Dave: Get to know the award-winning rapper 🏆
Find out more about BRIT Award-winning Santan Dave...
'Location' star Dave is sure living his best life right now. Not only did Dave's debut album 'Psychodrama' bag him a hugely-coveted Mercury Prize and a BRIT Award, but he bagged yet another BRIT Award following the release of his second album 'We're All Alone in This Together' - and now he's officially working on album number three.
As we prepare for new music from the award-winning rapper, join us as we take a look at Dave's meteoric rise to fame. Read up on how Dave has worked his way up in the music industry to get to his incredible position at just 25-years-old...
Who is Dave?
Dave is a multi-talented guy - he's best known as a rapper, but he's also a singer, songwriter, actor, producer and musician. He also plays the piano!
What's his real name?
Dave's real name is actually Dave, but his full name is David Orobosa Omoregie. He's also sometimes known as Santan Dave.
Where did the name Santan Dave come from?
Whilst many don't know where this originated, fans online have speculated that it's from the time he went through a phase of posting on his Snapchat Stories, adding his name to objects.
Apparently, when he went on holiday, he posted about being on 'holidave', and when he bought some new shoes he put 'adidave'. Then, when he got a new bank card from Santander, he posted about 'santandave', and the name has stuck!
Where is Dave from?
He was born in Brixton in London, and moved with his family to Streatham. His parents are Nigerian, and he has two older brothers.
How old is he?
His birthday is 5th June 1998, which makes his current age 25-years-old.
MOBO Award nominations
Dave was nominated for two awards at the 2022 ceremony - Best Male Act and Song of the Year (in association with Lucozade) for 'Starlight'.
Sadly, Dave missed out on the gongs, with Best Male Act going to Central Cee, and Song of the Year going to Dreya Mac, FelixThe1st and Finch Fetti, with the track 'Own Brand (Baddie)'.
He then picked up more MOBO Award nominations in 2023, for Best Male Act and Song Of The Year (for his track 'Splinter' with Central Cee), winning the latter at the ceremony in February 2024.
Dave's performance at The BRIT Awards 2022
After bagging himself the 2022 BRIT Award for Best Hip Hop/Rap/Grime Act, it's safe to say that Dave showed us all how it was done when it comes to closing an award ceremony! The rapper played the guitar, as he was joined by Giggs, Ghetts, Fredo, Meekz and a gospel choir for an incredible pyrotechnic-fuelled rendition of his ‘We’re All Alone in This Together’ track ‘In the Fire’.
Dave took home the award for Best Hip Hop/Rap/Grime Act, giving a humble acceptance speech. During his heart-warming speech, the rapper added: "I know I'm a difficult person and want to say thank you to all my friends to anyone that knows me for putting up with me."
Which BRIT Awards has he won?
Dave was nominated for two awards at The BRIT Awards 2023 - Song of The Year (for 'Starlight') and Hip Hop, Grime, Rap Act. Sadly, he missed out on both to Harry Styles for 'As It Was' and Aitch respectively.
Prior to giving us one of the most impressive performances we have ever seen at The BRIT Awards 2022, truly showing us how to close the show in style, Dave picked up the award for Best Hip Hop/Rap/Grime Act.
He was nominated for a whopping FOUR BRIT Awards back at the 2020 ceremony: Song of the Year for 'Location', British Male Solo Artist, Best New Artist and Album of the Year for 'Psychodrama'.
Not only that, but Dave gave an absolutely incredible performance at the ceremony, performing a version of his song 'Black'. We caught up with 'Power Over Me' singer Dermot Kennedy, who said he'd LOVE to collaborate with Dave on new music... Watch this space!
Dave was also previously nominated for a BRIT Award in 2018, for British Breakthrough Act.
These weren't the first major awards he's won, as Dave also took home the MOBO Award for Best Newcomer in 2017, the Best Contemporary Song Ivor Novello Award for 'Question Time' as well as the coveted Mercury Prize for his album 'Psychodrama' in 2019.
