Mr Hudson

Life and career

1979–2006: Early life and career beginnings

Born in Birmingham, Hudson grew up in the Handsworth area of the city.

Before Mr Hudson formed 'Mr Hudson and the Library' he was in 'Mansize', 'The Hudson Sound' and 'Phoenix Green'. 'The Hudson Sound' and 'Phoenix Green' featured Ali Forbes, Jarvy Moss, Ben Westwood and Mr Hudson's brother Jon McIldowie. They enjoyed considerable success in the Birmingham area and elsewhere with a regular spot at Ronnie Scott's in Birmingham. 'Mansize' featured later collaborator Robin French.

2006–08: The Library and ''A Tale of Two Cities''

Hudson embarked on his music career when he formed Mr Hudson and the Library, composed of Maps Huxley aka Robin French (bass), Wilkie Wilkinson (drums), Joy Joseph (steel drums, vocals) and Torville Jones (piano). The first result, an EP entitled Bread & Roses, came out via Deal Real in October 2006. The group toured with Amy Winehouse in early 2007 in support of their debut album, A Tale of Two Cities, released through Deal Real/Mercury. Mr. Hudson was first featured on Later with Jools Holland on 8 December 2006.

The production on the band's debut album uses acoustic guitar interspersed with piano, backing vocals and bass guitar, steelpan, electric drums and unusual rhythm patterns. Two of the tracks from A Tale of Two Cities are covers; "On the Street Where You Live", is a cover of a number from the musical My Fair Lady and "Everything Happens to Me" was popularised by Frank Sinatra and Chet Baker.

In 2007, Mr Hudson and the Library embarked on a tour through twelve British libraries as part of the 'Get It Loud' initiative, and also supported Amy Winehouse on her tour, along with Paolo Nutini, Mika and Groove Armada. During the summer of 2007 they appeared at several UK festivals, including Glastonbury, T in the Park, The Big Chill, V Festival, Godiva Festival, and Bestival. In October 2007, the band played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in support of The Police. They also supported Kanye West on his Europe leg of his Glow in the Dark Tour, performing in Dublin, Belfast and other European cities.

In 2008, Mr. Hudson began recording as a solo artist. Although the name 'The Library' was no longer used, these musicians formed his backing band for live performances.

2009–12: Solo career, ''Straight No Chaser''

Sessions for Straight No Chaser initially started at Gizzard Studios in Bow, East London. Ed Deegan who had previously worked at Toe Rag Studios near by was acting as engineer, but Mr. Hudson received an offer from Kanye West to produce his album. Mr. Hudson appears on Kanye West's fourth album, 808s & Heartbreak featured on "Paranoid". He also co-produced "Street Lights" as well as supplying additional vocals on "Say You Will" and "Amazing". Kanye West has stated: "I believe Mr. Hudson has the potential to be bigger than me, to be one of the most important artists of his generation". The single Supernova was premiered on 13 May 2009 on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show and then released on 19 July 2009. It debuted at Number 2 in the UK singles chart on 26 July 2009. Calvin Harris remixed the track.

Mr Hudson's new album – Straight No Chaser was released on 4 August 2009 (via GOOD Music and Mercury Records), executive produced by Kanye West. "I wanted to make a mainstream record, not structured or ornate," he explains. "The first album feels like an Escher drawing, all these layers and you don't know where you're going at any point. The way the songs are written and produced on this one is much more direct. It's not trying to reinvent the wheel. It's straight, no chaser."[10]

In an interview, singer Ben Hudson was asked to describe the album: "My mission statement was to make a pop record, but not a throwaway pop record. My heroes are people like Bowie and Prince and Damon Albarn. I didn't want to do anything niche. Kanye threw down the gauntlet. He said, 'Let's see if we can make you a popstar'. I was like 'Let's have a go!'. It's a bit more widescreen, a bit more punchy, but the eclecticism of the first record's still there. There's a tune where I'm a cross between Deliverance and Sade".

In 2009, Hudson guested on Playing with Fire by N-Dubz.

