Mr Hudson

Mr Hudson

Mr Hudson performing at Lovebox Weekender in London, 2009
Background information
Birth name Benjamin Hudson McIldowie
Born (1979-06-26) 26 June 1979
Origin Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instruments Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active 2006–present
Labels
Associated acts
Website mrhudson.com

Benjamin Hudson McIldowie (born 26 June 1979), better known by his stage name Mr Hudson, is a British musician from Birmingham, England. First rising to prominence in 2006, with Mr Hudson and the Library, Hudson later embarked on a solo career in 2008, when he signed a record deal with American musician Kanye West's GOOD Music label. He was subsequently featured as a prominent composer on West’s 808s & Heartbreak (2008). Hudson later appeared on American rapper Jay-Z’s Top 10 single "Young Forever", from The Blueprint 3 (2009). He would find more solo success on his 2009 album, Straight No Chaser, which spawned the hit single "Supernova".[1]

Establishing his own studio in 2010 Hudson began writing and producing for other acts including Paloma Faith,[2] Alex Clare,[3] Pixie Lott,[4] Josh Kumra and Wretch 32. He then spent most of 2014 in the studio with Duran Duran, co-writing and producing their latest album and featuring on the title track for Paper Gods.[5]

Life and career

1979–2006: Early life and career beginnings

Born in Birmingham, Hudson grew up in the Handsworth area of the city (Dudley Road) and attended King Edward's School, Birmingham in Edgbaston. He attended Oxford University, where he read English Literature at St Anne's College, Oxford.[6] Studying a BEd at The University of St Mark and St John (Plymouth), he embarked on a brief teaching career in 2002, which is where the moniker 'Mr Hudson' is derived from.

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 John 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

Performing with Mr Hudson and The Library in 2007

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.[7] 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.[8] Mr Hudson was first featured on Later with Jools Holland on 8 December 2006.[9]

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.[10] 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.

2009–11: Solo career and 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".[11] 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".[12]

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.[13] Mr Hudson was featured on Jay-Z and Kanye West's album Watch the Throne (2011), appearing on "Why I Love You".

2012: BIGkids

In 2012, Hudson began writing and producing tracks for Josh Kumra,[14] He also worked on "Hand of Cards" for The Voice runner-up Tyler James, on his 2012 album A Place I Go.[15] Hudson was later featured on the UK Top 10 single "Charge", by Sway.[16] 2012 also saw Mr Hudson release an album with Rosie Oddie, under the name BIGkids. The first single "Heart Sing", from their collaborative effort, titled Never Grow Up, was released on 12 August 2012. The album itself was released 7 October 2012.

2013–present: Recent work

In March 2013, Mr Hudson debuted the new single "Fred Astaire" via Soundcloud.[17] "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,[18] in December 2013 and "Step Into The Shadows" featuring Idris Elba in May 2014.[19]

He is now finishing work on his second solo album with the working title of Autumn In August.[20] He said: "It feels like a comeback with a small ‘c’. I don’t feel like I’ve ever been away, but obviously if you’re not out there, with that A-list single on Radio 1, then maybe for the vast majority of people you are — for all intents and purposes — dead. I mean, the Twitter comments you get, ‘Are you dead?’ And you think, well if I am who are you tweeting? But it’s great to be putting music out. It’s great to have another record out and to be gearing up for the album."[21]

In November, Epic Records recording artist Future released the track "Real and True" featuring Miley Cyrus & Mr Hudson in the USA.[22] 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 & produced.[23] 2014 saw the release of Idris Elba's Idris Elba presents Mi Mandela on which Hudson features and co-produced.[24] The same year Hudson collaborated with Paloma Faith on the track "Take Me" on her third studio album A Perfect Contradiction.[25]

Hudson spent most of 2014 writing and producing Paper Gods by Duran Duran, released 11 September 2015.[26] 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."[27] In October 2015, Hudson released a single titled, "Dancing Thru It", followed by the critically acclaimed "Hey You".[28]

5 August 2016 saw the release of Mr Hudson's collaboration with DJ Snake, titled "Here Comes The Night" from Snake's debut album Encore.[29]

