History Music / Nujabes

Nujabes (real name: Jun Seba, or 瀬葉 淳, February 7, 1974 – February 26, 2010) was a Japanese HipHop producer and DJ who still stands to this day as one of the most highly celebrated artists of his time.

Being [[ReclusiveArtist a very private person]], not much is known about his personal life. His career was cut short on February 26, 2010 when he was involved in a late-night traffic accident exiting the Shuto Expressway. About three weeks later on March 17, he was pronounced dead at a Shibuya Ward hospital after several failed revival attempts.

He is known as one of the forerunners of the jazz-based slant of the instrumental hip hop genre, with a distinctly mellow, soulful, and atmospheric approach to sample-based beatmaking that has reflected onto modern production techniques, namely through the [=2010s=] subgenres of "chill-hop" and "lo-fi hip-hop", of which he is commonly credited as a UrExample.

[[caption-width-right:350: ''The beat plus the melody's the recipe / all good souls lost, may they rest in peace.'']]

Nujabes (real name: Jun Seba, or 瀬葉 淳, February 7, 1974 – February 26, 2010) was a Japanese HipHop producer and DJ who still stands to this day as one of the most highly celebrated producers of his time.

He is known as one of the forerunners of the jazz-based slant of the instrumental hip hop genre, with a distinctly mellow and soulful approach to beatmaking highly influenced by his atmospheric [[{{Sampling}} samples]].

One of his main claims to fame is his extensive work on the soundtrack music of ''Anime/SamuraiChamploo'', creating its opening theme [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OobUV9q0aDA "Battlecry"]] and its ending theme [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlThHFYclgw "Shiki no Uta,"]] as well as many more songs on the two official soundtracks of the show (''Departure'' and ''Impression'').

To make matters worse, he was working on his fifth studio work, ''Spiritual State'', at the time of his passing. Understandably, those close to him didn't want to let the album fail to see the light of day, so the album was eventually finished and released posthumously at the end of 2011. At the time of Nujabes' passing, the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGfguhnvECc "Luv(sic)" hexalogy]] of songs made with rapper [=Shing02=] was half-finished, and it was eventually completed.

----
-->''And I drove the Chevy to the Levy''\\
''But the Levy was dry, singing "This will be the day that I die"''

Nujabes (real name: Jun Seba, or 瀬葉 淳, February 7, 1974 – February 26, 2010) was a Japanese HipHop producer and DJ, and still stands to this day as one of the most highly respected and celebrated producers of his time, as well as one of the forerunners of the jazz-based slant of the instrumental hip hop genre, with a distinctly mellow, atmospheric, and soulful approach to beatmaking highly influenced by elements of {{sampling}} genres like jazz.

Being [[ReclusiveArtist a very private person]], not much is known about his personal life.

His career was cut short on February 26, 2010 when he was involved in a late-night traffic accident exiting the Shuto Expressway. About three weeks later on March 17, he was pronounced dead at a Shibuya Ward hospital after several failed revival attempts.

* ShoutOut: "Feather" mentions ''Literature/OfMiceAndMen'', ''Literature/FlowersForAlgernon'', Chinua Achebe's ''Arrow of God'', and ''Film/{{Rambo}}'', and also quotes "Music/AmericanPie" in its final lines.

Nujabes (real name: Jun Seba, or 瀬葉 淳, February 7, 1974 – February 26, 2010) was a Japanese HipHop producer/DJ, and still stands to this day as one of the most highly respected and celebrated producers of his time, as well as one of the forerunners of the jazz-based slant of the instrumental hip hop genre.

His beats are distinctly mellow, atmospheric, and soulful beats, highly influenced by elements of [[{{Sampling}} sampled]] jazz and similarly smooth genres.

Being a very private person, not much is known about his personal life.

Sadly, his career was abruptly cut short in February 26, 2010 when he was involved in a late-night traffic accident exiting the Shuto Expressway. About three weeks later on March 17, he was pronounced dead at a Shibuya Ward hospital after several failed revival attempts.

Nujabes (real name: Jun Seba, or 瀬葉 淳, February 7, 1974 – February 26, 2010) was a Japanese HipHop producer/DJ, and still stands to this day as one of the most highly respected, renowned, and celebrated hip hop producers of his time, as well as one of the forerunners of the jazz-based slant of the instrumental hip hop genre.

He is famous for his mellow, atmospheric, and soulful approach to beat-making, highly influenced by elements of jazz which more often than not appeared via sampling.

To make matters worse, he was working on his fifth studio work, ''Spiritual State'', at the time of his passing. Understandably, those close to him didn't want to let the album fail to see the light of day, so the album was eventually finished and released posthumously at the end of 2011. At the time of Nujabes' passing, the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGfguhnvECc "Luv(sic)" hexalogy]] with [=Shing02=] was half-finished, and it was eventually completed.

The artist Ta-ku also made a tribute album to Nujabes called ''25 Nights for Nujabes'' that can be found in its entirety [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Fp1viiRJnw here.]]

* ''Hydeout Productions: 1st Collection'' (compilation) (April 2003)
* ''Metaphorical Music'' (August 2003)
* ''Samurai Champloo: Departure'' (June 2004)
* ''Samurai Champloo: Impression'' (September 2004)
* ''Modal Soul'' (November 2005)
* ''Hydeout Productions: 2nd Collection'' (compilation) (November 2007)
* ''Modal Soul Classics'' (compilation) (June 2008)
* ''Mellow Beats, Friends, & Lovers'' (compilation) (June 2009)
* ''Modal Soul Classics II'' (tribute album) (November 2010)
* ''Spiritual State'' (December 2011; posthumous)

* ShoutOut: "Feather" mentions ''Literature/OfMiceAndMen'', ''Literature/FlowersForAlgernon'', Chinua Achebe's ''Arrow of God'', and ''Film/{{Rambo}}''.

