H.R. (of Bad Brains)

H.R. ("Human Rights") (born February 11, 1956, in London, England) is the stage name of Paul D. Hudson, the lead singer of the influential hardcore punk band Bad Brains. Often, in conflict with the other members of the group throughout the 1980s, H.R. would leave the band periodically and record solo albums which were more mellow reggae than Bad Brains' usual offerings. Though reggae is the focus on H.R.'s solo material, rock and other musical genres are explored as well. As a result, he experienced an extensive solo career, gaining a reputation as an impressive singer and dynamic performer, with numerous reggae albums released on SST Records. He is the older brother of Earl Hudson, the band's usual drummer.

He has collaborated with the Long Beach Dub Allstars on their song "New Sun", on the Right Back album and with P.O.D. on their song "Without Jah, Nothin'", on the album Satellite. During the past several years H.R. has headlined DIA Records Global Rock Showcase tour. H.R. continues to play shows with his Bad Brains bandmates. The foursome released a new album, Build a Nation in 2007 produced by Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys. It is a return to their hardcore punk roots but also encompasses their unique reggae-punk hybrid sound expressed in I Against I, Quickness and later albums. This is the first original LP with the original lineup since 1995.

He and his bandmates became Rastafarians around 1979. This spiritual direction influenced the music of Bad Brains via his vocals, and inspired the creation of his reggae band, Human Rights.

A Village Voice review of a Bad Brains concert described him on stage "like James Brown gone berserk, with a hyperkinetic repertoire of spins, dives, back-flips, splits, and skanks."

In recent years H.R.'s performances have been markedly more mellow and restrained, focusing primarily on reggae, and Rastafarianism. This is a stark contrast to his wildly animated, aggressive stage performances of the late 70s and 1980s. H.R.'s persona, once that of a leonine, no-nonsense, and politically vocal Rasta has also mellowed considerably. He is often seen on stage displaying a sort of Cheshire Cat grin and standing singularly at the microphone. H.R.'s interviews in recent years have also been quite eccentric and free form, bordering on non-sensical and amusing. His eccentricities, however, have done little to diminish Bad Brains popularity or his own as a solo artist. H.R. currently resides in El Paso, TX, playing local and international gigs with the Dubb Agents.

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