23 July 2021}} Two months later, Dave announced his sophomore album, We're All Alone in This Together, alongside its cover art and release date.{{cite web |title=SANTAN on Twitter: "WE'RE ALL ALONE IN THIS TOGETHER. MY SECOND ALBUM. 23rd JULY 2021. PRE-ORDER NOW. |url=https://twitter.com/santandave1/status/1412110060482879491 |access-date=5 July 2021 |via=Twitter}} On 9 July the lead single, "Clash" featuring Stormzy, was released, which peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart.{{cite web |date=9 July 2021 |title=Listen to Dave team up with Stormzy on new track 'Clash' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-dave-team-up-with-stormzy-on-new-track-clash-2989488 |work=NME |accessdate=21 July 2021}} The music video features Dave and Stormzy surrounded by cars at the Aston Martin factory in Warwickshire and driving round the Silverstone Circuit.{{cite web |date=9 July 2021 |title=Listen to Dave team up with Stormzy on new track 'Clash' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-dave-team-up-with-stormzy-on-new-track-clash-2989488 |publisher=NME |accessdate=21 July 2021}} This came after Dave had collaborated with Aston Martin in March 2021, for the launch of their AMR21 Formula 1 car.{{Cite web |title=Aston Martin opens its doors to Santan Dave and Stormzy |url=https://media.astonmartin.com/aston-martin-opens-its-doors-to-santan-dave-and-stormzy/ |access-date=1 April 2022 |website=media.astonmartin.com |date=29 July 2021 |language=en-EN}}
On 23 July 2021, Dave released his second album, We're All Alone in This Together.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/dave-were-all-alone-in-this-together-review-3001456 |title=Dave – 'We're All Alone In This Together' review: stunning sequel lives up to his debut |last= Williams |first=Kyann-Siann |website=NME |date=23 July 2021 |access-date=5 July 2021}} It debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, becoming Dave's second consecutive number one album. It was also Dave's first number-one album on the Scottish Albums Chart and the Irish Albums Chart.{{Cite web |title=Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100 {{!}} Official Charts Company |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/20210730/40/ |access-date=1 April 2022 |website=www.officialcharts.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50 {{!}} Official Charts Company |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/irish-albums-chart/20210730/ie7502/ |access-date=1 April 2022 |website=www.officialcharts.com |language=en}} We're All Alone in This Together sold 74,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, with 43.9% of its total coming from the 38.5 million streams across the 12 tracks, a new record in terms of weekly album streams for a UK rap act.{{Cite web |title=Dave breaks UK rap streaming record and boosts physical market with We're All Alone In This Together |url=https://www.musicweek.com/labels/read/dave-breaks-uk-rap-streaming-record-and-boosts-physical-market-with-we-re-all-alone-in-this-together/083836 |access-date=30 March 2022 |website=www.musicweek.com |language=en}} On the UK Singles Chart the tracks "Clash", "Verdansk", and "In the Fire" reached number 2, 4, and 6, respectively. UK chart rules prevent artists from having more than three songs in the top 40 at once, otherwise data showed that all 12 album tracks would have entered the Top 20.{{Cite news |date=30 July 2021 |title=Dave's new album has biggest opening week of 2021 |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-58029355 |access-date=1 April 2022}}{{Cite web |title=Dave breaks UK rap streaming record and boosts physical market with We're All Alone In This Together |url=https://www.musicweek.com/labels/read/dave-breaks-uk-rap-streaming-record-and-boosts-physical-market-with-we-re-all-alone-in-this-together/083836 |access-date=13 April 2022 |website=www.musicweek.com |language=en}} These first week sales broke multiple records, making it the biggest opening week of an album in the UK since November 2019 with Coldplay's album Everyday Life and the biggest first week sales for a UK hip hop/rap album in the last decade, since Tinie Tempah's debut Disc-Overy in October 2010.{{Cite web |title=Dave's new album scores biggest opening week of 2021 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/daves-were-all-alone-in-this-together-debuts-at-number-1-and-scores-biggest-opening-week-of-2021__33689/ |access-date=30 July 2021 |website=www.officialcharts.com |language=en}} The album returned to number one on 13 August 2021, three weeks after its release.{{Cite web |title=Dave reclaims Official Albums Chart top spot |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/dave-reclaims-number-1-on-official-albums-chart-with-were-all-alone-in-this-together__33791/ |access-date=10 April 2022 |website=www.officialcharts.com |language=en}} After the release, Dave headlined his first festival at Parklife on 11 September.{{Cite news |last=Shutler |first=Ali |date=12 September 2021 |title=Parklife, review: Dave and Stormzy ensure the festival ends in a blaze of glory |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/concerts/dave-stormzy-ensure-parklife-ends-blaze-glory-review/ |access-date=18 September 2022 |issn=0307-1235}}
