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 June 26, 1979), known as Mr Hudson, is an English singer, songwriter, and music producer. He is from Birmingham, England.
In 2006, he started a band called Mr Hudson and the Library. Two years later, he signed with famous rapper Kanye West's record label, GOOD Music. He became a solo artist.
Mr Hudson is famous for singing on Kanye West's 2009 song "Paranoid." He also helped write other songs like "Say You Will" and "Street Lights. These songs were on Kanye West's album 808s & Heartbreak (2008).
He also sang on Jay-Z's song "Young Forever" in 2010. This song was very popular in the US and UK. His first solo album, Straight No Chaser (2009), reached number 25 in the UK. The song "Supernova" from that album, featuring Kanye West, reached number two in the UK.
Mr Hudson also writes and produces music for other artists. He has worked with Paloma Faith, Alex Clare, and Duran Duran. He won a Grammy Award for his work on John Legend's 2020 album Bigger Love.
Life and Music Journey
Early Life and Start in Music (1979–2006)
Mr Hudson was born in Birmingham, England. He grew up in the Handsworth area of the city. He went to King Edward's School, Birmingham and later studied English Literature at St Anne's College, Oxford.
Before forming Mr Hudson and the Library, he was in other bands. These bands included 'Mansize', 'The Hudson Sound', and 'Phoenix Green'. They played many shows in Birmingham and other places.
The Library Band 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 members included Maps Huxley (bass), Wilkie Wilkinson (drums), Joy Joseph (steel drums, vocals), and Torville Jones (piano).
Their first music was an EP called Bread & Roses in 2006. They toured with Amy Winehouse in 2007. Their first album, A Tale of Two Cities, came out that same year. Mr Hudson first appeared on the TV show Later with Jools Holland in December 2006.
The band's album used acoustic guitar, piano, and steelpan drums. They also covered two songs: "On the Street Where You Live" and "Everything Happens to Me."
In 2007, Mr Hudson and the Library toured British libraries. They also supported other artists like Amy Winehouse and Kanye West. They played at big music festivals like Glastonbury and V Festival.
In 2008, Mr Hudson started recording music as a solo artist. Even though the band name 'The Library' was not 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 solo album, Straight No Chaser. Kanye West offered to produce the album. Mr Hudson was also featured on Kanye West's album 808s & Heartbreak. He sang on "Paranoid" and helped produce "Street Lights."
Kanye West said, "I believe Mr. Hudson has the potential to be bigger than me."
The song "Supernova" was released in May 2009. It 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 wanted to make a popular pop record. He said he was inspired by artists like Bowie and Prince.
In 2009, Mr Hudson sang on the song "Playing with Fire" by N-Dubz. He also sang on Jay-Z's song "Young Forever" from the album The Blueprint 3. This song was a new version of "Forever Young" by Alphaville.
In 2010, Mr Hudson toured the UK and played at festivals. He also worked with 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.
In 2012, Mr Hudson started writing and producing for other artists. He also released an album called Never Grow Up with Rosie Oddie, under the name BIGkids.
Writing and Producing for Others (2013–2017)
In 2013, Mr Hudson released a new song called "Fred Astaire." The music video was directed by famous photographer Rankin. He also released "Move" and "Step into The Shadows" with Idris Elba.
He co-wrote the song "Real and True" for Future, which featured Miley Cyrus. He also worked with Rebecca Ferguson and Paloma Faith.
Mr Hudson spent much of 2014 writing and producing Paper Gods for the band Duran Duran. The lead singer, Simon le Bon, said Mr Hudson helped bring the album together. In 2015, Mr Hudson released his own songs, "Dancing Thru It" and "Hey You."
In 2016, he co-wrote and sang on "Here Comes The Night" for DJ Snake. He also co-wrote "September Song" for JP Cooper.
In 2017, Mr Hudson performed at a special concert celebrating David Bowie. He sang "Starman" with Bowie's band members. He continued to tour with them.
He also worked with Vic Mensa, JP Cooper, and Gin Wigmore. In late 2017, he released his own songs, "Can't Forget You" and "Coldplay" featuring Vic Mensa.
More Writing, Producing, and When the Machine Stops (2018–2019)
In 2018, Mr Hudson co-wrote "Zombie Love" for Alexander DeLeon. He also worked on "Screwed" for Janelle Monáe. He sang on the last song, "Cudi Montage," on Kanye West and Kid Cudi’s album "Kids See Ghosts."
He co-wrote "I See Love" for Jonas Blue and Joe Jonas for the Hotel Transylvania 3 movie soundtrack. He also worked on songs for Jake Shears and Vic Mensa.
In 2019, Mr Hudson released his first new original song in 10 years, called "Antidote." He then released "Chicago" featuring Vic Mensa. Both songs were on his album When the Machine Stops, released in June 2019.
The album 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 liked older music from artists like Chet Baker.
He also co-wrote "I Miss You" for Taylor Bennett's album and "Make My Dreams Come True" for Lontalius. His song "Rise" was featured on the Godfather of Harlem soundtrack.
Recent Work (2020–Present)
In 2020, Mr Hudson co-wrote and produced "Bits & Pieces" for JP Cooper. He also worked on John Legend's album Bigger Love, for the song "Never Break." In March 2021, his work on "Never Break" won a Grammy Award for Best R&B album.
He continued to co-write and produce for many artists. In 2021, he worked with Charlotte Cardin on "Je Quitte," which won multiple Juno awards in Canada. He also worked with San Holo and Johan Lenox.
In 2022, Mr Hudson worked on songs for The 1975, Lloyiso, and Harry Hudson.
In 2023, he released "Should Have Been Us" with Neve and "Memories" with Picard Brothers. In October 2023, he produced and co-wrote songs for Duran Duran's album Danse Macabre.
Music Albums
- A Tale of Two Cities (2007) (with his band, 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
Images for kids
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Mr Hudson performing at Lovebox Weekender in London, 2009
See also
In Spanish: Mr Hudson para niños
