Mr Hudson

Benjamin Hudson McIldowie (born 26 June 1979), better known by his stage name Mr Hudson, is an English singer, songwriter, and record producer from Birmingham, England.

He performed as the lead singer of the band Mr Hudson and the Library in 2006, and signed with American rapper Kanye West's record label GOOD Music through a joint venture with Mercury Records two years later.

The first result, an EP entitled Bread & Roses, came out via Deal Real in October 2006.

Mr. Hudson was first featured on Later with Jools Holland on 8 December 2006.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

He rose to prominence as a guest vocalist on West's 2009 single "Paranoid" from his album 808s & Heartbreak (2008).

Furthermore, he co-wrote the songs "Say You Will" and "Street Lights" also from the album.

That same year, Hudson guest performed on Jay-Z's 2009 single "Young Forever," which peaked within the top ten of both the US Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart.

His debut studio album, Straight No Chaser (2009) entered the UK Albums Chart at number 25; its single, "Supernova" (featuring Kanye West) peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart.

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".

During the 2010s, he produced, co-wrote, and guest performed for artists including Future, DJ Snake, Vic Mensa and JP Cooper, among others.

Hudson then began writing and producing for other acts including Paloma Faith, Alex Clare, Wretch 32, and worked extensively with Duran Duran on their 2014 album Paper Gods.

He won a Grammy Award for his work on John Legend's 2020 album Bigger Love.

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.

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 Jon 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.

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).