In the autumn of 2009, Mr. Hudson supported Calvin Harris on his UK tour. Mr. Hudson's headline tour to support the album Straight No Chaser was in October 2009. Before the year was out, Hudson made a featured appearance on Jay-Z's The Blueprint 3, the track, "Young Forever", was a reworking of Alphaville's 1984 song "Forever Young". In May 2010 Mr. Hudson embarked on a sold out national UK tour, with supporting Jay Z in Birmingham & Manchester arena shows plus Isle of Wight & Wireless festivals.

In 2010, Mr. Hudson collaborated with British dubstep artist Caspa on the track "Love Never Dies (Back for the First Time)", which is a new version of a previous Caspa track known simply as "Back for the First Time". Rapper Nero appeared on the remix. On 29 July it was named by BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe as his Hottest Record in the World Today. Mr. Hudson was featured on Jay-Z and Kanye West's album Watch the Throne (2011), appearing on "Why I Love You".

In 2012 Hudson was featured on the UK Top 10 single "Charge", by Sway.

2013–2017: Writing and Production

In March 2013, Mr. Hudson debuted the new single "Fred Astaire" via SoundCloud. "Fred Astaire" would later be released as a commercial single in August of the same year, with accompanying video directed by prominent English portrait and fashion photographer Rankin and photographer Vicky Lawton. Since then he has released additional tracks taken from the album: "Move" with Rankin shooting the video exclusively for Hunger TV, in December 2013 and "Step into The Shadows" featuring Idris Elba in May 2014.

In November, Epic Records recording artist Future released the track "Real and True" featuring Miley Cyrus & Mr. Hudson in the US. The track was co written by Mr. Hudson with the video shot by photographer Rankin. December 2013 saw the release of Rebecca Ferguson's album entitled Freedom with the track "Beautiful Design" which Mr. Hudson co wrote and produced. 2014 saw the release of Idris Elba's Idris Elba presents Mi Mandela on which Hudson features and co-produced. The same year Hudson collaborated with Paloma Faith on the track "Take Me" on her third studio album A Perfect Contradiction.

Hudson spent most of 2014 writing and producing Paper Gods by Duran Duran, released 11 September 2015. Lead singer Simon le Bon had this to say of Hudson's involvement: "Him coming on board was a very crucial stage actually, it glued it all together. Before we had a bunch of different songs and he brought it together and gave it a direction. He also gave us the confidence to leave each other's space, and this is the first time we have got this on an album." In October 2015, Hudson released a single titled, "Dancing Thru It", followed by the critically acclaimed "Hey You".

5 August 2016, saw the release of Mr. Hudson's co-write & feature with DJ Snake, "Here Comes the Night" from Snake's debut album Encore. The acoustic version was released on 7 April in the remix package

16 September 2016, Hudson's co-write for JP Cooper's "September Song" was released.

8 January 2017, appeared as a special guest at the Celebrating David Bowie concert at the O2 Brixton Academy with Gary Oldman & Mike Garson, singing a rendition of Bowie's "Starman". Hudson sang with Bowie's band, Mike Garson, Gail Ann Dorsey, Earl Slick and more for the 'Celebrating David Bowie' shows in London, New York and Los Angeles. He has continued to tour with the line up in 2018 in the UK, Europe and the USA.

Hudson's features and co-writes in 2017 include with Vic Mensa "Almost There" for Mensa's Masterpiece EP, "She's on My Mind" by JP Cooper, "Beatnik Trip" by Gin Wigmore and Bearson "Cold War".

Hudson also released two of his own tracks late in 2017. "Can't Forget You" released on 29 September and "Coldplay" featuring Vic Mensa, world premiered on 5 December with Zane Lowe on Beats1 Radio.

