Jennifer Hudson Returns to Songwriting: 'My Voice, My Words'
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- Jennifer Hudson menyatakan siap kembali menulis musik setelah hampir 20 tahun lebih fokus pada akting dan acara televisi.
- Ia menyebut nasihat Carole King dan Aretha Franklin sebagai pendorong untuk menggunakan suaranya dengan kata-katanya sendiri.
- Penampilan lagu 'Invisible' dalam tur musim panas memicu emosi dan menandai fase baru karier musiknya.
Singer and actress Jennifer Hudson announced her readiness to return to songwriting after years spent primarily in acting and as a television host. The 45-year-old described this new phase as a moment to put herself first after her son, David Otunga Jr., entered his teenage years.
In an interview with Variety, Hudson revealed that she now has more space for herself. "This is the chapter where I'm putting myself first. I'm almost an empty nester, and I'm like, 'Wow, I'm about to get a lot of time back. What am I going to do with that time? How do you invest it in yourself?'" she said. She admitted that she has always been very disciplined but is now starting to question what it feels like to take up more space for herself.
Hudson emphasized that she only writes when there's something she truly wants to convey. "This is time for my voice. Carole King and Aretha Franklin both told me, 'Use your voice.' That never left me. And when I use my voice this time, it's going to be with my own words," she stated.
Inspiration to return to music came from her son, who aspires to be a musician, as well as her partner, Grammy Award-winning singer Common. Hudson promised to remain authentic in this latest phase of her career. "What comes from the heart will reach the heart. What is real will resonate. If you don't put meaning into it, it's just a demo of the right notes," she explained.
"I only write when there's something I truly want to say, and this is time for my voice. Carole King and Aretha Franklin both said, 'Use your voice.' That never left me. And when I use my voice this time, it's going to be with my own words." — Jennifer Hudson
In addition to preparing new material, Hudson also revisited her old songs. At the final stop of her 16-city summer tour with Josh Groban, she performed 'Invisible' from her self-titled debut album (2008). The song features powerful lyrics: "And now I'm gonna live my life for me, 'cause this ain't how it's supposed to be. No more standing in the back of the line, 'cause I'm invisible for the last time."
Regarding the performance, Hudson admitted she became emotional. "I got emotional in the middle of the song. This song is almost 20 years old, but it feels different, as the kids say now. And I can't wait to sing it again," she said.
Hudson's return to the recording studio could mark a significant moment in the global music industry. After more than a decade primarily known as an Oscar-winning actress and talk show host, this move indicates her desire to reaffirm her identity as a singer-songwriter. In a music market increasingly dominated by cross-genre collaborations and young musicians, Hudson's presence with a personal and authentic approach has the potential to refresh the pop-soul music landscape.
For fans in Indonesia, this news opens an opportunity to witness a more intimate side of Hudson. Although there are no current plans for a Southeast Asian tour, enthusiasm for musicians who can voice personal experiences and self-empowerment remains high. Songs like 'Invisible' often become anthems for those who feel marginalized, and Hudson's new work is expected to resonate with listeners with similar messages.
With a commitment to writing her own songs and voicing her personal experiences, Jennifer Hudson appears ready to enter a new, more reflective chapter. Will she be able to replicate her early career commercial success, or will she find a new niche as a more mature and daring singer? The public awaits the answer through her upcoming work.