In August 2021, Dave won his third Ivor Novello Award alongside Fraser T Smith in the Best Contemporary Song category for the track "Children of the Internet".{{Cite web |date=21 September 2021 |title=Fraser T Smith, Dave & Es Devlin's "Children Of The Internet" Wins 2021 Ivor Novello For Best Contemporary Song |url=https://grmdaily.com/ivor-novello-awards-2021-winners/ |access-date=3 May 2022 |website=GRM Daily |language=en-GB}} Dave continued to produce for other artists, producing the track "End of the Beginning" on Central Cee's mixtape 23, again under the name SANTAN, which was released in February 2022.{{Cite web |title=First Impressions Of Central Cee's New Project '23' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/central-cee-23-review/ |access-date=7 April 2022 |website=Complex |language=en}}
Dave was nominated for four awards at the 2022 Brit Awards, including best album, best artist and best song. He won the award for Best British Hip Hop/Rap/Grime Act.{{Cite web |date=9 February 2022 |title=Watch Dave perform 'In the Fire' at the BRIT Awards 2022 with a guitar-flamethrower |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-dave-perform-in-the-fire-at-the-brit-awards-2022-with-a-guitar-flamethrower-3157297 |access-date=30 March 2022 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} He performed his track "In the Fire" at the ceremony, bringing onstage the track's featured guests – Fredo, Meekz, Ghetts and Giggs – and performing a solo on the guitar, which he had only been learning for four months prior.{{Cite web |title=The inside scoop behind Dave's near-impossible flamethrowing guitar solo at BRITs |url=https://www.music-news.com/news/UK/146695/The-inside-scoop-behind-Dave-s-near-impossible-flamethrowing-guitar-solo-at-BRITs |access-date=31 March 2022 |website=Music-News.com |language=en-US}}
He embarked on his first sold-out UK arena tour in early 2022, which included two shows at the O2 arena.{{Cite web |date=2 September 2021 |title=Dave announces massive UK and Ireland 2022 arena tour |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/dave-announces-massive-uk-and-ireland-2022-arena-tour-3036076 |access-date=31 March 2022 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Dave receives First Time Award at The O2 {{!}} The O2 |url=https://www.theo2.co.uk/news/detail/dave-receives-first-time-award-at-the-o2 |access-date=31 March 2022 |website=www.theo2.co.uk |language=en}} Dave then carried on his tour to Europe and North America.{{Cite web |date=20 October 2021 |title=UK Rapper Dave Announces 2022 'We're All Alone In This Together' North American Tour Dates |url=https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/dave-2022-were-all-in-this-together-tour-north-america/ |access-date=9 May 2022 |website=L4LM |language=en-US}} In March 2022, he released his first single of the year, "Starlight". It debuted at number one on the UK Singles chart as the biggest single debut of the year, making it Dave's second chart-topping single and his 11th top 10 single.{{Cite web |title=Dave's Starlight makes a massive Number 1 debut |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/dave-scores-second-uk-number-1-as-starlight-becomes-fastest-selling-single-of-the-year__35458/ |access-date=27 March 2022 |website=www.officialcharts.com |language=en}} The song broke a number of records. It became the first UK number one of the 2020s to be entirely written and performed by one person and the first number one to be written and produced by just one person since 2014.{{Cite web |title=Dave's Starlight is the first UK No.1 by a sole writer and producer in eight years |url=https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/dave-s-starlight-is-the-first-uk-no-1-by-a-sole-writer-and-producer-in-eight-years/085419 |access-date=30 March 2022 |website=www.musicweek.com |language=en}} It also became the longest-running number one solo UK Rap single in Official Charts history.{{Cite web |title=Dave sets UK rap record this week with Starlight |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/dave-s-starlight-sets-uk-rap-record-with-fourth-week-at-number-1__35636/ |access-date=1 April 2022 |website=www.officialcharts.com |language=en}}