2018–2019: Writing, production and ''When the Machine Stops''

Mr. Hudson's co-write with Alexander DeLeon 'Zombie Love' was released on 30 March followed by his track with Janelle Monáe feat Zoe Kravitz "Screwed" on 27 April, taken from the album Dirty Computer. Mr. Hudson appeared on Kanye West and Kid Cudi's collaboration album "Kids See Ghosts" where he sang the outro to the final song, "Cudi Montage". Hudson's co-write for Jonas Blue featuring Joe Jonas "I See Love" was released 29 June for the Hotel Transylvania 3 soundtrack. On 10 August Jake Shears' debut solo album was released, on which Hudson co-wrote the tracks "Clothes Off", "Mississippi Delta", and "Big Bushy Mustache".

Hudson co-wrote and featured on 'Deserve It' from Vic Mensa's Hooligans EP, released on 13 December followed by his co-write with JP Cooper 'Cheerleader' on 14 December.

Faustix's single "Thorns" released on 29 March by Big Beat/Atlantic was co-written by Hudson.

On 19 April 2019 Hudson revealed his first new original song in 10 years, titled "Antidote", written and produced with Jon Hume. Hudson's co-write with Hopium, "I Forget My Name", was released on 17 May followed by Hudson's second solo single "Chicago" featuring Vic Mensa. He later confirmed that both "Antidote" and "Chicago" would feature on his album When the Machine Stops, released 21 June 2019.

In addition to Mensa, When the Machine Stops also features Schae, Taylor Bennett, Josh Dean, Petite Noir, and Goody Grace. In an interview with Spindle Magazine, Hudson described his influences in making the album as:

On 28 May 2019, Taylor Bennett's album The American Reject was released featuring a Hudson co-write and feature on the track "I Miss You". On 28 June, Hudson's co-write with Lontalius "Make My Dreams Come True" was released.

Hudson's co-write with Samm Henshaw and DJ Khalil "Rise" is featured on the Godfather of Harlem soundtrack curated by Swizz Beatz.

2020–present

On 21 February 2020 JP Cooper's "Bits & Pieces" was released, co-written and produced by Hudson. June 2020 saw Hudson's writing and production work featured on John Legend's album Bigger Love for track "Never Break". Later on 26 June "Too Close", a song Hudson co-wrote with JP Cooper, was released as part of the EP also titled Too Close which also includes "Bits & Pieces". In December 2020 Taylor Bennett released his track "Don't Wait Up" featuring and co-written by Mr Hudson. 26 February 2021 Hudson's production and co-write with Goody Grace "21 & Jaded" was released. In March 2021 Hudson's work with John Legend on "Never Break" received a Grammy Award for Best R&B album. On 23 April 2021 Charlotte Cardin released "Je Quitte" which was co-written and produced by Hudson and in May 2022 won multiple Juno awards and reached platinum sales in Canada. In June 2021 San Holo released the album BB U OK? with the track "The Great Clown Pagliacci" sampling Hudson's "Closing Time". May 13, 2022 saw the release of Johan Lenox's interlude track "Burning Sky" co-written & featuring Hudson from the album WDYWTBWYGU.

Releases in 2022 for Hudson include The 1975 "About You" from the album Being Funny in a Foreign Language, Lloyiso "Run", Lenii "Already Famous", Henry Wagons "Cover My Eyes", Ampersounds (Fred Falke and Zen Freeman) "Nightdrive", Harry Hudson EP A Deer in Headlights, GuiltyBeatz "Universe", and Zachary Knowles "Wrong Side"

Hudson's first release of 2023 was Neve's track "Should Have Been Us" followed in April by his co-write & feature "Memories" with French duo Picard Brothers. Also in April, Renao's track "Blind" featured Hudson as a co-writer, and in August, "Looping" with Charlotte Cardin was released from her Juno Award-winning album 99 nights.

In October 2023 Duran Duran released their 16th album Danse Macabre. Hudson co-wrote & produced Danse Macabre and Confessions In The Afterlife

In 2024 Hudson's collaborations included releases with Stefflon Don "Dem Evil" from the album Island 54, Beth Morgan's "Shy Love" and Sofia Isella's "Sex Concept" from the EP I Can Be Your Mother. Later that same year Hudson featured on and co-wrote "Without Words", his second release with San Holo and in July "Waiting On A Blue Sky" with JP Cooper.

