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Connell Cruise
David Gresham, Connell Cruise and Andrew Mitchley of David Gresham Records, 2019.
Born
Connell Cruise Kingsburgh

(1987-05-19) 19 May 1987 (age 37)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Alma materUniversity of the Witwatersrand
Occupations
  • Singer
  • Songwriter
  • Keyboardist
Years active2011–present
SpouseSarah Jeanne Kingsburgh (m. 2016)
ChildrenIvor Wright Kingsburgh (b. 2018)
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
Labels
Websiteconnellcruise.com

Connell Cruise Kingsburgh (born May 19, 1987) known professionally as Connell Cruise, is a South African singer, songwriter, performer, pianist, and musician.[1]

In 2013 he released his debut solo album in South Africa through David Gresham Records,[2] and would earn three South African Music Award nominations the following year.[3] The lead single, "Not Just Friends," became his first number one single on South African radio charts.[4]

He released "Into The Wild" as a follow-up single in 2014,[5] which led to L.A. Reid signing Cruise to Epic Records in what is considered the largest and most significant record deal in South African music history.[6]

Following his move to New York City,[7] he released his international debut, Into The Wild EP, in 2015 through Island Records.[8]

Cruise met his wife, Sarah, in New York City and in September 2016 the two were married at New York City Hall.[9] The couple relocated to South Africa in 2017[10] to coincide with the release of his second studio album Barely Breathing, again through David Gresham Records.[11] The album debuted at number one on the South African iTunes album chart[12] and garnered Cruise his fifth South African Music Award nomination[13]

In 2018, he was one of 12 celebrity contestants to compete in the first season of Dancing with the Stars South Africa,[14] which he and his dancing partner, Marcella Solimeo, won.[15]

After a brief hiatus from the music industry, Cruise announced in 2019 that he had renewed his recording contract with David Gresham Records and had started work on his third studio album.[16] Following the global and unprecedented upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Cruise released Confluence, a greatest hits album with five new songs including "All Summer Long" and "Take Me To The River" – receiving critical acclaim.[17]

Personal life

[edit]

Cruise was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa.[18] He completed training in Classical Piano through Trinity College, London while still in high school.[19] He studied Psychology, Sociology, and Law at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg[20][21] and he then studied Theology at the Baptist Theological College of Southern Africa.[22]

After relocating to the United States of America in 2015, following his signing with Epic Records, Cruise met Sarah Dunham in New York City. The two married in September 2016 in a very intimate ceremony at New York City Hall. The couple celebrated their marriage again almost a year later, in August 2017, at a wedding ceremony held in South Africa.[23] The ceremony and reception, which featured a performance by Cruise for his wife, was broadcast on an episode of a premiere South African lifestyle show, Top Billing.

In March 2019,[24] Connell and Sarah publicly announced the December birth of their son, Ivor Wright Kingsburgh.[25]

Career

[edit]

In 2010, Cruise auditioned for the sixth season of Idols South Africa and made it to the Top 16.[26] Following his experience on the show, he began a career in gospel music as a performer and songwriter. He featured on Integrity Music compilation albums[27] and participated in the founding of South African contemporary gospel group We Will Worship,[28] before being discovered and signed as a solo artist and songwriter by David Gresham Records in 2012.[29][30]

His 2013 debut album with David Gresham Records was well received in South Africa,[31] earning Cruise three South African Music Awards nominations[32] and giving him his first number one charted South Africa radio single "Not Just Friends."[4] Work began immediately on a follow up album and Cruise collaborated with songwriters in New York City, such as Ido Zmishlany, through video calls from South Africa.[33] His 2014 single, "Into The Wild," debuted at number one on the South African iTunes singles chart and caused a social media frenzy on Twitter, which caught the attention of American music executive L.A Reid.[34]

In 2014,[35] Reid signed Cruise to Epic Records, a division of Sony Music, in what is widely regarded to be the largest and most significant record deal in South African music history.[36] Cruise followed up his move to the United States by releasing his international debut Into The Wild EP in 2015 through Island Records[37] and spent most of 2015 and 2016 touring extensively around the United States and South Africa.[38] He also worked in studio with acclaimed producers and songwriters John Ryan, Teddy Geiger, Ido Zmishlany, and Scott Harris.[39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48]