Dave won Songwriter of the Year at the 67th Ivor Novello Awards in May, making that his fourth Ivor Novello win in five years.{{Cite web |title=Dave crowned songwriter of the year at Ivor Novello Awards {{!}} Ivor Novello awards {{!}} The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/may/19/dave-crowned-songwriter-of-the-year-at-ivor-novello-awards |access-date=19 May 2022 |website=amp.theguardian.com|date=19 May 2022 |last1=Khomami |first1=Nadia |last2=Arts |first2=Nadia Khomami }}
Dave performed at a number of festivals over the summer including headlining Wireless Festival, Longitude Festival, Rolling Loud Toronto and becoming the youngest ever solo headliner of Reading and Leeds Festival.{{Cite web |title=Dave, Nicki Minaj, Tyler, The Creator & More Announced For Wireless Festiva |url=https://www.complex.com/music/wireless-festival-2022 |access-date=18 September 2022 |website=Complex}}{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Damian |date=31 January 2022 |title=Dave, Tyler, The Creator, Megan Thee Stallion and more announced for Longitude 2022 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/dave-tyler-the-creator-megan-thee-stallion-and-more-announced-for-longitude-2022-3150640 |access-date=18 September 2022 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Future, Dave, and Wizkid to Headline Rolling Loud Toronto 2022 |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/future-dave-and-wizkid-to-headline-rolling-loud-toronto-2022/ |access-date=18 September 2022 |website=pitchfork.com|date=26 April 2022 }}{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Kyann-Sian |date=27 August 2022 |title=Dave live at Reading Festival 2022 review: a statement-making set from the youngest ever solo headliner |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/live/dave-live-at-reading-festival-2022-review-3298929 |access-date=18 September 2022 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}
= 2023–present: ''Split Decision'' =
{{Main|Split Decision (EP)}}
In June 2023, Dave released the single "Sprinter" with Central Cee.{{Cite web |title=Dave & Central Cee make record-breaking debut at Number 1 with Sprinter |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/record-breaker-dave-central-cee-debut-at-number-1-with-sprinter-duo-land-biggest-streaming-week-for-any-rap-song-in-uk-chart-history__39527/ |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=www.officialcharts.com |date=9 June 2023 |language=en}} The track debuted with 108,200 chart units in its first tracking week alongside 13.4 million streams, the greatest week of streams for a rap single in UK history, as well as the most-streamed UK hip-hop song in a single day.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Kyann-Sian |date=2023-06-08 |title=Dave and Central Cee's 'Sprinter' is Spotify UK's most-streamed song in a single day in 2023 so far |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/dave-and-central-cee-sprinter-is-spotify-uk-most-streamed-song-in-a-single-day-in-2023-so-far-3452500 |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} The track reached number one on the UK singles charts, making it Dave’s third number one single after "Funky Friday" and "Starlight", as well as Central Cee’s first number one single. "Sprinter" was later followed by the collaborative EP, Split Decision, a few days later.{{Cite web |title=Dave and Central Cee link up for their surprise joint Split Decision EP |url=https://www.thefader.com/2023/06/05/dave-central-cee-split-decision-ep |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=The FADER |language=en}} In August of the same year, Dave collaborated with French rapper and singer, Tiakola to release their collaborative singles, "Meridian" and "Special", the former peaking atop the French Singles Chart, marking both Dave and Tiakola's first chart-topper on the chart.{{Cite mag |last=Wilkes |first=Emma |title=Dave teams up with Tiakola for ‘Meridian’ and ‘Special’ |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/dave-teams-up-with-tiakola-for-meridian-and-special-3488808 |access-date=4 June 2025 |date=25 August 2023 |magazine=NME |language=en}} In December, Dave appeared allongside American rapper and singer, Jack Harlow as a guest apperence on "Stop Giving Me Advice", the fourth single of Lyrical Lemonade's debut album, All Is Yellow.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jack-harlow-dave-stop-giving-me-advice-single-1234920376/|title=Jack Harlow, Dave Team Up for Confident Single 'Stop Giving Me Advice'|last=Zemler|first=Emily|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=8 December 2023|access-date=4 June 2025|archive-date=8 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208190040/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jack-harlow-dave-stop-giving-me-advice-single-1234920376/|url-status=live}}
