Nujabes: Legendary Japanese Hip Hop Producer

If you're a lover of all spectrum's of music (especially mood chillin' music), then you probably already know of the artist who goes by the name of Nujabes. And if you don't, you will. Nujabes, (new-jah-bes) or Jun Seba, was a Japanese hip-hop producer who was specifically known for his Jazz samples/sounds mixed with his hip-hop beats. Jun was also the owner of Shibuya Records, T Records, Guinness Record stores and founder of the label Hydeout Productions. A good example and also one of the main sources that people find out about him is from the anime series Samurai Champloo, as Nujabes was one of the main contributors to the soundtrack, which mixed feudal Japan with a modern hip hop culture. Not all his work is instrumental though, Jun has worked closely with artists from Japan such as Shing02, Uyama Hiroto, Minmi, and even American hip-hop cats like CYNE, Substantial, Apani B, and many more.


Unfortunately on February 26, 2010, Jun Seba was in a deadly traffic accident while exiting the Shuto Expressway late night. He died in the Shibuya Ward hospital after many failed attempts to revive him. Jun was 36 years old.

Jun has produced four of his own albums like, Metaphorical Music or Modal Soul, along with a few compilation albums. Hydeout Productions told reporters that Nujabes has left many tracks behind which they will release at a later date.

For me his music is a big inspiration, as the sounds he produces are very uplifting and positive. Even in his song "Think Different" feat. Substantial, he sings about doing more positive, respectful things, almost insulting other rappers who thrive off the gangster rap image. The style of hip hop sounds and lyrics reminds me of the days of real street music with artists like "A Tribe Called Quest" or " Naughty By Nature". So I'll play this out while listing to his track - Hikari, saying: go check Nujabes out because he's Whats Up!
 
- SnowDjInn