Billy Crawford

Billy Crawford
Billy Crawford, in 2018
Born
Billy Joe Ledesma Crawford

(1982-05-16) May 16, 1982 (age 41)
Manila, Philippines
Occupations
  • Actor
  • musician
  • singer
  • comedian
  • dancer
  • television host
Years active1986–present
Spouse
(m. 2018)
Children1
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
  • drums
Labels

Billy Joe Ledesma Crawford (born May 16, 1982) is a Filipino actor and singer. Crawford is a recipient of two NRJ Music Awards, a FAMAS Award and a special Ani ng Dangal award from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Crawford made his television debut as a child performer on the variety show That's Entertainment. As a child actor, he received repeated acclaim for his performances in films such as Lost Command and Sandakot Na Bala (both 1988) and television programs such as Lovingly Yours, Helen. In 1994, at age 12, Crawford left the Philippines for the U.S., enrolling at the Professional Performing Arts School, New York City; less than one year later, he was chosen to be one of Michael Jackson's back-up dancers for a performance at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards.

Following his eventual graduation from performing arts high school, and subsequent return to the Philippines, Billy Crawford: It's Time was staged at the Araneta Coliseum as his homecoming special. In 2022, he was announced as the grand winner of the French dance competition program, Danse avec les Stars (English: ‘dance with the stars’).

Having sold an estimated 2 million records worldwide, Crawford is among the best-selling Filipino artists of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. He released three studio albums under V2 Records, the first being his self-titled debut album. In 2002, he released his sophomore album Ride. It was a commercial success, being certified Gold in Switzerland by the IFPI and Platinum in France by the SNEP. It produced his most successful single, "Trackin", which was a massive chart success across Europe. It reached No. 1 in the Netherlands, peaked at No. 11 on the European Hot 100 Singles and sold 500,000 units in France.

Early life and career

Billy Joe Ledesma Crawford was born in Manila, Philippines, to a Filipino mother from Jaro, Iloilo City named Mayette Ledesma and an American father named Jack Crawford. He has two half-brothers.

Crawford was discovered at the early age of 3 years, singing at a bowling alley that his mother often visited. He became a series regular on an afternoon GMA Network television show called That's Entertainment under the name Billy Joe. Afterwards, he acted in various screen works such as the films Lost Command and Sandakot Na Bala and the anthology drama series Lovingly Yours, Helen, with his performances being consistently acclaimed. For his performance in the latter's episode "My Brother, My Friend" in 1988, Meg Mendoza of the Manila Standard stated that Crawford was "the most natural child actor we've seen after Jay Ilagan", though she noted that his Tagalog can be improved upon.

He attended the Imus Unida Christian School in the Philippines until his departure for the US when he was 12 and balanced both his professional acting and his studies. In the United States, he started a music career, performing mostly in the United Kingdom and France, as well as in Asia. His early career started in Dallas, Texas, where he lived and performed his singing and then moved to New York City. During this time, he legally changed his stage name to Billy Crawford. He first went to P.S./I.S. 217 Roosevelt Island Public School and then to Professional Performing Arts School in New York City with other famous professional children, such as Lee Thompson Young, Mandy Moore and Nina Sky.

In 1995, when he was 13, he landed his first professional gig as a backup dancer for Michael Jackson for his performance of Dangerous at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards.

Albums

Billy Crawford (1997–1999)

Crawford recorded his self-titled first album Billy Crawford (which included hits such as "Urgently in Love" and "Mary Lopez") when he was 15 years old.

Ride (2001–2002)

In 2001, "Trackin'" was the first single from the album Ride and can be deemed as the singer's most successful hit single: it peaked at number five for five weeks in France and was certified platinum. As of August 2014, it was the 74th best-selling single of the 21st century in France, with 343,000 units sold. The song reached No. 1 in the Netherlands, No. 2 in Belgium, No. 3 in Switzerland and No. 20 in Germany. In the UK, the song was released as the third single after "You Didn't Expect That" in August 2003 and reached No. 32 on the UK chart.

By April 2002, Crawford was back on the scene with his second album, Ride. This was certified gold in France (selling 100,000 copies) within just a few weeks and gold in Switzerland. The album went on to achieve platinum status in the French market (selling 300,000 copies) and a total of 600,000 copies has been sold to date. As for singles, following the success of the second track, "When You Think About Me" (over 250,000 copies sold in France), Crawford returned in September 2002 with a third single from the Ride album, "You Didn't Expect That", which went directly into the top 5 and was certified gold in December, having sold more than 250,000 copies in just a few weeks. After this grand success, he returned in 2003 with two versions of a previously unreleased track: the English version of "Someone Like You" and a special Franco-English version for France, "Me passer de toi", which stayed in the singles charts for some weeks.