In January 2025, Dave appeared as a guest appearance on "CRG", the eighth cut of Central Cee's debut album, Can't Rush Greatness. The track debuted at #6 on the UK Singles Chart, marking Dave's thirteenth top ten single.{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Carl|title=Central Cee & Dave aim for highest new entry with CRG|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/central-cee-dave-crg-midweek/|access-date=26 January 2025|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=4 June 2025|language=en}} After almost one and a half years of releasing music as a lead artist, in May 2025, Dave posted on Instagram to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his breakout "Blackbox Cypher" freestyle, concluding with an announcement that he was "just finishing this [his third] album", hinting at a 2025 release.{{Cite web|last=Clifford|first= Elizabeth|title=Dave sparks excitement as new album rumours gain momentum|url=https://notjustok.com/news/dave-sparks-excitement-as-new-album-rumors-gain-momentum/|access-date=4 June 2025|date=15 May 2025|website=NotJustOk|language=en}}
Artistry
=Influences=
{{multiple image
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| footer = Dave has credited Drake (left) and Lana Del Rey (right) as being his biggest musical influences
| image1 = Drake July 2016.jpg
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| image2 = LanaDRPrimavera310524 (32 of 147) (53765476960) (cropped).jpg
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Dave has cited several artists for influencing both his rapping and production style, including Drake, Hans Zimmer, Kendrick Lamar, and Lana Del Rey, while he revealed that while growing up, he'd relate to artists such as Devlin, Drake, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Kano.{{Cite web |last=Thapar |first=Ciaran |date=6 July 2021 |title=Santan Dave: 'This new album is self-aware. There's a magic to it. Less concept, more canon. It's a whole journey' |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/dave-interview-2021|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706070124/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/dave-interview-2021|archive-date=6 July 2021 |access-date=4 February 2025 |work=GQ Magazine}} In an interview with GQ, it was revealed that Dave would study Zimmer's work while in his teenage years. Alongside rapping, Dave also produces, plays piano, and plays guitar.{{cite web|url=http://www.redbull.com/uk/en/music/stories/1331819621793/dave-the-south-london-mc-you-need-to-know|title=Dave is the south London MC you need to know about|last=Anderson|first=Sian|date=27 September 2016|publisher=Red Bull|accessdate=22 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023053745/http://www.redbull.com/uk/en/music/stories/1331819621793/dave-the-south-london-mc-you-need-to-know|archive-date=23 October 2016|url-status=live}}
=Musical style=
Omoregie is considered to be a conscious hip hop artist and is often praised for his "lyrical prowess" and wordplay. The Guardian{{'}}s Alexis Petridis wrote that Dave's "lyrics are smart, thoughtful, unflinching and self-aware",{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/mar/08/dave-psychodrama-review-best-british-rap-album|title=Dave: Psychodrama review – the boldest and best British rap album in a generation|work=The Guardian|date=8 March 2019|access-date=4 February 2025|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|author-link=Alexis Petridis|archive-date=9 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190309093218/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/mar/08/dave-psychodrama-review-best-british-rap-album|url-status=live}} while The Times{{'}} Jonathan Dean described Dave as "one of the most gifted lyricists who talks for his generation". Dean continued that Dave's music is a "blend of American artists", comparing him to Stormzy and Linton Kwesi Johnson, "for the way he chronicles black British life".{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/dave-the-rapper-and-voice-of-a-generation-on-his-new-album-were-all-alone-in-this-together-592gjr62d|title=Dave, the rapper and voice of a generation, on his new album We're All Alone in This Together|work=The Times|date=8 August 2021|access-date=4 February 2025|last=Dean|first=Jonathan|archive-date=15 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215165941/https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/dave-the-rapper-and-voice-of-a-generation-on-his-new-album-were-all-alone-in-this-together-592gjr62d|url-status=live}}
