Mr. HudsonKanye West may have a big ego, but the rapper/producer has enough modesty to recognize a future superstar when he sees one. Last year West told MTV News that one of the new artists he was working with, Mr. Hudson, had the potential to be a bigger star than himself. And, with Hudson’s first single (which features West) now released, the British pop singer could very well be on his way to fulfilling that prediction.

The song, “Supernova,” is already generating buzz with its unique beats and catchy chorus. The single is off the unreleased album, Straight No Chaser, which is due out in the UK on October 19, according to mrhudson.com.

Hudson has gained some recognition for his collaboration on West’s hit song, “Paranoid,” off the most-recent album 808s & Heartbreak. Recently he also appeared on Jay-Z’s new album, The Blueprint III. But now the singer/songwriter is beginning to make a real name for himself.

His second single, “White Lies,” is already available for listen online, and will be officially released in the UK on October 12.

Born as Ben Hudson in Birmingham, UK, Hudson first broke into the music scene with a band, Mr. Hudson & The Library. They released their first album, A Tale of Two Cities, in 2007.

Hudson is now signed to West’s G.O.O.D. Music Label & Mercury Records. West is the executive producer of Straight No Chaser. It’s a “break-up album,” according to Hudson’s website, about his separation from his long-term girlfriend and living partner.

“I’m not recommending to anyone to break up with someone in order to write a good album,” he says on the site, “But if you do, make sure you get into the studio shortly after.”

Even though the album is not yet available anywhere, and a North American release date is still uncertain, excited fans in dire need of some Hudson tunes can download a Straight No Chaser mixtape from mrhudson.com.

Even with the support of a superstar like West, Hudson is still relatively under the radar, especially in North America. However, some of his unreleased singles from Straight No Chaser, plus his collection of songs with Mr. Hudson & The Library, can be found on youtube and myspace. And whether the world agrees with the majority of West’s decisions (George Bush hates black people, anyone?), it is pretty clear that Hudson is one Mr. to listen for.






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