Discography

Main article: Mr Hudson discography

Awards and nominations

References

  1. ↑ O'Brien, Jon (2009-08-04). "Straight No Chaser - Mr. Hudson | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  2. ↑ Ingrham, Tim. "Paloma Faith confirms new album, out March 10". Music Week. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  3. ↑ Panteli, Portia. "ALEX CLARE INTERVIEW". Drafted Magazine. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  4. ↑ "Pixie Lott – Young Foolish Happy". Discogs. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  5. ↑ Platon, Adelle. "Duran Duran Breaks Down Mr. Hudson, Nile Rodgers & Lindsay Lohan Collabos in Behind-The-Scenes Look at 'Paper Gods'". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  6. ↑ Thrills, Adrian (23 July 2009). "Play that funky music, white boy: Mr Hudson aiming for the top spot". Daily Mail. London.
  7. ↑ "Mr Hudson & The Library – The Bread + Roses EP". Discogs.
  8. ↑ Sullivan, Caroline. "Mr Hudson and the Library, A Tale of Two Cities". Guardian. The Guardian. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  9. ↑ "Later...With Jools Holland Episode 6 Later... with Jools Holland, Series 28 Episode 6". BBC. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  10. ↑ "Get It Loud In Libraries". Never Enough Press. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  11. ↑ Reid, Rasheem (24 November 2008). "Kanye West says Mr Hudson 'Could be bigger than me'". MTV (media). Retrieved 24 November 2008.
  12. ↑ Published Monday, 12 Oct 2009, 06:24 BST (12 October 2009). "Mr Hudson – Music Interview". Digital Spy. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  13. ↑ Lowe, Zane. "Zane Lowe's Hottest Records blog: Caspa ft. Mr Hudson – Love Never Dies (Back For The First Time)". BBC. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  14. ↑ Copsey, Robert. "Josh Kumra debuts 'Helicopters & Planes' music video". Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  15. ↑ "A Place I Go - Tyler James | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. 2012-10-22. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  16. ↑ Copsey, Robert. "Sway, Mr Hudson unveil 'Charge' music video". Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  17. ↑ Huynh, Davis (2013-07-10). "Mr. Hudson – Fred Astaire". Hypetrak. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  18. ↑ "BEHIND THE SCENES: MR HUDSON – MOVE". Hunger TV. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  19. ↑ "Mr Hudson feat. Idris Elba – Step Into The Shadows [Lyric Video] – SB.TV – The UK's leading online youth broadcaster". Sbtv.co.uk. 2014-05-08. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  20. ↑ McCain, Natalie. "MR HUDSON BIOGRAPHY". Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  21. ↑ Foster, Alistair (2013-08-06). "Mr Hudson's back ... and he'd like to work with the Queen - Celebrity News - Showbiz - London Evening Standard". Standard.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  22. ↑ "Future Premieres 'Real And True' Video Ft. Miley Cyrus". MTV Networks. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  23. ↑ Cogan, Judy (14 November 2013). "Freedom to revamp: Rebecca Ferguson performs new single on Paul O'Grady Show in high fashion sci-fi print dress". London: Associated Newspapers Ltd (Daily Mail). Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  24. ↑ Gill, Andy. "Idris Elba Presents mi Mandela, album review: A marvellous alliance of ancient and modern styles". Independent. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  25. ↑ "Paloma Faith Unites With Pharrell & John Legend On Third Album". forth1. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  26. ↑ Badra, Cat. "DURAN DURAN'S NEW ALBUM IS "EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED FROM A DURAN ALBUM"". Duran Duran. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  27. ↑ Flanagan, Emma. "Simon Le Bon on Duran Duran tour and working with Mark Ronson on new album". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  28. ↑ ROSSIGNOL, DERRICK. "PREMIERE: MR. HUDSON – "DANCING THRU IT"". Pigeons And Planes. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  29. ↑ Toro, DJ. "DJ Snake Humbled by Instant Success of Star-Studded 'Encore'". 923 Amp. CBS Local Media. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
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