17 January 2025, JP Cooper released Hudson-cowritten "Talking To Strangers" from his upcoming album. In late January the same year "Dog's Dinner" Hudson's collaboration with Sofia Isella was released from Sofia's forthcoming EP.

Discography

Main article: Mr Hudson discography

• A Tale of Two Cities (2007) (as Mr Hudson and the Library)
• Straight No Chaser (2009)
• Never Grow Up (with Rosie Oddie, as BIGkids) (2012)
• When the Machine Stops (2019)

Awards and nominations

• Q Awards 2009
  • Q awards – Best Breakthrough Act – Won
• MOBO Awards 2009
  • Best UK Act – Nominated
  • Best Video "Supernova" – Nominated
• UMA Awards UK & France 2009
  • Best Collaboration ft Kanye West – "Supernova" – Nominated
  • Best Newcomer – Nominated
  • Best R&B Act – Nominated
• MOBO Awards 2010
  • Best Song "Playing with Fire" – Won

References

References

1. O'Brien, Jon. (4 August 2009). "Straight No Chaser – Mr. Hudson | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic.
2. (12 October 2009). "Mr Hudson". HEARST UK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK.
3. "Paloma Faith confirms new album, out March 10".
4. "Duran Duran Breaks Down Mr. Hudson, Nile Rodgers & Lindsay Lohan Collabos in Behind-The-Scenes Look at 'Paper Gods'".
5. "JP Cooper releases new promotional single "She's on My Mind"".
6. "MILEY CYRUS HELPS FUTURE AND MR. HUDSON SING THE MOST DEPRESSING LOVE SONG EVER IN 'REAL AND TRUE'". MTV News.
7. "Here Comes The Night (ID Remix) (feat. Mr Hudson)".
8. (5 December 2017). "Vic Mensa and Mr Hudson Reflect on Coldplay in New Song: Listen".
9. "Bigger Love by John Legend".
10. (2006). "Mr. Hudson & The Library – The Bread + Roses EP". discogs.
11. (2 March 2007). "Mr. Hudson and the Library, A Tale of Two Cities". The Guardian.
12. "Later...With Jools Holland Episode 6 Later... with Jools Holland, Series 28 Episode 6". BBC.
13. "Get It Loud in Libraries".
14. Reid, Rasheem. (24 November 2008). "Kanye West says Mr. Hudson 'Could be bigger than me'". MTV (media).
15. (12 October 2009). "Mr Hudson – Music Interview". Digital Spy.
16. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chartblog/2010/01/ndubz_ft_mr_hudson_playing_wit.shtml N-Dubz ft. Mr Hudson – 'Playing With Fire'], Fraser McAlpine, BBC Radio 1 Chart Show, 14 January 2010.
17. Lowe, Zane. "Zane Lowe's Hottest Records blog: Caspa ft. Mr. Hudson – Love Never Dies (Back For The First Time)". BBC.
18. Copsey, Robert. (29 October 2012). "Sway, Mr. Hudson unveil 'Charge' music video".
19. "BEHIND THE SCENES: MR HUDSON – MOVE". Hunger TV.
20. (8 May 2014). ["Mr. Hudson feat. Idris Elba – Step into The Shadows Lyric Video] – SB.TV – The UK's leading online youth broadcaster". Sbtv.co.uk.
21. "Future Premieres 'Real And True' Video Ft. Miley Cyrus".
22. (21 November 2014). "Idris Elba Presents mi Mandela, album review: A marvellous alliance of ancient and modern styles".
23. "Paloma Faith Unites With Pharrell & John Legend On Third Album".
24. (5 September 2014). "DURAN DURAN'S NEW ALBUM IS "EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED FROM A DURAN ALBUM"".
25. (18 June 2015). "Simon Le Bon on Duran Duran tour and working with Mark Ronson on new album".
26. "PREMIERE: MR. HUDSON – "DANCING THRU IT"". Pigeons And Planes.