Big City (2004–2005)

The album Big City was produced by some of the best producers in the American music industry such as Kovas (Ghettobeat Production), J Que (from "The Clutch"), Tricky Stewart and Laney Stewart (RedZone Entertainment), The CornaBoyz, Pale Face, Desmond Child and Stargate. He left his old company, V2 records, wanting to expand his career into something bigger.

Big City Tour Live (2005)

Big City Tour Live is the live release DVD album from Crawford. The DVD was released in France in 2005. It was directed by Michel Jankielewicz, produced by Yves El-Baze and distributed by UMG (2005) (worldwide) (DVD). The budget of this album was €150,000 (estimated).

It's Time (2007)

It's Time is the fourth studio album by Crawford. It was released in 2007 with its first single, "Like That".

Groove (2009)

Groove is the fifth studio album by Crawford. It contains re-workings of classic hits from the 1970s and 1980s.

Sky Is the Limit (2013)

Sky Is the Limit is the first EP (and sixth release) by Crawford. It features five new tracks as well as one remix and one instrumental. It was released through the independent label, Jackpot Records.

Work in Progress (2019)

In 2019, Crawford released the single "Filipina Girl" as the carrier single from the album Work in Progress. It consists of ten tracks with a bonus track featuring Marcus Davis Jr. who produced the album. He once said that the album is dedicated to his wife Coleen García who motivated him to go back to music. Work in Progress was released March 22, 2019 under Viva Records.

Music and television career

Crawford had major chart success in France and other parts of Europe but did not repeat this success in the United Kingdom and the United States, although his single "You Didn't Expect That" did make the lower reaches of the UK Top 40, peaking at number 35. He also contributed a cover of the original Pokémon TV series theme song for Pokémon: The First Movie. In 2002, Crawford also appeared at a popular Filipino-American event called "Fiesta Filipina", held in San Francisco, California.

Crawford's album Big City was released in 2004 in France and Asia only. The single "Bright Lights" was unable to break into any Top 10 charts. The second single "Steamy Nights", produced by Kovas – Ghetto Beat, fared better, making the Top 40, and was featured on 7 compilations across Europe and was the first single in Germany. Crawford's music video for "Steamy Nights" was shot in Los Angeles, California, and was produced with the same people who worked on the Destiny's Child single "Lose My Breath". Actress Jenna Dewan, who was one of the main characters in the popular 2006 film Step Up, was featured as Crawford's dance partner.

Another song from the album, "Candy Store", was leaked from the album and received airplay on London radio. Thought to be a duet with Ginuwine, it is featured on the Big City album. After doing the first-ever online reality show The MSN Dance Show, his third single from the album, "3 Wishes", was canceled by his label. Crawford felt that it was time for something new and decided not to re-sign his contract with V2 Records. The same year, he voiced Dean in the 1st episode from the 3rd season of the animated TV show Totally Spies!.

Crawford in London, November 2009

In 2006, Crawford began recording a new album which was expected to be released in 2007. In 2006, he toured during the summer with the group L5 in France and in November he was scheduled to return to his home country to shoot a film. That same year, he was recorded a cover of Super Freak by Rick James from the French animated film Asterix and the Vikings.

In 2007, Billy Crawford returned to the Philippines to host the dance reality show "MOVE: The Search for Billy Crawford's Pinoy Dancers" on GMA Network. The program aimed to select six backup dancers, known as The Movers, for his inaugural Philippine concert, 'Billy Crawford: It's Time,' held at the Araneta Coliseum. The show's main judge, known as the Move Master, was Marie Courchinoux, also called 'Maryss from Paris.' Initially, six Movers were chosen, with a seventh later added to complete the crew. The official dancers for Crawford included Darcy Godoy, JM Vergara, Aizel Moñeva, AJ Sarate, Jobel Dayrit, Daniel Agbisit, and Mich Garong. Following the successful concert, Crawford returned to the United States to pursue various projects and fulfill commitments.[citation needed]

In 2008, upon his return to the Philippines, Crawford signed with ABS-CBN as an exclusive artist. He became a regular on the Sunday variety show ASAP and later hosted Pinoy Dream Academy Überture, a reality search that involves the skill of singing.

