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.
Straight No Chaser
Mr Hudson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We don't waste our time on fakeness.
One glass one shot is all it takes us.
Better this than fade away
So, our story goes this empty city
Crowded skies are clearing but I'm lonesome.
No! Bring on the night.
Fluorescent lamps are passing in slow motion,
Only I will wander
Only I can leave
So we set the scene, a sea of faces.
Laser eyes are watching as we close in.
Don't play innocent.
I know your thinking.
You're chasing conversation out of focus.
In Mr Hudson's song "Straight No Chaser," the lyrics express a straightforward, no-nonsense attitude towards life. The singer states that he and his friends do not waste their time pretending to be something they are not. They prefer to keep things simple and to the point. One drink is enough for them, as they recognize that too much of a good thing can lead to a bad outcome. They would rather live life to the fullest, than slowly fade away.
The next verse describes a scene of a desolate city and the feeling of loneliness with the skies clearing, yet nothing changing. The singer is setting up the picture where he is isolated in a world filled with people. He encourages the night to come as he has lots of work to do. The fluorescent lamps pass slowly and only he can leave his situation, as he is the only one capable of making his own change.
The final verse describes a social scene where the singer is surrounded by faces with laser eyes watching them. He knows people are not always truthful about what they want and sometimes people are more interested in the chase. The song overall is about authentic living, going against fake pretenses, and ultimately finding one's own path.
Line by Line Meaning
Straight, no chaser.
We're upfront and authentic.
We don't waste our time on fakeness.
We avoid people and things that are fake or insincere.
One glass one shot is all it takes us.
We don't need excessive drinking to have a good time.
Better this than fade away
We choose to live life to the fullest instead of letting it pass us by.
So, our story goes this empty city
The setting of our story is an empty city.
Crowded skies are clearing but I'm lonesome.
Even though the skies are clearing, I feel alone in the crowd.
No! Bring on the night.
We welcome the night and the activities that it brings.
There's work a plenty.
There's so much to do and experience.
Fluorescent lamps are passing in slow motion,
The surroundings seem surreal and dreamlike.
Only I will wander
I will be the one to explore and experience life.
Only I can leave
I have the power to make my own choices and move on.
So we set the scene, a sea of faces.
The scene is set with many people around.
Laser eyes are watching as we close in.
We feel the pressure of judgment from others.
Don't play innocent.
Don't pretend you're not interested.
I know your thinking.
I can tell what's really going through your mind.
You're chasing conversation out of focus.
You're not fully engaged in the conversation and are easily distracted.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BEN HUDSON MCILDOWIE, JAMES POYSER, JEYMES SAMUEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@betress1
i listened to this song over 50 times and its still good :D
@TheReubstar
I saw this guy perform. Some bonehead chucked a glass at him but he handled it like a true professional and the show went on. I respect him a great deal - great songs, great guy. His (and Jay-Z's) forever young brings a tear to my eye.
@missrobynlouise
Amazing underrated artist.. I've met Mr Hudson a few times too, what a hottie!
@juneels1
RobynSaintVeronika yes I love them live!
@jstanzy
this song is absolutely amazing. i love it
@TheJack0121
His brininging out a new album this year! if people press thumbs up button then MAYBE people may give him the second chance to shine!
@kadelac
that song is gonna be massive!
@lemonadebraids
ughhh i loveee this song its so addicting i couldn't get it out of my head all day. (:
@XemnasTheHedgehog
y is this guy so awesome hes totally to kool
@TotalyTubular3000
True legends never die Word up Mr. Hudson fa lifeeeee