Dave's musical creativity stems from his own lived experiences. Throughout his music, he covers topics of racism, misogyny, domestic abuse, and will often speak about politics in his music. Dave has been noted by music critics for his lyricism, with GQ writing that they "oscillate between the personal and the political with compelling emotional candour", while he's also praised for his "intricately rehearsed ability to relay it to an audience". Throughout his career, Dave has experimented in several different genres, including afrobeats with "Location",{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/dave-the-brave-and-burna-boys-Vacation-captures-the-art-of-seduction-new-song.1982270.html|title=Dave & Burna Boy's "Vacation" Captures The Art Of Seduction|publisher=HotNewHipHop|date=10 March 2019|accessdate=4 February 2025}} UK drill with "Clash",{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jul/09/dave-clash-feat-stormzy-review|title=Dave: Clash (feat Stormzy) review – unflappable cool from two cultural icons|work=The Guardian|date=9 July 2021|accessdate=4 February 2025}} and grime with "Thiago Silva".{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/18284-dave-aj-tracey-thiago-silva/|title="Thiago Silva" by Dave / AJ Tracey Review|publisher=Pitchfork|date=19 May 2016|accessdate=4 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331020152/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/18284-dave-aj-tracey-thiago-silva/|archive-date=31 March 2019|url-status=live}}
Other activities
= Charity works =
On September 6, 2020, Dave appeared as a celebrity at Soccer Aid for the Soccer Aid World XI in a charity football match to raise money for GAVI.{{Cite news|last=Sansome|first=Jessica|date=2020-09-06|title=Who is Santan Dave on Soccer Aid 2020?|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/who-santan-dave-soccer-aid-18855806|access-date=2023-12-31|newspaper=Manchester Evening News|language=en-UK}}
Following the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the continued War in Sudan, Dave had taken to social media to promote the sale of his clothing brand, "Psycho" to raise almost £500,000 to donate to Palestine, Congo, and Sudan.{{Cite web|last=Giacomazzo|first=Bernadette|date=2023-12-21|title=DAVE RAISES OVER $500K FOR PALESTINE, CONGO & SUDAN WITH 'PEACE DREAM' CHARITY SONG|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/dave-500k-palestine-congo-sudan-peace-dream|access-date=2023-12-31|work=HipHopDX|language=en-UK}} Alongside raising money for the conflicts around the world, Dave released a track titled, "Peace Dream" in which he raps about the conflicts while pointing out hypocrisy in the government.{{Cite news|last=Sudan|first=Richard|date=2023-12-23|title=UK rapper Santan Dave raises £500,000 for children in conflict zones|url=https://www.voice-online.co.uk/news/uk-news/2023/12/23/uk-rapper-santan-dave-raises-500000-for-children-in-conflict-zones/|access-date=2023-12-31|newspaper=Voice Online|language=en-UK}} Upon the release of "Peace Dream", Dave had taken to Twitter to speak on the conflict.
We raised close to £500,000 factoring everything in last Sunday for the charities in Palestine Congo and Sudan. Massive love to all. Thanks for playing a part and allowing me to play my part also. Will keep you updated on the journey the donations take to those in need.
= Modelling =
Dave made his modelling debut for Pharrell Williams' Louis Vuitton debut as the newly appointed men's creative director{{Cite web |date=January 23, 2023 |title=Dave Attends Paris Fashion Week 2023 In a Full Louis Vuitton Outfit |url=https://incorporatedstyle.com/image/dave-attends-paris-fashion-week-2023-in-a-full-louis-vuitton-outfit/ |access-date=December 31, 2023 |website=Inc Style}} at the 2023 Paris Fashion Week.{{Cite magazine |last=Remsen |first=Nick |date=June 21, 2023 |title=Inside Pharrell Williams's Louis Vuitton Debut in Paris |url=https://www.esquire.com/uk/style/a44284759/pharrell-williams-louis-vuitton-debut/ |access-date=December 31, 2023 |magazine=Esquire}}
= Baller League UK =
In March 2025, it was revealed that Dave would be managing Santan FC, one of the 12 teams in Baller League UK, a six-a-side football league broadcast on Sky Sports.{{Cite web |last=SkySports |date=25 March 2025 |title=Baller League UK fixtures, schedule, teams, managers and rules plus how to watch or stream on Sky Sports |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13326162/baller-league-all-you-need-to-know-on-format-teams-managers-and-how-to-watch-live-on-sky-and-now |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=Sky Sports}} The team won its first match on 24 March 2025, defeating Trebol FC by 6–4.{{Cite web |last=SkySports |date=25 March 2025 |title=Baller League LIVE on Sky Sports! Luis Figo, John Terry, Angry Ginge and Sidemen involved in new six-a-side tournament |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/live-blog/11095/13334936/baller-league-live-on-sky-sports-luis-figo-john-terry-angry-ginge-and-sidemen-involved-in-new-six-a-side-tournament |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=Sky Sports}}
