Mr Hudson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mr Hudson
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Mr Hudson performing at Lovebox Weekender in London, 2009
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Benjamin Hudson McIldowie |
| Born | 26 June 1979 |
| Origin | Birmingham, England |
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| Years active | 2006–present |
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Benjamin Hudson McIldowie (born on June 26, 1979), known as Mr Hudson, is an English singer, songwriter, and music producer. He is from Birmingham, England. In 2006, he started the band Mr Hudson and the Library, where he was the lead singer.
Two years later, he signed with American rapper Kanye West's record label, GOOD Music. Mr Hudson is famous for singing on Kanye West's 2009 song "Paranoid". He also helped write other songs on West's 2008 album, 808s & Heartbreak.
In 2010, Mr Hudson sang on Jay-Z's song "Young Forever". This song became very popular, reaching the top ten in both the US and UK music charts. His first solo album, Straight No Chaser (2009), reached number 25 in the UK. The song "Supernova" from this album, featuring Kanye West, reached number two in the UK. Mr Hudson also appeared on Jay-Z and Kanye West's 2011 album Watch The Throne.
Later, Mr Hudson began writing and producing music for other artists. These include Paloma Faith and Duran Duran. He also worked with JP Cooper on songs like "September Song". Other artists he has worked with include Future, Miley Cyrus, Vic Mensa, and DJ Snake. In 2021, he won a Grammy Award for his work on John Legend's 2020 album Bigger Love.
Life and Music Journey
Early Life and Starting Out (1979–2006)
Benjamin Hudson McIldowie was born in Birmingham, England. He grew up in the Handsworth area of the city.
Before forming 'Mr Hudson and the Library', he was part of other bands. These included 'Mansize', 'The Hudson Sound', and 'Phoenix Green'. His brother, Jon McIldowie, was also in 'The Hudson Sound' and 'Phoenix Green'. These early bands had some success in Birmingham.
The Library and First Album (2006–2008)
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Mr Hudson started his music career by forming the band Mr Hudson and the Library. The band included Maps Huxley (bass), Wilkie Wilkinson (drums), Joy Joseph (steel drums, vocals), and Torville Jones (piano). Their first music, an EP called Bread & Roses, came out in October 2006.
In early 2007, the group toured with Amy Winehouse. This was to support their first album, A Tale of Two Cities. Mr Hudson first appeared on the TV show Later with Jools Holland in December 2006.
The band's first album used acoustic guitar, piano, and backing vocals. It also featured bass guitar, steelpan, and electric drums. Some songs on the album were covers, like "On the Street Where You Live" from the musical My Fair Lady.
In 2007, Mr Hudson and the Library toured many British libraries. They also supported other artists like Paolo Nutini and Mika. They played at several UK music festivals, including Glastonbury and V Festival. In October 2007, they supported The Police at a concert in Cardiff. They also opened for Kanye West on his Glow in the Dark Tour in Europe.
In 2008, Mr Hudson started recording music as a solo artist. Even though the name 'The Library' was no longer used, these musicians still played as his backing band for live shows.
Solo Career and Straight No Chaser (2009–2012)
Mr Hudson began working on his album Straight No Chaser. Then, Kanye West offered to produce it. Mr Hudson appeared on Kanye West's album 808s & Heartbreak on the song "Paranoid". He also helped produce "Street Lights" and sang on other songs. Kanye West said he believed Mr Hudson could become "one of the most important artists of his generation".
The song "Supernova" was first played on BBC Radio 1 in May 2009. It was released in July 2009 and quickly reached number 2 on the UK singles chart.
Mr Hudson's album Straight No Chaser was released in August 2009. Kanye West was the executive producer. Mr Hudson explained that he wanted to make a pop record that was direct and easy to understand. He wanted it to be a "mainstream record" but not one that would be forgotten quickly.
In 2009, Mr Hudson also sang on "Playing with Fire" by N-Dubz. Later that year, he supported Calvin Harris on his UK tour. He also had his own headline tour for Straight No Chaser. Before 2009 ended, Mr Hudson was featured on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint 3. He sang on the track "Young Forever", which was a new version of an old song by Alphaville.
In May 2010, Mr Hudson had a sold-out tour in the UK. He also supported Jay-Z at arena shows and played at festivals. In 2010, Mr Hudson worked with British dubstep artist Caspa on the song "Love Never Dies (Back for the First Time)". In 2011, he was featured on Jay-Z and Kanye West's album Watch the Throne on the song "Why I Love You". In 2012, he was featured on the UK Top 10 song "Charge" by Sway.
Writing and Producing for Others (2013–2017)
In March 2013, Mr Hudson released a new song called "Fred Astaire". The music video for it was directed by famous photographer Rankin. He released more songs from his album, including "Move" and "Step into The Shadows" featuring Idris Elba.
