William Hudson

Biography

William Hudson, also known by his stage names "Burk", "Rev. William Burk(e/s)" and "Lil' Chuuuch" is a hip hop artist and up-and-coming actor best known for his work with R. Kelly and the Wu-Tang Clan and affiliates. Through his close ties with hip hop artist, director and actor The RZA, he was ordained as a member of the experimental hip hop supergroup The Achozen, and acquired connections in the film industry, most notably to director Quentin Tarantino. Born in Detroit, Hudson began to write poetry at an early age. After moving to Chicago in his youth, he became seriously interested in writing rap music, heavily influenced by such artists as the Wu-Tang Clan, Dead Prez, Mos Def and Talib Kweli. During his time in Chicago, Hudson soon became known for his fast, versatile flow and witty lyricism through his regular performances at local clubs, as well as local and national radio shows. Furthermore, he was featured on the Unsigned Hype Live Tour organized by The Source Magazine. Subsequently, Hudson moved to Miami, where he enrolled in the University of Miami in Coral Gables to study theater and business management. At the same time, he continued to pursue his music career through club performances and collaborations (e.g. with Wu-Tang Clan affiliates Killarmy), leading him to secure a record deal with 'Cane Records in 2000. While his self-produced, critically acclaimed debut album "Insurrection", released in 2002, failed to gain him commercial success, his intelligent, positive and thought-provoking lyrics opened up many doors in the rap music industry. After moving back to Chicago, he connected with R. Kelly to release a number of featured songs that reclaimed and extended his notoriety in his "adopted" hometown. At the same time, he began to collaborate closely with The RZA, mastermind of the influential hip hop combo Wu-Tang Clan. Various features and nationally broadcasted radio shows, as well as a Nike TV commercial further exposed him to a worldwide audience. Through the time spent in Hollywood to support The RZA in his moves to establish a career as an actor and artist, he also became acquainted with the film industry. These connections helped him to secure his first acting role as an extra in Ridley Scott's "American Gangster" starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. During this time, his exceptional talent on the microphone also caught the ear of Snoop Dogg, another industry heavyweight supporting Hudson. Recently it was revealed that Hudson will star in Quentin Tarantino's upcoming movie "Django Unchained", alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx and Samuel L. Jackson. Trivia Hudson was present when The RZA's cousin Russell Tyrone Jones (better known as Ol' Dirty Bastard) collapsed and died in The RZA's recording studio (36 Records LLC on West 34th Street, NYC, NY) on November 13, 2004. Hudson since stated that this experience had a lasting influence on him.