In 2009, he returned to acting via Your Song Presents with his partner and fellow singer Nikki Gil. He also released his fifth studio album Groove in the Philippines as well as worldwide digital services later that year. He also hosted a former talent show, Showtime.

In 2010, he hosted Pilipinas Got Talent with fellow co-host Luis Manzano. Both of them won as Best Talent Search Program Hosts at the 24th PMPC Star Awards for TV.

From 2011 to 2020, Crawford hosted with Vhong Navarro and other hosts in the weekday variety show It's Showtime.

In 2013, he launched his initial EP, "Sky Is the Limit," under the independent label Jackpot Records, marking his return to music since 2009. On April 4, 2014, he extended his contract with Universal Records and announced plans to release a new album later that year. In 2017, during the promotion of a Soul Brothers concert featuring him, he performed his latest single, "Future," dedicated to his wife, Coleen García.

In September 2020, Crawford transferred to TV5 Network, as he hosted the Philippine version of The Masked Singer and the noontime variety show Lunch Out Loud, which later reformatted to Tropang LOL and simulcasted to Kapamilya Channel and A2Z in 2022 until its conclusion in 2023. He began hosting game show The Wall Philippines in 2021. as the latter moved to GMA Network for its second season in 2022, it also marked Crawford's return to his home network after 15 years.

He participated in the French television dance competition "Danse avec les stars" and won the competition with his partner, Fauve Hautot.

In 2023, Crawford became one of the coaches in The Voice Generations, along with Parokya ni Edgar's frontman Chito Miranda, Julie Anne San Jose and SB19 member Stell.

Legal issues

In September 2014, Crawford was involved in an incident at a Bonifacio Global City police precinct where he allegedly flew into a drunken rage, injuring a desk officer and damaging the precinct's glass door in the ensuing scuffle.

Crawford, who had no prior history of legal incidents, has since issued an apology to his fans and to the officers whom he crossed paths with, though mischief and assault charges have been filed against him.

Personal life

After moving to the United States at age 12, Crawford lived in Dallas and then New York City and has also lived in Paris and spent one year residing in London. He also lived in Los Angeles in 2007. He is multilingual, his first language being Tagalog, his second English and third French.

After Crawford returned to the Philippines, he dated singer-actress Nikki Gil. In 2013, Crawford and Gil broke up. The next year, he began dating his co-host Coleen García from It's Showtime!. The two became engaged on December 20, 2016, and married on April 20, 2018. On September 10, 2020, they welcomed their son, Amari.

Discography

Albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Sales Certifications
BEL
FRA
GER
NL
SWI
1999 Billy Crawford
  • Released: June 15, 1999
  • Label: V2
2002 Ride
  • Released: July 8, 2002
  • Label: V2
22 7 73 53 17
  • FRA: 320,000–418,200
2005 Big City
  • Released: April 12, 2005
  • Label: V2
32 12 84
2007 It's Time
  • Released: September 24, 2007
  • Label: MCA
2009 Groove[C]
  • PHI: Gold
2019 Work in Progress
  • Released: March 22, 2019
  • Label: Viva
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that country.

EPs

Year EP details
2013 Sky Is the Limit
  • Released: May 21, 2013
  • Label: Jackpot

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Sales Certifications Album
AUT
BEL
FRA
GER
NL
NZ
SWE
SWI
UK
1998 "Urgently in Love" 64 94 90 12 28 48 Billy Crawford
1999 "Supernatural" 124
"Mary Lopez" 15 82
"Pokémon Theme 2" Pokémon: The First Movie Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture
2001 "When You're in Love with Someone"[A] Ride
2002 "Trackin'" 55 3 5 23 1 33 5 32
  • FRA: Platinum
"When You Think About Me"[B] 21 14 48 16 24
  • FRA: 125,000+
  • FRA: Gold
"You Didn't Expect That" 13 6 82 56 23 35
  • FRA: 250,000
  • FRA: Gold
2003 "Me passer de toi (Someone Like You)" 36 11 28
  • FRA: 20,000+
2004 "Bright Lights" 2 12 46 Big City
2005 "Steamy Nights" 42
2007 "It's Time" It's Time
"Like That"
2009 "Steal Away"[C] Groove
"Human Nature"[C]
2010 "You've Got a Friend" (featuring Nikki Gil)[C]
2019 "Filipina Girl" (featuring Marcus Davis Jr. and James Reid) Work in Progress
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that country.

