More About Our Chosen Artist & Track

Artist
Mr Hudson (Ben Hudson a.k.a Ben McDowie) was originally part of a band, Mr Hudson & The Library, which were signed to Universal, but is now branching off on his own with Kanye West as his mentor, and is signed to G.O.O.D Music (Kanye's label) as well as Mercury records. He has listed many influences, from The Police and David Bowie to Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzee Rascal. Due to the amount of influence over his music a clear genre can't be defined. His music has a mix of R&B, Pop, HipHop and has been described as 'cocktail jazz meets hip hop'. If you see him on stage you should expect to see a steelpan and a piano along with the relatively usual drumkit, guitar etc.

"I wanted to make a mainstream record, not structured or ornate. The first album (with his band) 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.”

Mr Hudson describes his aims for his debut solo album

Track
The song is off Mr Hudson's debut solo album, 'Straight No Chaser' which will be released in early October. It was originally Mr Hudson Ft Kanye West but we chose to go with the Radio One Live Lounge version which features Tinie Tempah instead. This is because the lyrics of his verse fit the themes of the song a lot better. Obviously as Mr Hudson's album is a hybrid of various genres this track also goes the same way. With a mainstream R&B beat, mixed with a drum kit, electric guitar, steelpan and keyboard, he plays on many genres, including R&B, Pop and many more. And then with Tinie Tempah featuring a slight mainstream hiphop feel is added and then Mr Hudsons vocals which give it that 'cocktail jazz meets hip hop' feel.


- Mel, for the group -