Jay-Z Joined By Mr. Hudson at London Show

Sara Harowitz — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:44:32 +0000

Posted on andPOP:

Rapper Jay-Z was joined onstage by rising pop phenomenon Mr. Hudson at his London show yesterday, reports nme.com.

Jay-Z is currently on tour in support of his new album, The Blueprint III, which took him to London’s Alexandra Palace last night. For the encore, Jay-Z sang a song off The Blueprint III, called “Young Forever,” which features Mr. Hudson. The singer joined Jay-Z onstage for the song.

Mr. Hudson’s appearance wasn’t the only surprise that the London audience got last night: they also found out they were going to be in a music video for the song. Jay-Z and Mr. Hudson used the crowd to film the video.

The crowd, once informed by Mr. Hudson that they were being filmed for the forthcoming promo, responded by holding lighters in the air and singing along while the artists and Jay-Z’s live band carried the song. ”Young Forever” closed off Jay-Z’s sold-out performance at the UK capital, which saw him play other hits including “Empire State of Mind,” “DOA (Death of Autotune)”, and “Izzo (H.O.V.A.).”

The rapper showed his love for the British crowd by projecting the Union Jack flag on a huge screen behind his band at various points throughout the show. He also made light of his success and his rather well-known self-confidence.

“I want to thank anyone who bought my ‘Blueprint III’,” he said to the crowd. “My 11th Number One album, surpassing Elvis Presley. I can officially say Elvis has left the building… That’s a joke.”

Later on Jay-Z rapped to a medley that included part of his wife Beyonce’s “Crazy In Love.” He also stopped in the middle of “Big Pimpin,’” making the crowd earn a restart by cheering loudly.

Before the “Young Forever” encore, the rapper picked out members of the crowd and thanked them, pointing out the clothing they were wearing or the flags they were waving to identify them individually.

His stop in Toronto on Halloween night also had surprise guests, including rising rap star and Toronto native Drake.

Next, Jay-Z will play Fresno, California’s Save Mart Center on Saturday, Nov. 7.

Mr. Hudson – The Future of Pop According To Kanye

Sara Harowitz — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:41:42 +0000

Posted on andPOP:

Kanye 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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Jay-Z Joined By Mr. Hudson at London Show

Mr. Hudson – The Future of Pop According To Kanye