It was confirmed that famed Japanese hip hop producer and DJ Jun Seba, better known as Nujabes, passed away due to a car accident that occurred on February 26 in Tokyo. News of Nujabes’ death was announced on the official website of Hydeout Productions, the independent record label that Nujabes founded. A private burial was held for Nujabes by his family. Nujabes was only 36 years old.
Nujabes’ Career
Nujabes made his professional debut in 2003 with the compilation album Hydeout Productions 1st Collection and a solo album Metaphorical Music.
In 2004, Nujabes was called upon by anime director, Shinichiro Watanabe to compose the background music and soundtracks for the anime series Samurai Champloo, as well as the anime’s opening theme. Of the four soundtracks released for Samurai Champloo, two are produced by Nujabes, Impression and Departure. The anime blended the storyline and setting of feudal Japanese samurai with anachronistic elements, specifically relating to hip hop culture. Samurai Champoo proved to be immensely popular and much of Nujabes’ fanbase readily claims the anime as their first introduction to his music.
Following the success of his music in Samurai Champloo, Nujabes went on to release another solo album in 2005 entitled Modal Soul. In 2007 and 2008 he released two more compilation albums, Hydeout Productions 2nd Collection and Modal Soul Classics. His most recent release was the 2009 compilation album Mellow Beats, Friends, and Lovers.
Nujabes left behind unreleased tracks that Hydeout Productions plans to release in the future.
The Music Style of Nujabes
Nujabes’ is known and loved for its unique and well-crafted mix of hip hop and jazz. Often ethereal, smooth, and powerful Nujabes has a masterful hold of his form. His music has a calming rhythm that can seem to lull its listener to an almost meditative state. Much of his music incorporates the skillful use of an acoustic guitar which is as dynamic as the accompanying vocals.
While Nujabes’ solo albums focuses mainly on the sort of flowing music that made him famous, his compilation albums seek to achieve harmony between his musical style and the vocals of the other artists. Throughout his career he collaborated with Japanese hip hop artists like Shing02, Uyama Hiroto, and Minmi. He has also done extensive collaborative work with American artists like Apani B, Five Deez, CL Smooth, Cise Starr,Terry Callier, and Substantial.
Nujabes’ Legacy
Within the short time that Nujabes has been releasing albums, he became one of the most popular and inspirational creative forces in Japan. His fanbase and influence stretches beyond national borders and his music will, no doubt, continue to endear and amaze listeners for many years to come.
Source
Shing02’s personal website http://e22.com/nujabes/
Jeremy Suizo - Jeremy Suizo is freelance writer from San Francisco, California. He graduated from the University of California; Berkeley with a B.A in ...
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