Dave

Biography

David Orobosa Michael Omoregie, known professionally as Dave or Santan Dave, was born on June 5, 1998, in Brixton, London. He is a British rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor of Nigerian heritage. Raised in Streatham, South London, Dave began writing lyrics at the age of 11 and taught himself to play the piano as a teenager. His musical style is noted for its socially conscious lyricism and wordplay.

Career Beginnings

Dave first gained attention in 2015 with a freestyle on the YouTube channel Bl@ckbox. His debut EP, "Six Paths," was released in 2016 and featured the popular track "Thiago Silva" with AJ Tracey. His profile rose significantly when Canadian rapper Drake remixed his song "Wanna Know." In 2017, he released his second EP, "Game Over." A major milestone came in 2018 when his politically charged song "Question Time" won an Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song. Later that year, his single "Funky Friday" featuring Fredo reached number one on the UK Singles Chart.

Studio Albums

Psychodrama (2019)

Dave's debut studio album, "Psychodrama," was released in March 2019 and debuted at number one in the UK. The album received widespread critical acclaim and had the biggest first-week streams for a UK rap album at the time. It won the prestigious Mercury Prize and Album of the Year at the 2020 Brit Awards. The album's success led to a major UK tour and performances at festivals like Glastonbury.

We're All Alone in This Together (2021)

His second album, "We're All Alone in This Together," was released in July 2021 and also debuted at number one in the UK, Ireland, and Scotland. The album broke records for weekly album streams for a UK rap act. Several tracks from the album, including "Clash," "Verdansk," and "In the Fire," charted in the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart. In 2022, his single "Starlight" became his first solo number-one hit.

Acting and Other Ventures

In 2019, Dave made his acting debut in the third season of the Netflix series "Top Boy," where he played the character Modie. He also contributed two tracks to the show's soundtrack, "Professor X" and "God's Eye." He has also produced music for other artists, including Central Cee.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Dave has received numerous awards. In addition to his Mercury Prize and Brit Awards, he has won multiple Ivor Novello Awards and a MOBO Award for Best Newcomer in 2017. In 2022, he won the Brit Award for Best British Hip Hop/Rap/Grime Act.