Cover Drive – Polydor Records (UMG)
Cover Drive is the only act on this list to sign with a U.K. record label; Polydor Records in 2011. They were discovered shortly after launching their YouTube channel, where they uploaded videos of themselves singing covers of popular songs in their “Fedora Sessions”.
In 2011 they opened for Rihanna during the Barbados stop of her LOUD world Tour at Kensington Oval and toured with British rapper Dappy during his Rockstar Tour. The following year, in 2012, they opened for Kelly Clarkson during the European leg of her Stronger tour, as well as performed at the Sounds Festival U.K. and at Capital FM Summertime Ball. They documented their experience touring with Clarkson in their “Kelly Clarkson Tour Diaries” on their YouTube channel.
In January 2012 they were the headline performers at the Shine concert held at Ilaro Court. The event was a fundraiser for the construction of a $1.2 million pavilion at Queen’s College.
2012 was also the year in which the band released their debut album, Bajan Style, on May 7th. It reached number 14 on the UK Official Albums Chart Top 100 and had four singles: “Lick Ya Down”, “Twilight”, “Sparks”, and “Explode”. The version of “Explode” that was released as a single is not the same as the one on the album. The single version includes a verse from Dappy.
Released on August 28th, 2011, “Lick Ya Down” was produced by J.R Rotem. It peaked at number 3 on the U.K. Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40, number 9 on the U.K. Official Singles Chart Top 100, and number 11 on the Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100.
“Twilight” was released on January 22nd, 2012. It was the band’s first and only song to reach number one on the U.K. Official Singles Chart Top 100; an achievement which earned them an award from the Official Charts Company. “Twilight” reached number 3 on the Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 and number 30 in Ireland. In 2020 it was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry.
“Sparks” was released on April 29th, 2012. It reached number 4 on the U.K .Official Singles Chart Top 100, number 5 on the Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100, and number 29 in Ireland. It is featured on the 2012 compilation album Now That’s What I Call Music Vol 82.
“Explode” was released on August 26th 2012. It peaked at number 27 on the Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 and in Ireland and reached number 29 on the U.K. Official Singles Chart Top 100.
Cover Drive is featured on Far East Movement’s song “Turn Up The Love” and appear in the music video. The song appears in the video game Just Dance 2014 and is on President Barack Obama’s inaugural playlist.
They were nominated for Best Caribbean Performance at the 2012 Soul Train Music Awards. The other nominees were Jimmy Cliff, Damian Marley, Matisyahu, Sean Paul, and Rihanna.
Bajan Style is the only album that Cover Drive released with Polydor. Their 2013 EP Liming in Limbo and their 2017 second album Fall Forward were released independently. They also released several singles, like “All My Love”, “Whatever Suits You”, “Love Junkie” and their Crop Over songs “Dis Ain’t Love”, “Make Noise”, and “Up On It” after leaving the label.
As an independent act they toured the U.K. and did a school tour in Barbados, as well as a U.S. college tour. Throughout their career they shared their experiences with their fans in web series like Weekend Lime and Chasing Cover Drive.
The band split up in 2018.