In 2016 Cruise performed with The Fray,[49] Adam Lambert,[50] SafetySuit,[41] and The American Authors[51] in venues across the United States such as The Troubadour in Los Angeles,[52] and the Billboard Lounge in New York City.[53] Cruise took the stage at the Firefly Music Festival[54] and the Bonnaroo Music Festival[55] and was invited to perform at a gala celebration of Harry Belafonte in Greenwich, Connecticut.[56]

In 2017, Cruise released his sophomore studio album, Barely Breathing.[57] The album debuted at number one on the South African iTunes album chart[12] and would go on to earn him his fifth South African Music Award nomination.[58] The lead single from the album, "All Day" topped the South African radio charts.[59] Cruise was invited to be a mentor on the second season of The Voice South Africa, and performed "All Day" live on the show.[60]

In 2018, Cruise was one of 12 South African celebrities chosen to compete in the first season of Dancing with the Stars South Africa.[61] He was partnered with Latin dance champion, Marcella Solimeo.[62] After topping the leaderboard throughout the competition, Cruise and Solimeo bounced back from their first and only dance-off in the semifinal to win the show and take home the mirrorball trophy.[63] The Twitter hashtag, #TeamCruiseControl, became a rallying point for Cruise's fans and supporters throughout the season, dominating much of the television show's social media presence.[64]

Several of Cruise's songs have been featured in international synchronizations during his career. "Endless Possibilities," an exclusive release for the United States of America, was selected by Pepsi Co. for their North American Quaker Oats television commercial campaign[65] and "Into The Wild" featured in the international trailers of the animated feature films "Robinson Crusoe"[66] (2016), and "Missing Link."[16] (2019). Also in 2019, "All Day" was selected as the theme song for the first season of The Bachelor South Africa.[67] Cruise performed a live version of the song on the season finale.[68] Later in 2019, Cruise was invited to participate in the opening performance of the 25th South African Music Awards where he performed "All Day" as part of a showcase that displayed and honored South African music industry legends.[69]

In 2019, after taking a brief hiatus from the music industry to start a family with his wife, Sarah, Cruise announced that he had renewed his recording contract with David Gresham Records and had begun to record his third studio album.[16] Confluence, his third studio album, was released in 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic to critical acclaim. Described as a project where all of his "ideas, creativity, and work converge, making way for something more"[17] the album includes his latest hit singles "All Summer Long" and "Take Me To The River."

Discography

[edit]

South African singer and songwriter Connell Cruise has released three studio albums, one reissue album, two extended plays and eighteen singles.

Albums

[edit]
List of Studio Albums
Title Album Details
Connell Cruise
Barely Breathing
Confluence
List of Reissue Albums
Title Album Details
Connell Cruise [Deluxe Edition]

Extended plays

[edit]
List of Extended Plays
Titles EP Details
Connell Cruise EP
Into The Wild EP

Singles

[edit]
List of Singles, Year Released and Album Name
Title Year Album
"Not Just Friends" 2013 Connell Cruise
"Just For Christmas" Connell Cruise [Deluxe Edition]
"99%" 2014
"Oughta Tell You"
"Wake Me Up"
"Into The Wild" Into The Wild EP
"Forever"
"Unbelievable" 2015
"Meet Your Mother"
"I Am Your Man" 2016
"Let It Go"
"Congratulations" Barely Breathing
"All Day" 2017
"Wreckage"
"Broken Dreams"
"All Summer Long" 2019 Confluence
"Damaged People" 2020
"Take Me To The River"
[edit]
List of Albums as Featured Artist
Title Album Details
We Will Worship: The MoveMeant Begins
Now That's What I Call Music 56
Love Is Calling
List of Singles as Featured Artist, Year Released and Album Name
Title Year Album
"City of God"

(We Will Worship featuring Connell Cruise and Kabelo Mabalane)[77]

2012 We Will Worship: The MoveMeant Begins
"The Prayer"

(Audrey Mbuyazi featuring Connell Cruise)[78]

