He has listed various influences, most notably Chet Baker, David Bowie, The Police, Andre 3000, Marvin Gaye, The Specials, Billie Holiday, Rosster, Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzee Rascal. When he was with The Library they were known for their energetic live performances which include steelpan and a piano. They were nominated for "Best Newcomer" at the 2007 UK Festival Awards.
Mr. Hudson has worked with acts such as Kanye West, Dizzee Rascal, N-Dubz, Kid Cudi, Tinie Tempah and Jay-Z and toured with Calvin Harris. His vocal performances have been compared to those of Sting.[3] He is accompanied by Joy Joseph (vocals and steel drum), Rob Barron (electric keyboard), Raphael Mann (bass guitar) and Andrew "Wilkie" Wilkinson (electric drums).
One of his first appearances was on JUMPOFF producer battles in 2005. Mr Hudson first came to prominence after featuring on Later with Jools Holland on 8 December 2006. The band's debut LP titled A Tale of Two Cities, was released in 2007 to strong reviews and received national airplay on Jo Whiley and Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 shows.
In 2007, Mr Hudson and his band The Library embarked on a tour through 12 British libraries as part of the 'Get It Loud' initiative, and also supported Amy Winehouse on her tour, along with Paulo Nutini, Mika and Groove Armada.[5]
During the summer of 2007 they appeared at several UK festivals, such as 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 and other European cities.
On 11 November 2008, "There Will Be Tears" was given its first UK radio airplay on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show as 'The Hottest Record in the World Right Now'. Mr Hudson's new album – given a working title of Straight No Chaser[6] is set for release in mid-2009 with Kanye West acting as co-producer. As announced in December 2008, Mr Hudson will tour the UK to preview material from his forthcoming album visiting cities such as London, Cardiff, Glasgow and Newcastle.
Mr Hudson featured on Paranoid on Kanye West's fourth album, 808s & Heartbreak. He also co-produced "Street Lights" as well as supplied 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" In the autumn of 2009 Mr Hudson will support Calvin Harris on his UK tour.
A Tale of Two Cities (2007–2009)
The production ... on the band's debut album uses acoustic guitar interspersed with classically informed piano, soulful, Motown-inspired backing vocals and bass guitar, steelpan, electric drums and unusual rhythm patterns to create an expansive sound. Two of the tracks from A Tale of Two Cities are covers; "On The Street Where You Live", ..................mr hudson rules.................is a cover of a number from the musical My Fair Lady[9] and "Everything Happens to Me" is a well known Great American Songbook classic as popularised by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Chet Baker. The album was greeted with warm reviews from the music press.
[edit]Straight No Chaser (2009 – present)
According to Amazon.com, on 1 December 2009, Mr Hudson is set to release a new album, Straight No Chaser (via G.O.O.D. 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.
Instant Messenger
Mr Hudson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause I left our love in the desert
To fend for itself. (I thought it better that way)
Did you get my text?
Did I get my thoughts through?
It's hard to see things clearly
Through the gossip and the gloom.
I'm gonna blind our love with the paparazzi flash.
Did you get my text?
Did I make myself clear?
It's getting hard to see this through the gossip and the beer.
They say "Boy you've changed."
Well I say "You've changed too."
Follow me up the alps,
I've got things to do
"Scatter the ashes here"
Didn't you get my text?
Didn't that get through?
It's hard to make myself clear thought the gossip and the beer.
Will you follow me to London where I know the streets?
I don't need reinforcements 'cause you won't know where I live.
Didn't you get my message? Did the text not get through?
It's getting hard to see these days through the gossip and
The gloom, the beery gloom.
The song "Instant Messenger" by Mr Hudson is a complex piece of art that speaks about love, communication, and how they can be affected by external factors. The lyrics of the song start with the lines "So you found our love in the warm Pacific spray, 'Cause I left our love in the desert To fend for itself. (I thought it better that way)", indicating the distance between the two lovers and how it has led to their relationship being neglected. The rest of the lyrics, including "It's hard to see things clearly Through the gossip and the gloom", "I'm gonna blind our love with the paparazzi flash. I'm gonna squash our love like an economic crash" and "It's getting hard to see this through the gossip and the beer", highlight the impact that external factors, such as media and peer pressure, have on their relationship and that it's becoming hard to decipher what's real from what's just rumors.
