Craig David is an avid stamp collector? Strange but true, apparently. These and other intriguing facts about Southampton's premier pop genius - soon to be seen at the Bournemouth International Centre - are revealed in a new interview with the teen sensation. (9/2/01)

Q: How long does it take to shave your beard into that shape?

A: Usually it will take me about half an hour. If I was doing it with a razor, it would take me a while, but if my stylist Five does it, he can do it in 10 minutes with an electric razor.

Q: Don't you think you're a bit vain?

A: Not really. I mean, only if you classed doing my beard in the mirror for that amount of time as vain. Apart from that I just quickly do my thing - shower, wash my face, brush my teeth and I'm out the door. But I do take pride in my beard and clothes. Apart from that, it's really cool. I mean, you have to look in the mirror to make sure you feel comfortable.

Q: Aren't you concerned that you will be pigeonholed as doing just R&B and two-step stuff?

A: No, not really. That's just music I've been influenced by - it has been my inspiration. I've been listening to R&B and soul for years, but two-step is recent. Reggae, lover's rock, pop, soul and I like a bit of guitar. I think that the kind of music you produce is just down to what you listen to. Perhaps if I had been into heavy metal, you would have heard me do a heavy metal track!

Q: Do you think you're too good for pop music?

A: I'm just lucky to be doing what I'm doing. I would say I'm just a normal guy, getting out there and performing and enjoying myself. I'm very flattered and proud to be in a position where I can get my songs appreciated by people. Hopefully, my music will shine through.

Q: Do you get upset if people put you in the same category as boy bands?

A: Not really, because at the end of the day if people think my music sounds likes pop boy-band stuff, that's cool. If they think it's R&B, it's cool, too. People's interpretations are very individual so I don't mind what they call my music, as long as they're out there listening to it.

Q: Do you shout at people?

A: No, I keep it to myself - really. It doesn't really help unless you can.... Well, if you shout, you will feel better for a couple of seconds, then you'll feel bad again. What you have to do is go, 'Okay, then, let's move on'.

Q: Is it true you used to be an avid stamp collector?

A: It was interesting to some degree when I was younger. My grandad was into stamps. He bought me an album and we got stamps and stuck them in. Hand in hand if you're a singer, you're inspired by art and graphics. And it was the way you arranged the stamps as opposed to what ones you got, and whether they had the right types of glue - that's what I found interesting.

Q: Tell us a stamp-collecting trade secret?

A: People make out Penny Blacks will make you money, but they don't always. An original Penny Black might not get you much. It depends on lots of different things, such as the condition of the stamp and how it's been postmarked.

Q: Why do you mention your own name on your songs so much?

A: First of all, it's my name. Yeah, it's cool. The way I write songs is the most laid-back thing. It's more of a case of when I'm ad-libbing I just go and say my name.

That's when the Craig David kicks in and I just keep doing it for the vibes, really. On some tracks I won't do it and sometimes it will just come out - Craig David!