Audrey: Take My Life
"Miracle"

(DJ Dekstir featuring Connell Cruise)[79]

2017 Miracle
"Give Me Some"

(Mark Stent featuring Connell Cruise)[80]

Switch
"Somlandela (Love Is Calling)"

(Gracepoint Worship Music featuring Connell Cruise)[81]

Love Is Calling

Filmography

[edit]
Television
Year Title Season Role Network Notes
2012 South African Music Awards 17 We Will Worship SABC 1 Performed "Malibongwe"[82]
2017 The Voice South Africa 2 Himself M-net Guest Mentor & Performed "All Day"[83]
2018 Dancing with the Stars South Africa 1 Himself (Celebrity Contestant) M-net Winner[84]
2019 South African Music Awards 25 Himself SABC 1 Performed "All Day"[69]
2019 The Bachelor South Africa 1 Himself M-net Performed "All Day"[68]

Theatre

[edit]
Year Production Role Location Notes
2017 The Gospel Spectacular Himself (Headline with Mahalia Buchanan and Brian Temba)[85] The Joburg Theatre (Johannesburg, South Africa) Staged in the Mandela Auditorium (13–23 April)[86]

Awards

[edit]
Year Award Category Result
2011 MetroFM Music Award Best Urban Gospel Album for We Will Worship: The MoveMeant Begins[87] Won
2012 Crown Gospel Award Best Gospel Newcomer[88] Won
Crown Gospel Award Best Contemporary Album for We Will Worship: The MoveMeant Begins[89] Nominated
South African Music Award Best Contemporary Faith Album for We Will Worship: The MoveMeant Begins[90] Nominated
2014 South African Music Award Best Adult Contemporary Album for Connell Cruise[91] Nominated
South African Music Award Male Artist of the Year[91] Nominated
South African Music Award Record of the Year for "Not Just Friends"[92] Nominated
2018 South African Music Award Best Pop Album for Barely Breathing[58] Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Just cruisin'". News24. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  2. ^ Deluxe Edition by Connell Cruise, 1 December 2013, retrieved 22 May 2018
  3. ^ "Nominees for the 20th Annual South African Music Awards". News24. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Connell Cruise's Not Just Friends tops the Kia Take 40 SA chart". Media Update. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  5. ^ Vieira, Genevieve. "Connell Cruise: Cruising the USA". The Citizen. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  6. ^ "Connell Cruise signs international recording deal". News24. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  7. ^ "Connell Cruise-ing". www.bizcommunity.com. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  8. ^ Into the Wild - EP by Connell Cruise, 31 July 2015, retrieved 22 May 2018
  9. ^ https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/you-south-africa/20180510/281590946186132. Retrieved 22 May 2018 – via PressReader. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. ^ "Singer Connell Cruise weds Sarah Kingsburg". www.topbilling.com. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  11. ^ "Connell Cruise Announces New Album 'Barely Breathing' - El Broide". El Broide. 7 February 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  12. ^ a b "950_ConnellCruise". soundtracksmagazine.com. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  13. ^ "The SAMA nominations have officially been announced". Jacaranda FM. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  14. ^ "Pop star Connell Cruise joins Dancing with the Stars SA". Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  15. ^ "Connell Cruise and Marcella Solimeo Win Dancing With The Stars SA | People Magazine". www.peoplemagazine.co.za. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  16. ^ a b c Broide, El (15 July 2019). "Connell Cruise Renews Record Deal With David Gresham Records". People Magazine. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  17. ^ a b "Connell Cruise to launch compilation album 'Confluence'". Jacaranda FM. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  18. ^ News, Eyewitness. "[WATCH] SA vocalist Connell Cruise on making it overseas". Retrieved 28 May 2018. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  19. ^ "[Interview] Connell Cruise chatting music, moving to the USA and his latest EP, entitled INTO THE WILD. - Mixed Apples". mixedapples.co.za. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  20. ^ "Connell Cruise". www.bsharpentertainment.co.za/music. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  21. ^ Johannesburg, The University of the Witwatersrand. "2018 - Witsie newsmakers - Wits University". www.wits.ac.za. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  22. ^ "Connell Cruise hopes new show will help youth find Godly purpose". gatewaynews.co.za. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  23. ^ "Singer Connell Cruise weds Sarah Kingsburg". www.topbilling.com. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  24. ^ "Connell Cruise shares first snaps of his baby boy". Channel. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  25. ^ "Surprise! Connell Cruise is a daddy to a baby boy". TimesLIVE. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  26. ^ "Star Factory: It's Cruise with a missile". Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  27. ^ Devout. "Connell Cruise". www.onegospel.co.za. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  28. ^ "Connell Cruise". ishinesa.blogspot.co.za. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  29. ^ "The Thursday Interview: Connell Cruise - Love SA Music". Love SA Music. 11 July 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  30. ^ "The Thursday Interview: Connell Cruise - Love SA Music". Love SA Music. 11 July 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  31. ^ a b "Connell cruises onto charts with debut | IOL Entertainment". Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  32. ^ "Connell Cruise: "I'm still discovering the kind of artist I'd like to be" | LitNet". LitNet. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  33. ^ Into the Wild by Connell Cruise, 24 February 2015, retrieved 22 May 2018
  34. ^ "Connell Cruise signs massive international record deal with Sony/Epic Records!". 15 August 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  35. ^ "L.A Reid Signs Our Very Own Connell Cruise". Entertainment As Of Now. 15 August 2014. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  36. ^ "Connell Cruise signs massive international record deal with Sony/Epic Records!". 15 August 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  37. ^ News, Eyewitness. "[WATCH] SA vocalist Connell Cruise on making it overseas". Retrieved 22 May 2018. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  38. ^ "CONNELL CRUISE 'INTO THE WILD' SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR - Mixed Apples". mixedapples.co.za. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  39. ^ "To Do Today: Best Coast, Road Show, and SafetySuit". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  40. ^ "March Communion Club Night At Rockwood Music Hall". Pancakes And Whiskey. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  41. ^ a b "SafetySuit with Connell Cruise at U Street Music Hall | Eye On Annapolis". Eye On Annapolis. 18 February 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  42. ^ "Long Beach International Film Festival Takes Concept of "Dinner And A Movie" To Whole New Level – on the Beach". NewsLI.com. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  43. ^ "Firefly Music Festival Announces 2016 Lineup Featuring Mumford & Sons, Blink-182 And Florence + The Machine -". mxdwn Music. 18 November 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  44. ^ "Connell Cruise to tour SA". Get It Online Joburg North. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  45. ^ "A guide to NYC holiday concerts and events". BrooklynVegan. 25 November 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  46. ^ "Connell Cruise Won't Choose Between the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks". Billboard. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  47. ^ "NYC area concert listings for Feb. 15 – 21, 2016 | NextMosh.com". nextmosh.com. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  48. ^ "Weekly Music Agenda". DCist. Archived from the original on 5 February 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  49. ^ "The Fray - the Ticketpro Dome". the Ticketpro Dome. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  50. ^ "LIVE: WXLO 104.5 "Almost Acoustic Xmas" (Worcester, MA) 12/10/15 | adamlambertlive". www.adamlambertlive.org. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  51. ^ NuTickets. "Parklife Festival - Johannesburg - Sunday 3 May 2015 @ 10:00". breakout.nutickets.co.za. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  52. ^ "SafetySuit - Tickets - Troubadour - Los Angeles, CA - February 5th, 2016". Troubadour. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  53. ^ "MICK Spins for Nets at Halftime & Billboard Lounge Post-Game". Billboard. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  54. ^ "Firefly Fest Announces 2016 Lineup: Mumford & Sons, Deadmau5, and More". Billboard. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  55. ^ eMinor. "Watch Connell Cruise's Journey to Bonnaroo | ReverbNation". ReverbNation. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  56. ^ "Harry Belafonte Stars At Changemaker Gala At Greenwich Film Festival". Greenwich Daily Voice. