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.
Step Into the Shadows
Mr Hudson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come out of the light
She offered me her cigarette
I said nah babe you're alright
She said step into my shadow
I don't bark but I bite
She said she's feeling thirsty
She needs something tonight
I now can't take my eyes of, her lips blood red
Redder than red
Eyes like moons
Carry me away from here
What could I do?
She said let's find a cozy dive bar
Or we can do this in the street
She'll have a bloody Mary
I need something to eat
So step into the shadows
Come of the light
She offered me my future self
I offered her a light
I stepped into the shadow
Yeah I wish we never met
I wish I never saw you standing there yeah
Your silhouette turned a switch in my head
A trick in my bed
You drew blood now it's hard for me to leave
Now it's impossible to leave you
Death of a salesman, death of salesman
Oh yeah you killed a man
Yeah, a man on that run
When you tempt me with the passionate, oh,
With the passionate, wish we never met
Now I'm never gonna leave, this is who I wanna be
This is who I wanna be
Caught me on another side
That darker side, that newer side, that suicidewq
The song "Step Into the Shadows" by Mr Hudson describes a tumultuous relationship between the singer and a woman who lives her life in the shadows. She draws him in with her mystique and allure, but he comes to realize that she is toxic and dangerous. She tempts him with her darkness and offers him the chance to step outside of his comfort zone, but he ultimately regrets ever meeting her. The lyrics of the song depict a twisted romance that is both thrilling and destructive, alluding to the idea that the choices we make can often lead us down dangerous paths.
The song uses imagery and metaphor to convey the singer's feelings. The woman is described as having lips that are "blood red, redder than red" and eyes that are "like moons". These descriptions create a sense of danger and intrigue, suggesting that the woman is not to be trusted. The chorus urges the singer to "step into the shadows" and leave the safety of the light behind. The shadows represent the unknown and the dangerous - a place where anything can happen.
The song is ultimately a cautionary tale about the seductive power of danger. The woman in the song represents a force that is alluring but ultimately toxic. The lyrics suggest that sometimes it is better to stay in the light rather than venture into the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
She said step into the shadow
She invited him to come with her into the darkness or to explore the shadowy side of life.
Come out of the light
She wanted him to quit living a life that was too pure, too visible, or too boring.
She offered me her cigarette
She tried to make him feel comfortable, and hoped he could join her in her habit.
I said nah babe you're alright
He kindly refused her offer, but he still thought she was alright, or cool.
She said step into my shadow
She insisted for him to immerse himself into her lifestyle, into what she loves.
I don't bark but I bite
She wants him to know that she may seem calm, but she can be fierce when provoked.
She said she's feeling thirsty
She told him that she needs or wants something badly, maybe for fulfillment or satisfaction.
She needs something tonight
She expressed that her craving or yearning cannot wait, she wants it as soon as possible.
So step into the shadow
She urged him again to step into the darkness or to take the risk of living unconventionally.
I now can't take my eyes off, her lips blood red
He is fixated or captivated by her look, particularly her bright red lips.
Redder than red
He emphasized how vibrant and striking her lips are, more than any other color.
Eyes like moons
He described her eyes as large, round, and glowing, like how the moon looks.
Carry me away from here
He wished to be removed or taken away from his current situation or place, escaping with her.
What could I do?
He rhetorically asked and admitted that he was powerless or helpless to the situation.
She said let's find a cozy dive bar
She suggested to go to a place where they could have a good time, probably a seedy pub or a hidden spot.
Or we can do this in the street
She offered another option to have fun in less private or more public locations.
She'll have a bloody Mary
She announced what she wants to drink, a spicy alcoholic cocktail with tomato juice named after Mary I of England.
I need something to eat
He expressed his need or desire to satiate his hunger, maybe for food or anything else.
So step into the shadows
He repeated her phrase to urge her to come to the darker side, the side which she wants him to follow.
She offered me my future self
She probably offered him to see what he could become if he stayed and followed her path or plan for him.
I offered her a light
He offered her a cigarette lighter, as a response to her offer of seeing his future self.
I stepped into the shadow
He made the decision to embrace her way of living, or follow her lead into the lesser-known parts of life.
Yeah I wish we never met
He wishes that he never crossed paths with her, as his life was simpler or more contented before.
I wish I never saw you standing there yeah
He wished that he was never tempted by her presence, as he knows it would change his life forever.
Your silhouette turned a switch in my head
He realized that her figure or form sparked something in his brain, which makes him want to know more about her.
A trick in my bed
He felt like she played a game or trick with him, as she made him attracted to her so easily.
You drew blood now it's hard for me to leave
He felt like she wounded him, as he felt attached or addicted to her, which makes it difficult for him to part ways.
Now it's impossible to leave you
He realized that it is too late for him to leave her, as he has already done things with her and has grown emotions for her.
Death of a salesman, death of salesman
He referenced Arthur Miller's play, 'Death of a Salesman,' which talks about a tragic figure in the wrong career. He felt like he is the same as the character, whose life is full of disappointment and unfulfillment.
Oh yeah you killed a man
He lets her know that he felt like she was responsible for his decline or downfall, as it was all caused by her.
Yeah, a man on that run
He saw himself as a man running away from something or looking for something, and he wants to find it with her.
When you tempt me with the passionate, oh,
He knows that she is all about passion, which is why he cannot resist her, as she offers him something new and exciting.
With the passionate, wish we never met
He admits again that his attraction to her is, unfortunately, what he regrets the most, as it has caused him pain.
Now I'm never gonna leave, this is who I wanna be
He realized that he wants to stay with her forever, as he feels like he found what he is looking for, and has become a new person because of her.
Caught me on another side
He realized that he is not the same person as he was before, as she showed him another aspect of himself that he never thought existed.
That darker side, that newer side, that suicide
He describes this new side of himself that she brought out, which is darker and more dangerous, but also newer and more exciting. It could potentially lead to his metaphorical suicide or downfall, but he is willing to take that risk with her.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: BENJAMIN HUDSON MCILDOWIE, IDRIS ELBA, RYUICHI SAKAMOTO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
alohakeoni
This is absolutely haunting; the beat, the lyrics, and especially the vocals. Wouldn't expect anything less from such a brilliant music artist. Bravo, Keoni
Jing Ren
I love the original song by Ryuichi Sakamoto and sometimes played it on piano. MH's interpretation is beautiful like entering into a world of fantasies. Now I want to write my own lyrics to this tune
The Virgin Eugenides
@Asha Chuhan This is sampled from the last song that plays in the 'Babel' (2006) movie
lê nghĩa
mate do you still have this tune? i would like to follow thy step too
Asha Chuhan
Jing Ren original song? This isn't a cover !
Lady J
Idris Elba is amazing...
I love this song
AP
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ HAVEN'T HEARD THIS MASTERPIECE IN SO LONG ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Shak
Astounding music!
Liam
I love this.. A really mature but fresh sound.. sexy as.. It's probably just me but can't help debating the absence of a third verse.. overlapping Idris' emotional 'suicide' line and coming straight back in with Ben's voice, stepping back into the shadow... Anyway.. It's a album track for me.. something that will be sandwiched in the middle creating a tonne of mood and nostalgia and dark emotion. (the girl, I assume it's the same girl that features throughout all three albums, she got him good and proper didn't she?...) Or possibly the last song on the album. It makes more sense to me in that context when compared against Move and Fred Astaire... Don't get me wrong, I love this, utterly love this song and the new feel.. Just had to get that off my chest that's all.
miloo2009
His music was a head of its time.