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Mr. Hudson is used to hanging out with the likes of Kanye West and Jay-Z these days, but he's taken time out from his A-list mates to go back to school.

The singer has been revisiting the Red Bull Music Academy, a temporary college that is set up for a few weeks every year to help people get started in the music industry.

He was a student when Seattle hosted the event in 2005.

"I'd never been to America before," he said. "I was on the dole, faking my bus pass, sardines for dinner and I was flown to Seattle and had a really inspiring fortnight there."

He was one of 30 people picked out to be a part of the project.

For a few weeks students are given the chance to network and learn from people already working and established within the music industry.

"It changed my life. I came back to London with some swagger, got myself together and got myself a record deal."

This time round it's based in London. A building in the city has been given a slick refit, with state of the art studios decked out with all the latest kit to make music.

Students shouldn't expect a call from Jay-Z straight away though.

Mr Hudson is arguably the academy's most successful former pupil and he admits he's had to graft since but he's not forgotten the breaks the experience gave him.

"I just want to come back and help out, whether it's making the tea or talking to people about my story or just jamming with them... any excuse to get in the building really," he said.