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  57. ^ "Review: Connell Cruise - Barely Breathing - El Broide". El Broide. 24 February 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  58. ^ a b "The full list of SAMA nominees". Channel. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  59. ^ Sessions, Caferoux. "Connell Cruise & Michael Lowman – Live & Unplugged". Cafe Roux Sessions - showcasing top SA music in an intimate setting. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  60. ^ "Get To Know The Voice SA Guest Connell Cruise!". M-Net - It's Magic - Get To Know The Voice SA Guest Connell Cruise!. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  61. ^ Broide, El (22 April 2018). "Connell Cruise and Marcella Solimeo Win Dancing With The Stars SA". People Magazine. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  62. ^ "Lakeside resident wins Dancing with the Stars | Benoni City Times". Benoni City Times. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  63. ^ "Smelly shoes & 12 hour days in studio: Inside Connell Cruise's Dancing With The Stars win". Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  64. ^ "Connell Cruise on being crowned king of the dance floor: I didn't expect it". Channel. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  65. ^ "International pop star Connell Cruise renews contract with David Gresham Records". Sterre. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  66. ^ "Connell Cruise releases new studio album". Pieter Cloete (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  67. ^ Langa, Phumlani S. (17 February 2019). "A solo mission to a night for couples". CityPress. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  68. ^ a b Ferreira, Thinus (11 May 2019). "17 behind-the-scenes secrets of 'The Bachelor SA' finale". Channel. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  69. ^ a b "The 25th Sama Awards celebrated both SA icons and rising newcomers". Channel. 2 June 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  70. ^ Barely Breathing by Connell Cruise, 24 February 2017, retrieved 28 May 2018
  71. ^ Africa, AlgoaFM South. "Website". www.algoafm.co.za. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  72. ^ Deluxe Edition by Connell Cruise, 1 December 2013, retrieved 28 May 2018
  73. ^ "Connell Cruise - Not Just Friends (Ep)". SongLyrics.com. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  74. ^ Into the Wild - EP by Connell Cruise, 31 July 2015, retrieved 28 May 2018
  75. ^ The MoveMEANT Begins by We Will Worship, 30 August 2013, retrieved 28 May 2018
  76. ^ Love Is Calling by Gracepoint Worship Music, 23 November 2017, retrieved 28 May 2018
  77. ^ eMinor. "City of God | We Will Worship". ReverbNation. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  78. ^ "The Prayer (feat. Connell Cruise)" from Take My Life by Audrey M on iTunes, 1 March 2012, retrieved 28 May 2018
  79. ^ Miracle (feat. Connell Cruise) - Single by DJ Dekstir on iTunes, 8 May 2017, retrieved 28 May 2018
  80. ^ Give Me Some (feat. Connell Cruise) - Single by Fibonacci, 21 July 2017, retrieved 28 May 2018
  81. ^ Somlandela (With Love Is Calling) [feat. Connell Cruise] by Gracepoint Worship Music, 23 November 2017, retrieved 28 May 2018
  82. ^ wwwmovement (22 May 2012), We Will Worship "Malibongwe" Live performance at MTN SAMA 18, retrieved 28 May 2018
  83. ^ "Vote: 'The Voice SA' | WeekendSpecial". WeekendSpecial. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  84. ^ "M-Net Signs up one of SA's Biggest Hitmakers!". M-Net Signs up one of SA’s Biggest Hitmakers!. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  85. ^ "The Gospel Spectacular - B SHARP ENTERTAINMENT". B SHARP ENTERTAINMENT. 4 April 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  86. ^ "GOSPEL SPECTACULAR 2017 - Joburg Theatre". Joburg Theatre. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  87. ^ "2011 Metro FM Music Awards - all the winners | News | TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  88. ^ "5th SABC Crown Gospel Awards 2012 Winners | Parable Magazine". www.parable.co.za. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  89. ^ "We Will Worship | Merchant Music". merchantmusic.co.za. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  90. ^ "SAMA 2012 nominees announced". Channel24. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  91. ^ a b "A full list of all the 2014 SAMA nominees". Channel. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  92. ^ "Sama Record of the Year nominees announced | DESTINY Magazine". DESTINY Magazine. 8 April 2014. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
[edit]
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