Notes

  • A^ Song was released in the United States in 2001, and internationally in 2003.
  • B^ Song was originally recorded by the Filipino-American girl group One Voice.
  • C^ Album and songs were released only in the Philippines, and therefore, did not chart as there are no official albums and singles charts in the Philippines.

Filmography

Films
Year Title Role Notes
1988 Lost Command David Credited as Billy Joe Crawford
Sandakot Na Bala Jun Jun
1989 Pardina at ang Mga Duwende Bambi
Pahiram ng Isang Umaga Chad
Bote, Dyaryo, Garapa
Everlasting Love
1990 Kasalanan ang Buhayin Ka
Dine Dinero
1991 Eh, Kasi Bata Daryll
1993 Taong Gubat Billy Crawford's Last Seiko Films film
2005 Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist Cheche
2012 Moron 5 and the Crying Lady Isaac Estrada Billy Crawford's 1st Viva Films film
2013 Momzillas Elwood del Valle Billy Crawford's 1st Star Cinema film
2014 Moron 5.2: The Transformation Isaac Estrada
2015 A Second Chance Pedro Gonzales
That Thing Called Tanga Na Baldo
2020 Mia Noah
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1986–1994 That's Entertainment Himself
1986–1992 Lovingly Yours, Helen Guesting
1989–1993 Coney Reyes on Camera
1997–2008 Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman Host / Performer
2005 Totally Spies! Dean Original French voice
2007 Celebrity Duets: Philippine Edition Himself Guesting as Tessa Prieto-Valdez's duet partner
2008–2020 ASAP
2008 Pinoy Dream Academy Host
2009 Maalaala Mo Kaya Toto Episode "Kalendaryo"
Your Song Buboy/Brian Flores Episode "If Your Not the One"
2010 Pilipinas Got Talent (season 1) Himself Host
Wowowee Guest co-host
Panahon Ko 'to!: Ang Game Show ng Buhay Ko Host with Luis Manzano
2011 Pilipinas Got Talent (season 2) Host
2011–2018, 2019, 2023 It's Showtime Host/Judge in Tawag ng Tanghalan
2011 Star Power Judge
2012 Pilipinas Got Talent (season 3) Host
2013 Pilipinas Got Talent (season 4)
2014 Aquino & Abunda Tonight Guest host
The Singing Bee
2015 Your Face Sounds Familiar (season 1) Host
Sabado Badoo Himself; credited as Billy Joe Crawford Cameo footage featured
Your Face Sounds Familiar (season 2) Himself Host
Celebrity Playtime Host (episodes 1–7)
2016 Pilipinas Got Talent (season 5) Host
Pinoy Boyband Superstar
2017 Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids (season 1)
Little Big Shots
2018 Pilipinas Got Talent (season 6)
I Can See Your Voice Guesting
Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids (season 2) Host
2019 World of Dance Philippines Judge
Search for the Idol Philippines Host
Your Moment Judge
2020–2023 Lunch Out Loud / Tropang LOL Host
2020–2022 Masked Singer Pilipinas
2021–2022 The Wall Philippines
2022 Danse avec les stars 2022 (Dancing with the Stars France Season 12) Competitor
2023 TiktoClock Guest host
The Voice Generations Judge

In 2007, Crawford received an offer to do a dance film called Back Down. He was also supposed to read for a film with Whoopi Goldberg, but these Hollywood productions were pushed back. Crawford's life story has also been shown on the Philippine television drama show Maalaala Mo Kaya.

Awards and nominations

Award Year Category Nominee(s)/work(s) Result Ref.
Eastwood City Walk of Fame 2007 Celebrity Inductee Billy Crawford Won
Myx Music Award 2008 Favorite Urban Video Like That Won
NRJ Music Award 2002 Best Newcomer of the Year Billy Crawford Won
2003 International Male Artist of the Year Won
PMPC Star Awards in Music 2019 Male Recording Artist of the Year Filipina Girl Nominated
PMPC Star Awards in Television 2010 Best Talent Program Host (with Luis Manzano) for Pilipinas Got Talent) Won
Wish Music Awards 2018 Wishclusive R&B Performance of the Year Future Nominated

This page was last updated at 2024-03-14 15:11 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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