Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson is the debut studio album by American singer and actress Jennifer Hudson. It was first released in Australia, and it physically released in North America on September 30, 2008, by Arista and J Records. Hudson worked with several producers and songwriters on the album, including Rock City, Missy Elliott, Brian Kennedy, Ne-Yo, Salaam Remi, T-Pain, Tank, Timbaland and The Underdogs, among others. Three singles were released; "Spotlight" reached number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and in the top 20 on the UK Singles Chart. Jennifer Hudson debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, with first-week sales of 217,000 copies. and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the United States. Hudson promoted the album in numerous live appearances; including co-heading a North American concert tour with Robin Thicke, from March to May 2009. Hudson won three NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding New Artist, Outstanding Album and Outstanding Duo or Group for the album, and was nominated for four Grammy Awards, winning for Best R&B Album. A deluxe edition was released to iTunes on February 24, 2009. Background In January 2002, Hudson signed her first recording contract with Righteous Records, a Chicago-based independent record label. In 2004, she was released from her five-year contract so that she could audition for the third season of American Idol in Atlanta. As a finalist, Hudson received the highest number of votes in the Top 9 after her performance of Elton John's "Circle of Life" on April 6, 2004, but two weeks later she was eliminated after performing Barry Manilow's "Weekend in New England", coming in seventh place.