Oscar-winning Hudson is already used to the 'Spotlight'
Jennifer Hudson may have taken longer than fans wished before officially announcing the release of her self-titled debut album, due Sept. 30 via Arista Records. But early chart movement indicates it might’ve been worth the wait.
Hudson’s lead single, the Ne-Yo-penned and Stargate-produced ‘‘Spotlight,’’ has jumped from No. 99 to No. 51 in its first three weeks on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
(Chris Pizzello/AP)
Ne-Yo notes there were challenges in choosing which song to use to introduce Hudson — the Oscar-winning South Side native and former “American Idol” contender” — but he but says he’s ‘‘really, really proud’’ his song was picked for the job.
‘‘They were really trying to figure out where to take her,’’ he says. ‘‘The main issue with Jennifer Hudson is her voice is so huge, so how do you take that and radio-ize it, make it radio-friendly? She can’t do [“And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from “Dreamgirls”] every song because you’ll eventually be tired of it. So [“Spotlight”] is kind of a classy mid-tempo, and I hope and pray it does well because Jennifer is an amazing talent.’’
According to Arista executive Scott Seviour, the track is intended not only to tide fans over until the fall album release but capitalize on Hudson’s role in the ‘‘Sex and the City’’ film, which opened with $55.7 million in U.S. theaters, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Its soundtrack, with the Hudson track ‘‘All Dressed in Love,’’ debuts this week at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
The one-time ‘‘American Idol’’ contestant also will star in and campaign for the movie ‘‘The Secret Lives of Bees,’’ set to hit theaters in October. ‘‘She has some stuff to do for the movie in June, so that keeps her in the public eye,’’ Seviour says.
‘‘Spotlight’’ will be made available digitally June 10, and multiple remixes of the track will be serviced to the Internet and radio. July and August will be reserved for additional radio and TV appearances.
While a follow-up hasn’t been chosen, some tracks in contention are the Timbaland-produced ‘‘Pocketbook’’ featuring Ludacris and ‘‘Can’t Stop the Rain,’’ also written by Ne-Yo.
Additional contributors to the album include Robin Thicke, the Underdogs, Diane Warren, Christopher ‘‘Tricky’’ Stewart and Jack Splash. R. Kelly and Akon are expected to contribute, as well.