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.
Playing With Fire
Mr Hudson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Na-na, na-ayy-ayy
I don't slip or trip when she asks me where I've been (where you've been)
One big smile on my face, zip it darling, it's just you and me (you and me)
Now I'm on some Alfie behavior, I'll call you back later
Too many fish in the sea for me
But when the lights come on, and what's her name is gone
I tried to believe every word of your sweet story
But intuition keeps telling me
You're making a fool outta me
'Cause I'm such a good liar
Just admit it (I never did it)
Yes you did it (no I didn't)
Ayy
I'm playing with fire
Just admit it (I never did it)
I know you did it (no I didn't)
Yes you did
'Cause I'm such a good liar (woah)
I can't help myself, I keep playing with fire (woah)
Thoughts running right through the night as I watch you sleep
(She's gettin' closer)
I can't help but check his text, while he's passed out next to me
(It's only a matter of time)
I'm on some CSI behavior, who's gonna save ya
You'll be the fool when the truth comes out
So when those lights come on, and what's her face is gone
We're straight back to the same routine
I tried to believe every word of your sweet story
But intuition keeps telling me
You're making a fool outta me
'Cause I'm such a good liar
Just admit it (I never did it)
Yes you did it (no I didn't)
Ayy
I'm playing with fire
Just admit it (I never did it)
I know you did it (no I didn't)
Yes you did
'Cause I'm such a good liar (woah)
I can't help myself, I keep playing with fire (woah)
Living life in disguise, can't keep up with these lies
You do anything to try and catch me out, but I never leave no signs
In my heart we was meant to be
But guys like me be like two or three
I can't help myself I love girls, I can't kick out playing with fire
I can't kick out playing with fire
Playing with fire
Playing with fire
She ain't goin' nowhere
Know why?
'Cause I'm such a good liar
Just admit it (I never did it)
Yes you did it (no I didn't)
Ayy
I'm playing with fire
Just admit it (I never did it)
I know you did it (no I didn't)
Yes you did
'Cause I'm such a good liar
Just admit it (I never did it)
Yes you did it (no I didn't)
Ooh
I'm playing with fire
Just admit it (I never did it)
I know you did it (no I didn't)
Yes you did
'Cause I'm such a good liar (woah)
I can't help myself, I keep playing with fire (woah)
I'm such a good liar
Na-na, na-na, na, na
Ooh woah, yeah
Na-na, na-ayy-ayy
Liar
Mr Hudson's song "Playing With Fire" is a song about a toxic relationship filled with deception, suspicion, and betrayal. The song follows a couple where both parties are cheating behind each other's back but are convinced that they are good at lying and getting away with it. The first verse is from the perspective of a male partner who lies to his significant other about his whereabouts and is fully aware that he is not loyal to her. However, when he sees her and is alone with her, he pretends and puts up a facade, bringing a smile to his face. He is aware that he has a lot of other options and he is just playing with fire, but when everything else fades away, he knows that he is meant to be with her. The second verse is from the female partner's perspective, and she goes through her boyfriend's messages to check if he is cheating on her. She puts up with his behavior and warns him that it's only a matter of time before he gets caught.
The chorus is the most notable part of the song, where both partners lay out their views on the relationship. Despite both of them lying to each other, they still believe they are better at it than the other. They are both complacent in their deceit and know that they are both playing with fire. They each try to blame the other for the tension in their relationship but ultimately know that they are responsible for their actions. The song then ends with the male partner declaring that he is such a good liar, with a heavy emphasis on the word 'liar,' showing the inevitability and circularity of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't slip or trip when she asks me where I've been (where you've been)
I am always composed when my partner asks me about my whereabouts
One big smile on my face, zip it darling, it's just you and me (you and me)
I appear happy and content but keep quiet about my infidelity with my partner
Now I'm on some Alfie behavior, I'll call you back later
I am engaging in Alfie-like behavior, finding pleasure in multiple partners and will call my current partner back later
Too many fish in the sea for me
I have too many options for partners, I am not interested in committing to just one
But when the lights come on, and what's her name is gone, I realize where I'm supposed to be
When I am alone, I realize I am meant to be with my partner
I tried to believe every word of your sweet story
I tried to trust my partner's story but I am unsure of its accuracy
But intuition keeps telling me, you're making a fool outta me
My intuition tells me that my partner is lying and taking advantage of me
'Cause I'm such a good liar, just admit it (I never did it), yes you did it (no I didn't)
I am a skilled liar and my partner denies my accusations
I'm playing with fire, I can't help myself, I keep playing with fire
I am engaging in risky behavior and cannot stop myself
Thoughts running right through the night as I watch you sleep (She's gettin' closer)
As I watch my partner sleep, I am conflicted with thoughts.
I'm on some CSI behavior, who's gonna save ya, you'll be the fool when the truth comes out
I am scrutinizing my partner's every move and who will be left embarrassed when the truth is revealed
We're straight back to the same routine
My partner and I will return to our regular behavior until the next incident
Living life in disguise, can't keep up with these lies
I cannot continue living a dishonest life; it is becoming challenging
You do anything to try and catch me out, but I never leave no signs
My partner tries to catch me but cannot find evidence of my infidelity
But guys like me be like two or three, I can't help myself I love girls, I can't kick out playing with fire
Some people like me have multiple partners, I cannot resist my attraction to women and playing with fire
She ain't goin' nowhere, know why?
My partner will not leave me because I am a skilled liar and keep her in the dark about my actions.
Liar
A reminder of the theme of dishonesty and infidelity present throughout the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tula Contostavlos, Dino Contostavlos, Richard Rawson, Ben Hudson Mcildowie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MineTheCoD
Mr Hudson looks like Fred from the live action Scooby Doo movie.
@BennyFromTheTops
💀💀💀😂😭
@hannahsaid5404
OMFG I WAS THINKING THAT EXACT THING
@madztek8652
loool sane here xD
@VileKayn-yt2po
+You won't like me Nice Profile Pic XD
@icandyxx9621
Init
@ekajblud5119
When we all though we were hard nuts in year 6 with our blackberrys
@blurreaper1238
+Jake Farrer lol if you had a blackberry you were the boss
@SaintHC39
+Jake Farrer FUCKING TRUTH DUDE!!!!!1
@user-gg3rf9fs7t
+Angela chamberlain 9