In November 2013, the artist Future released "Real and True". This song featured Miley Cyrus and Mr Hudson. Mr Hudson helped write it. In December 2013, he co-wrote and produced "Beautiful Design" for Rebecca Ferguson's album Freedom. In 2014, he worked with Idris Elba on his album Idris Elba presents Mi Mandela. He also collaborated with Paloma Faith on her album A Perfect Contradiction.
Mr Hudson spent most of 2014 writing and producing Paper Gods for Duran Duran. This album was released in September 2015. The lead singer of Duran Duran, Simon le Bon, said that Mr Hudson helped bring the album together. In October 2015, Mr Hudson released his own songs, "Dancing Thru It" and "Hey You".
In August 2016, Mr Hudson co-wrote and featured on DJ Snake's song "Here Comes The Night". In September 2016, his co-written song "September Song" for JP Cooper was released.
In January 2017, Mr Hudson performed at a concert celebrating David Bowie. He sang "Starman" with Bowie's band members. He continued to tour with this group in 2018.
In 2017, Mr Hudson also worked with Vic Mensa on "Almost There" and with JP Cooper on "She's on My Mind". He released two of his own songs, "Can't Forget You" and "Coldplay" featuring Vic Mensa.
New Album and Collaborations (2018–2019)
In 2018, Mr Hudson co-wrote "Zombie Love" with Alexander DeLeon. He also worked with Janelle Monáe on "Screwed" from her album Dirty Computer. Mr Hudson sang on the final song of Kanye West and Kid Cudi's album "Kids See Ghosts". He also co-wrote "I See Love" for the Hotel Transylvania 3 movie soundtrack.
In December 2018, Mr Hudson co-wrote and featured on "Deserve It" from Vic Mensa's Hooligans EP. He also co-wrote "Cheerleader" with JP Cooper.
In April 2019, Mr Hudson released "Antidote", his first new original song in 10 years. He also released "Chicago" featuring Vic Mensa. Both songs were on his album When the Machine Stops, released in June 2019.
When the Machine Stops also featured other artists like Schae and Taylor Bennett. Mr Hudson said his inspirations for the album came from movies like Blade Runner and TV shows like Black Mirror. He also listened to older music from artists like Chet Baker.
In May 2019, Mr Hudson co-wrote and featured on "I Miss You" from Taylor Bennett's album. He also co-wrote "Make My Dreams Come True" with Lontalius. His co-written song "Rise" was featured on the Godfather of Harlem soundtrack.
Recent Work (2020–Present)
In February 2020, JP Cooper's "Bits & Pieces" was released, which Mr Hudson co-wrote and produced. In June 2020, Mr Hudson's writing and production work was on John Legend's album Bigger Love for the song "Never Break". In March 2021, his work on "Never Break" helped John Legend win a Grammy Award for Best R&B album.
In April 2021, Charlotte Cardin released "Je Quitte", which Mr Hudson co-wrote and produced. This song won multiple Juno awards and became very popular in Canada. In June 2021, San Holo's album BB U OK? included a song that sampled Mr Hudson's "Closing Time".
In 2022, Mr Hudson worked on songs for The 1975, Lloyiso, and Harry Hudson.
In 2023, Mr Hudson co-wrote and featured on "Memories" with Picard Brothers. He also co-wrote "Blind" for Renao. In August, "Looping" with Charlotte Cardin was released from her award-winning album 99 nights. In October 2023, he co-wrote and produced two songs for Duran Duran's album Danse Macabre.
In 2024, Mr Hudson collaborated with Stefflon Don and Sofia Isella. He also featured on and co-wrote "Without Words" with San Holo and "Waiting On A Blue Sky" with JP Cooper.
In early 2025, JP Cooper released "Talking To Strangers", which Mr Hudson co-wrote. Mr Hudson also collaborated with Sofia Isella on "Dog's Dinner".
Music Albums
- A Tale of Two Cities (2007) (as Mr Hudson and the Library)
- Straight No Chaser (2009)
- Never Grow Up (with Rosie Oddie, as BIGkids) (2012)
- When the Machine Stops (2019)
Awards and Nominations
- Q Awards 2009
- Q awards – Best Breakthrough Act – Won
- MOBO Awards 2009
- Best UK Act – Nominated
- Best Video "Supernova" – Nominated
- UMA Awards UK & France 2009
- Best Collaboration ft Kanye West – "Supernova" – Nominated
- Best Newcomer – Nominated
- Best R&B Act – Nominated
- MOBO Awards 2010
- Best Song "Playing with Fire" – Won
See also
In Spanish: Mr Hudson para niños