Glastonbury 2023
Dave joined Central Cee on stage at Glastonbury 2023 for an incredible performance of their hit track 'Sprinter', which shot to Platinum status (BPI) just over a month later.
Warning: Explicit language
'Starlight'
After teasing fans, Dave finally released his bop 'Starlight' on Thursday 3rd March 2022! It's safe to say the track was a certified hit, flying to the top spot in the chart.
The rapper took to his social media platforms to celebrate the single hitting the Number 1 spot, simply writing: 'Starlight... #1 Single'.
After it was announced that the song had spent its second week at the Number 1 spot on the UK Singles Chart, earning more streams than the week before and becoming Dave's longest running Number 1 hit, he took to his socials to gush: 'I’m nothing without the people 🤞🏾'.
WATCH: Dave wins Best Hip Hop/Rap/Grime Act at The BRITs 2022
How did he get famous?
2015-2016
Dave released music himself online, appearing on different musical platforms including YouTube, before making an appearance on SB.TV in 2015. A year later, in 2016, he teamed up with AJ Tracey on their song 'Thiago Silva' - about the Brazilian footballer. The pair performed the track together at Bestival that year.
Later in 2016, Drake remixed Dave's song 'Wanna Know', which peaked at Number 51 on the chart, marking Dave's first charted song.
2017-2018
In 2017, Dave released 'Samantha' with J Hus, and released his EP 'Game Over' which peaked at Number 13 in the charts. He then went on tour, performing shows in the US, Netherlands, UK and Ireland.
After taking a few months out, Dave released 'Funky Friday' featuring Fredo in 2018, which debuted at the Number 1 spot.
2019 onwards
2019 was a big year for Dave, with his career well and truly taking off. As well as joining Drake on his 2019 tour, the year marked the release of his debut album 'Psychodrama', which he dropped in March.
The album debuted at Number 1, and Dave performed at Glastonbury Festival in June 2019 on The Other Stage. His performance went viral after he invited an audience member called Alex up onto the stage with him for 'Thiago Silva'. Alex then gave an incredible performance of the song, helping Dave become a more well-known name in the process.
Dave's second album
After not dropping a solo track since his 2019 'Paper Cuts', Dave delighted fans when he surprise released TWO tracks in April 2021 - 'Titanium' and 'Mercury', which is a collaboration with singer-songwriter Kamal.
Then, on 23rd July 2021 Dave released his second album 'We're All Alone in This Together', featuring huge names such as Stormzy and WizKid. Celebrating the release on Instagram, the rapper wrote: 'My second album We’re all alone in this together is out now.' In the lengthy caption, he thanked all friends, family and fans for supporting him along the way.
Just one week later, Dave celebrated his album hitting the Number 1 spot in the charts. He took to Instagram to write: 'Second number 1 album. A lot of emotions but this is the work of the people, the best supporters on earth... my family and friends but most importantly God. For this we give God the glory. 74,000 album sales in 1 week and it’s God’s doing. It’s our number 1. History.'
Dave's third album and new music
Following the release of his smash-hit second album, fans have been chomping at the bit for more new music from the rapper. Well, it looks like 2024 could be a promising year for fans, with Dave teasing in December 2023 that he had a new album coming 'soon'.
Sharing a series of images of himself - including a checklist which included 'START ALBUM 3' - he wrote: 'Back to the motion💿🔜'.
Dave: Top Boy
Not only a talented rapper and songwriter, Dave is also an actor, having starred in Netflix first series of Top Boy as Modie. The show had originally aired on Channel 4 for two seasons prior to Netflix taking it under its wing.
Dave's character was in prison, and had a rivalry with Sully during their time together inside - and on the outside, as he ran a rival gang.
Netflix's first season of the show was executively produced by none other than fellow rapper Drake, who fought for the show to continue after it was scheduled to end after the first two seasons.
Of course, fans were over the moon when it was revealed that Top Boy would be returning for more seasons on Netflix, with the streaming platform releasing season two on 18th March 2022, and season three in September 2023.