27. "DJ Snake Humbled by Instant Success of Star-Studded 'Encore'". CBS Local Media.
28. (8 April 2017). "DJ SNAKE'S 'HERE COMES THE NIGHT' GETS REMIXED BY NGHTMRE, CRANKDAT & MORE [LISTEN]".
29. (9 January 2017). "David Bowie's gig at Brixton Academy was the celebration of his life that we needed".
30. ""Celebrating David Bowie" Reveals Special Guests for North American Tour".
31. "Vic Mensa Unleashes New Project 'The Manuscript' Feat. Pharrell, Pusha T & Mr. Hudson".
32. "JP Cooper releases new promotional single "She's on My Mind"".
33. "GIN WIGMORE – BEATNIK TRIP".
34. "Bearson Unveils Mr Hudson Collaboration 'Cold War'".
35. (27 September 2017). "Mr Hudson Returns With New Song and Video: Watch". Pitchfork.
36. (5 December 2017). "Mr Hudson Returns With New Song and Video: Watch". Pitchfork.
37. "Listen to "Mr. Hudson and Zane Lowe" posted by Zane Lowe on Apple Music.".
38. "Janelle Monae premieres music video for new single "Pynk"".
39. "Jonas Blue Premieres New Song 'I See Love' featuring Joe Jonas from the Hotel Transylvania 3 Soundtrack".
40. (15 December 2018). "Vic Mensa Teams Up With Mr. Hudson On "Deserve It"".
41. "Cheerleader (Demo) JP Cooper".
42. (29 March 2019). "Faustix – Thorns". discogs.
43. "Antidote Mr. Hudson".
44. "Mr. Hudson Calls On Vic Mensa to Show His 'Chicago' Pride For New Track: Premiere".
45. (14 May 2019). "INTERVIEW: Hopium Touches Base Ahead Of New Single 'I Forget My Name'".
46. "Meet The Creative Mr Hudson".
47. (28 May 2019). "The American Reject – [Taylor Bennett]".
48. (28 June 2019). "Interview: Lontalius on coming back home to find his sound".
49. "'Godfather of Harlem' debuts Sunday; Dave East & A$AP Ferg share song off soundtrack".
50. "New Music Friday!".
51. "Bigger Love by John Legend".
52. (28 June 2020). "JP Cooper unveils new EP 'Too Close'".
53. "Taylor Bennett Returns With His Latest "Don't Wait Up" Featuring Mr. Hudson What about dreams and happiness?". Elevator.
54. "21 & Jaded".
55. (22 April 2021). "JOHN LEGEND". Recording Academy.
56. "Je Quitte Charlotte Cardin".
57. (16 May 2022). "Juno Awards: Charlotte Cardin Dominates With Four Wins Including Artist of the Year". Penske Media Corporation.
58. "Burning Sky".
59. "About You ~ Recording by The 1975".
60. (23 March 2023). "Lenii Opens Up About Her New EP 'Zero Sypathy'".
61. (8 February 2023). "HENRY WAGONS third solo album SOUTH OF EVERYWHERE album is out today".
62. (20 February 2023). "Zen Freeman and Fred Falke's AMPERSOUNDS Tear Up The Night With Alessandra Ambrosio in 'Nightdrive'".
63. "A Deer In Headlights Harry Hudson".
64. (July 2022). "GuiltyBeatz releases new song 'Universe' featuring Mr Hudson, Twitch 4EVA".
65. "Indie pop creator Zachary Knowles gets intimate in new EP 'Goalie'".
66. (6 February 2023). "NEVE Reflects On 'Should've Been Us'".
67. "Renau - Blind Lyrics".
68. (14 May 2023). "Charlotte Cardin Shares New Impressive Single 'Looping'".
69. "US: Duran Duran release sixteenth studio album, Danse Macabre".
70. "Island 54 Stefflon Don". XANDRIE SA.
71. "SOFIA ISELLA Sex Concept".
72. "San Holo - without words".
73. "JP Cooper - Walking On A Blue Sky".
74. "JP Cooper - Talking To Strangers".
75. "SOFIA ISELLA Dog's Dinner".