Discography
{{main|Dave discography}}
Studio albums
- Psychodrama (2019)
- We're All Alone in This Together (2021)
EPs
- Six Paths (2016)
- Game Over (2017)
- Split Decision (2023)
Filmography
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Television ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
| 2019
| Top Boy | Modie |Series 3 |
| 2025–present
| Himself | Six-a-side football league |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| Year
! Organization ! Award ! Work ! Result ! Reference |
|---|
| 2016
| rowspan="3"| Rated Awards | Best Breakthrough | {{n/a|Himself}} | rowspan="6" {{nom}} |
| rowspan="6"| 2017
| Best Track | "Samantha" |
| Mixtape of the Year
| Six Paths |
| rowspan="3"| AIM Awards
| Independent Track of the Year | "Wanna Know" |
| Most Played New Independent Act
| rowspan="4" {{n/a|Himself}} |
| Independent Breakthrough of the Year |
| MOBO Awards
| Best Newcomer | {{won}} |
| rowspan="8"| 2018
| rowspan="2" {{nom}} |
| NME Awards
| Best Mixtape |
| Ivor Novello Awards
| Best Contemporary Song | rowspan="2"| "Question Time" | {{won}} |
| rowspan="2"| AIM Awards
| Independent Track of the Year | {{nom}} |
| Most Played New Independent Act
| rowspan="2" {{n/a|Himself}} | {{won}} |
| rowspan="3"| Rated Awards
| Artist of the Year | rowspan="3" {{nom}} |
| Track of the Year
| "No Words" |
| Mixtape of the Year
| Game Over |
| rowspan="10"| 2019
| Breakthrough Music Act | rowspan="2" {{n/a|Himself}} | {{won}} |
| rowspan="2"| Q Awards
| Best Solo Act | rowspan="6" {{nom}} |rowspan="2"|{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/music/q-awards-2019-nominations-shortlist-stormzy-dave-ceremony-date-a4235436.html|title=Stormzy, Dave and Little Simz among Londoners nominated for 2019 Q Awards|publisher=Q Awards|date=13 September 2019|access-date=18 September 2019|first=Jochan|last=Embley|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913235956/https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/music/q-awards-2019-nominations-shortlist-stormzy-dave-ceremony-date-a4235436.html|archive-date=13 September 2019|url-status=live}} |
| Best Album |
| MTV Europe Music Awards
| {{n/a|Himself}} |
| rowspan="2"| UK Music Video Awards
| Best Urban Video - UK | "Black" |
| Best Artist
| rowspan="2" {{n/a|Himself}} |
| BET Awards
| Best International Act |
| Mercury Prize
| Best Album | rowspan="2"| Psychodrama | rowspan="3" {{won}} |
| rowspan="2"| AIM Awards
| Best Independent Album |
| Best Independent Track
| "Funky Friday" |
| rowspan="4"| 2020
| rowspan="4"| Brit Awards | Psychodrama | {{won}} |
| Song of the Year
| "Location" | rowspan="3" {{nom}} |
| British Male Solo Artist
| rowspan="2" {{n/a|Himself}} |
| Best New Artist |
| rowspan="6" |2021
|Best Contemporary Song |"Children of the Internet" |{{won}} |
| rowspan="5" |MOBO Awards
|Album of the Year |We're All Alone in This Together |{{won}} |
| Best Male Act
| rowspan="2" {{n/a|Himself}} | rowspan="7" {{Nominated}} |
| Best Hip-Hop Act |
| Song of the Year
|"Clash" |
| Video of the Year
|"Money Talks" |
| rowspan="4"| 2022
| rowspan="4"| Brit Awards | We're All Alone in This Together |
| Song of the Year
| "Clash" |
| Artist of the Year
| rowspan="3" {{n/a|Himself}} |
| rowspan=2| Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act
| {{won}} |
| rowspan="3" |2023
| rowspan=2| Brit Awards | rowspan="2" {{Nominated}} | rowspan=2| {{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Carl |date=12 January 2023 |title=BRIT Awards 2023 nominations REVEALED |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/brit-awards-2023-nominations-in-full-wet-leg-harry-styles-fred-again-and-the-1975-lead-list-of-nominees__38277/ |access-date=12 January 2023 |publisher=Official Charts Company}} |
| Song of the Year
| "Starlight" |
| MTV Europe Music Awards
|Best Collaboration | rowspan="2"| "Sprinter" {{small|(with Central Cee)}} |{{nom}} |
| rowspan="3"|2024
| rowspan="3"|Brit Awards | rowspan="3" {{Nominated}} | rowspan="3"|{{cite news|last1=Beaumont-Thomas|first1=Ben|title=Brit awards 2024: record-breaking Raye lands seven nominations|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/jan/24/brit-awards-2024-record-breaking-raye-lands-seven-nominations|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=January 25, 2024|date=January 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125121634/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/jan/24/brit-awards-2024-record-breaking-raye-lands-seven-nominations|archive-date=January 25, 2024|url-status=live }} |
| Artist of the Year
| rowspan="2" {{n/a|Himself}} |
| rowspan=2| Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.santandave.com|Dave}} – official site
- {{Discogs artist|Dave (403)|Dave}}
{{Dave}}
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