How much is Dave worth?
In November 2021, Dave was a new entry in heat's Rich List 2021. Following the success of his two amazing Number 1 albums, Dave was reportedly worth a massive £5.2 million.
In the 2022 edition of the rich list, Dave was reported to be worth £7.4 million, thanks to his Number 1 single 'Starlight' and a sell-out arena tour.
Then, in 2023, according to heat he had a net worth of £10.9m.
Check out Dave's biggest songs:
'JKYL+HYD' (2016)
'JKYL+HYD' was one of Dave's first songs to have big success. The video alone has three million views on YouTube at the time of writing. It really helped fling him into the mainstream, even though he was only 17-years-old at the time of the song's release (wow).
Watch the music video for Dave's 'JKL+HYD' here!
Contains explicit language
'Thiago Silva' with AJ Tracey (2016)
'Thiago Silva' is a real fan favourite and we can see why. It unites two of UK rap's biggest stars: Dave and AJ Tracey. And honestly, it goes very hard. The song has gained even more popularity thanks to the viral clip of 'Alex from Glasto' nailing the song onstage with Dave. Truly an iconic moment.
Watch the music video for Dave and Aj Tracey's 'Thiago Silva' here!
Contains explicit language
'Picture Me' (2016)
Off the back of the success of 'Thiago Silva', Dave dropped 'Picture Me', a more introspective track that showed off his versatility and talent as a songwriter. In the song Dave contemplates his present and future, all delivered over a glittery piano melody. He addresses the listener directly hinting at the ambitious concepts he would later explore in his music.
Watch the music video for Dave's 'Picture Me' here!
Contains explicit language.
'Wanna Know' (2016)
In some ways 'Wanna Know' feels like a hybrid of 'Thiago Silva' and 'Picture Me'. In the song Dave raps about his upward mobility, over a melodic beat with heavy bass. Here Dave delivers a thoughtful banger. The song was featured on his 2016 EP 'Six Paths' alongside 'Picture Me'.
Watch the music video for Dave's 'Wanna Know' here!
'Six Paths' (2016)
'Six Paths' is the third track from Dave's 2016 EP of the same name. The song sees Dave consider different choices he has in his life, a theme explored throughout the EP. It is the intro track to the EP and feels a bit like a movie intro, with the orchestral first thirty seconds of the song.
Watch the music video for Dave's 'Six Paths' here!
Contains explicit language
'71/ End Credits' (2016)
'71/ End credits' is the final song on Dave's 'Six Paths' EP. The song starts out strong with a freestyle flow, ending on a more introspective note, with a recording of Dave's mum talking to him on the phone - a great end to the EP.
Watch the music video for Dave's '71' here!
Contains explicit language
'Samantha' with J Hus (2017)
'Samantha' sees Dave team up with UK rap royalty J Hus for an unapologetic banger. The single was a non album release. In the music video Dave and J Hus rap inside a church and outside a housing estate in London. The legendary collab is a definite highlight in Dave's discography.
Watch the music video for Dave and J Hus' 'Samantha' here!
Contains explicit language
'Revenge' (2017)
Dave scored another hit after 'Samantha' with 'Revenge', a video game inspired banger. The music video is among one of Dave's best (which is really saying something).
Watch the music video for Dave's 'Revenge' here!
Contains explicit language
'100M's' (2017)
On '100M's' Dave returns with a grime flow over an electronic bass heavy beat he co-produced with SG Lewis. This was his third single of 2017, a big year for the rapper.
Watch the music video for Dave's '100M'S' here!
'Tequilla' (2017)
'Tequila' started off as a freestyle Dave performed on the American radio show Power 106: Los Angeles. All the raw energy of the freestyle comes through in the song. The song and video are in a sense symbolic of Dave's transatlantic reach, both being framed around his 2017 trip to LA.
Watch the music video for Dave's 'Tequila' here!