The song also touches on the struggles of communication in relationships, with the lines "Did you get my text? Did I get my thoughts through?" and "Didn't you get my message? Did the text not get through?" showing that even though they might text each other, their relationship isn't improving. The chorus of the song, "They say 'Boy you've changed.' Well I say 'You've changed too.' Follow me up the alps, I've got things to do", indicates that the relationship is broken and the singer is ready to move forward without his partner.
Overall, "Instant Messenger" is a story of two lovers who have trouble communicating in a world where external factors continuously impact their relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
So you found our love in the warm Pacific spray,
You discovered our love while experiencing the beauty of the ocean, while I left it behind in a harsh and dry environment to be on its own.
'Cause I left our love in the desert
I abandoned our love in a barren setting.
To fend for itself. (I thought it better that way)
I thought it would be best to leave our love on its own without my constant interference.
Did you get my text?
Did you receive the message I sent you through technology?
Did I get my thoughts through?
Was I able to express my thoughts and feelings clearly through my message?
It's hard to see things clearly
It is difficult to have a clear understanding of things.
Through the gossip and the gloom.
The surrounding rumors and negativity make it challenging to perceive the situation clearly.
I'm gonna blind our love with the paparazzi flash.
I will attract unnecessary attention and attention-seeking elements that will overtake our love story.
I'm gonna squash our love like an economic crash.
I will destroy our love like the negative impact of an economic downturn.
Did I make myself clear?
Was I able to communicate effectively enough to make my message understandable?
It's getting hard to see this through the gossip and the beer.
It is increasingly hard to navigate this situation because of the rumors and alcohol that accompany it.
They say "Boy you've changed."
People have told me that I am different now.
Well I say "You've changed too."
To that, I respond that you have also undergone changes.
Follow me up the alps, I've got things to do
Accompany me on this journey towards greater aspirations and goals.
"Scatter the ashes here"
Lets lay to rest and commemorate what has been, here and now.
Didn't you get my text? Didn't that get through?
Did you not receive my message, and if you did, were you able to understand it?
Will you follow me to London where I know the streets?
Would you come with me to London, a city that I am familiar with?
I don't need reinforcements 'cause you won't know where I live.
There's no need for help or assistance as you do not know where I reside.
It's getting hard to see these days through the gossip and the gloom, the beery gloom.
Due to the rumors, negativity, and intoxicated environment, it is becoming harder to perceive things distinctly.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BEN HUDSON MCILDOWIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Art Of Entertainment
I woke up
Alone
Without u
Without u
Is alone
I know I'm not a friend
I'm not a lover
I'm not a phone
I'm not you
U dont need me anymore
U dont need me anymore
U dont need me anymore
U dont need me anymore
U dont need me anymore
U dont need me anymore
U don't need me anymore
U never needed me
U never needed me
U never needed me
U never needed me
U never needed me
U never needed me
U never needed me
U never needed me
U never needed me
U never needed me
Luan Oliveira
This song is not for humans, I felt hypnotize for the whole time, when it ended I felt empty, like I could watch him singing this for the rest of my life, I guess I'm in love.
alohakeoni
Luan Oliveira Me, too!
Tengericsillag
This song helped me when I was diagnosed with severe depression and was left alone. ❤️
Angela
dang! he's so underrated! he deserves more recognition w his art
mogfrex
Mr Hudson, u r an absolute musical genius, keep it up mate!! :D
Chante Moody
I love his voice. :)
iwillnever4getu
one of the best songs ever
Anice Ossoulian
I abselutely LOVE his new album, well and all his other ones
Karabo Mafa
Mr Hudson is a musical genius!
Kuoldluffy
Mr Hudson I really like your music and i really think you did great with your nw album, you're just the best!