'Question Time' (2017)
'Question Time' is the first single from Dave's 2017 EP 'Game Over'. The seven minute song sees Dave speaking directly to former PM Theresa May. The song and music video parody the BBC show of the same name. The video sees Dave in an empty studio, rapping directly to the camera. This song allowed Dave to show off his intelligent lyricism.
Watch the music video for Dave's 'Question Time' here!
Contains explicit language
'No Words' with MoStack (2017)
'No Words' sees Dave team up with MoStack to deliver something of a banger. The song was the second single released as part of his 'Game Over' EP and sees the two rappers exchanging bars about beefs.
Watch the music video for Dave's 'No Words' here!
Contains explicit language
'Hangman' (2018)
'Hangman' sees Dave return to the minimalist piano beats with grime influences that defined his 'Six Paths' EP. It also suggested a stylistic departure from his 'Game Over' EP. In many ways it feels like a follow up to '71/ End Credits.'
Watch the music video for Dave's 'Hangman' here!
Contains explicit language
'Funky Friday' with Fredo (2018)
'Funky Friday' sees Dave team up with Fredo to create one of his most popular songs. The music video alone has over 70 million views on YouTube at the time of writing. The song is a massive flex, seeing Dave and Fredo brag about their wealth and success, an upbeat departure from songs such as 'Hangman.'
Watch the music video for Dave's 'Funky Friday' here!
Contains explicit language
'Black' (2019)
'Black' marked a new era for Dave. It was the first single off his critically acclaimed, Mercury Award winning album 'Psychodrama'. Throughout the song Dave discusses themes of social and racial inequality. He delivered a particularly powerful rendition of the song at The BRIT Awards ceremony in 2020.
Watch the music video for Dave's 'Black' here!
Contains explicit language
'Streatham' (2019)
Another standout single from 'Psychodrama' was 'Streatham'. On the song Dave raps about the area he grew up in, from which the track gets its name.
Watch the music video for Dave's 'Streatham' here!
Contains explicit language
'Location (ft. Burna Boy)' (2019)
Dave teamed up with Burna Boy for 'Location', a more braggadocios track from 'Psychodrama.' In the song Dave considers his fame in a laid back track on an otherwise quite emotionally heavy album.
Watch the music video for Dave's 'Location' here!
Contains explicit language
'Clash' with Stormzy (2021)
Dave returned in 2021 with 'Clash', his first single in almost two years. It also marked his long teased collaboration with Stormzy. Honestly, with Stormzy on the track it was guaranteed to be a hit. 'Clash' was the lead single of Dave's sophomore album 'We're All Alone In This Together.'
Watch the music video for Dave's 'Clash' here!
Contains explicit language
'Verdansk' (2021)
'Verdansk' was the second and final single release for 'We're All Alone In This Together.' It was one of the most anticipated tracks on the album, as Dave had leaked a section of the song on Instagram in 2020.
Watch the music video for Dave's 'Verdansk' here!
Contains explicit language
'Starlight' (2022)
Dave released his track 'Starlight' on 3rd March 2022, and the song flew to the Number 1 spot on the UK Singles Chart. After it was announced that the song had spent its second week at the Number 1 spot, earning more streams than the week before and becoming the rapper's longest running Number 1 hit, Dave took to his socials to write: 'I'm nothing without the people 🤞🏾'.
Watch the music video for Dave's 'Starlight' here!
May contain explicit language.
'Sprinter' (2023)
In 2023, Dave teamed up with Central Cee on the massive track 'Sprinter'. The song reached Number 1 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Dave's third Number 1 single and Central Cee's first.
Watch the music video for 'Sprinter' here.
Contains explicit language.
You can hear Dave on the KISS playlist! 🎶
NOW WATCH: Top Boy & Blue Story Star Micheal Ward on Dave's DM advice 🤭
Read more:
Dave: A lowdown on the rapper's biggest songs
Aitch: 7 things you might not know about the Manchester rapper
Everything you need to know about 'Blinded by Your Grace' rapper Stormzy