** Both of them had unfinished albums at the time of their deaths (Spiritual State for Nujabes, and The Shining for Jay Dre)

* PosthumousCollaboration: The second half of the "Luv(sic)" series (parts 4-6) & the track "Perfect Circle" were all completed and released by [=Shing02=] (with the blessings of Nujabes' label, Hydeout Productions) from unfinished beats found on Nujabes' computer and phone after his death. Fellow Nujabes collaborator Uyama Hiroto was responsible for helping finish the instrumentals for the last three Luv(sic) tracks, as they weren't fully finished before Nujabes died. "Perfect Circle", on the other hand, was a lost beat that Nujabes gave [=Shing02=] in 2004, and the latter had finished writing the song but didn't record vocals for it until a decade later.

Nujabes (real name: Jun Seba, or 瀬葉 淳, February 7, 1974 – February 26, 2010) was a Japanese HipHop producer/DJ, and still stands to this day as one of the most highly respected, renowned, and celebrated hip hop producers of his time, as well as one of the forerunners of the instrumental hip hop genre. He is famous for his mellow, atmospheric, and SugarWiki/SweetDreamsFuel-laden approach to his music, highly influenced by jazz which more often than not appeared via sampling. Additionally, his unique view of the extents that hip-hop can go have forever changed the perspective of the genre and turned even the most bitter haters of the genre into enthusiasts.

Sadly, his career was abruptly cut short in February 26, 2010 when he was involved in a late-night traffic accident exiting the Shuto Expressway. About three weeks later on March 17, he was pronounced dead at a Shibuya Ward hospital after several failed revival attempts. To make matters worse, he was working on his fifth studio work, ''Spiritual State'', at the time of his passing. Understandably, those close to him didn't want to let the album fail to see the light of day, so the album was eventually finished and released posthumously at the end of 2011. At the time of Nujabes' passing, the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGfguhnvECc "Luv(sic)" hexalogy]] with [=Shing02=] was half-finished, and it was eventually completed.

* FadingIntoTheNextSong: There are several mixes of the entire "Luv(sic)" series on Youtube that do this to transition between songs. Some transitions are more gradual than others, and some transitions are more fluid than others.

** "Shiki no Uta" borrows its beat from "Beat Laments the World", but it gets sort of diminished behind MINMI's vocals.
** The instrumental to the "Latitude" remix on ''Metaphorical Music'' was expanded and revised for "Mystline".

* OnceAnEpisode: "Substantial and Nujabes still doin' this" is a staple intro when Substantial guests on a song. The final vocal song on the posthumous album, ''Spiritual State'', appends "[[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming and it's infinite]]" to that sentence.

* PosthumousCollaboration: The second half of the "Luv(sic)" series (parts 4-6) were all completed and released by [=Shing02=] (with the blessings of Nujabes' label, Hydeout Productions) from unfinished beats found on Nujabes' computer and phone after his death. Fellow Nujabes collaborator Uyama Hiroto was responsible for helping finish the instrumentals for parts 5 & 6, as they weren't fully finished before Nujabes died.

* PosthumousCollaboration: The second half of the "Luv(sic)" series (parts 4-6) were all completed and released by [=Shing02=] (with the blessings of Nujabes' label, Hydeout Productions) from unfinished beats found on Nujabes' computer and phone after his death.

Nujabes (real name: Jun Seba, or 瀬葉 淳) (1974 - 2010) was a Japanese HipHop producer/DJ, and still stands to this day as one of the most highly respected, renowned, and celebrated hip hop producers of his time, as well as one of the forerunners of the instrumental hip hop genre. He is famous for his mellow, atmospheric, and SugarWiki/SweetDreamsFuel-laden approach to his music, highly influenced by jazz which more often than not appeared via sampling. Additionally, his unique view of the extents that hip-hop can go have forever changed the perspective of the genre and turned even the most bitter haters of the genre into enthusiasts.

Nujabes (real name: Jun Seba, or 瀬葉淳) (1974 - 2010) was a Japanese HipHop producer/DJ, and still stands to this day as one of the most highly respected, renowned, and celebrated hip hop producers of his time, as well as one of the forerunners of the instrumental hip hop genre. He is famous for his mellow, atmospheric, and SugarWiki/SweetDreamsFuel-laden approach to his music, highly influenced by jazz which more often than not appeared via sampling. Additionally, his unique view of the extents that hip-hop can go have forever changed the perspective of the genre and turned even the most bitter haters of the genre into enthusiasts.

* ''Ain't No Mystery'' (single) (1999)
* ''Hydeout Productions: 1st Collection'' (April 2003)

** ''Lady Brown'' (single from ''Metaphorical Music'') (September 2003)

* ''Hydeout Productions: 2nd Collection'' (November 2007)
* ''Modal Soul Classics'' (June 2008)
* ''Mellow Beats, Friends, & Lovers'' (June 2009)

* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters: Nujabes collaborated with numerous performers on his albums: Substantial, Pase Rock, Shing02, Cise Starr, Fat Jon and many, many others.

* PosthumousCollaboration: The second half of the "Luv(sic)" series (parts 4-6) were all completed and released by Shing02 (with the blessings of Nujabes' label, Hydeout Productions) from unfinished beats found on Nujabes' computer and phone after his death.
* PunBasedTitle: "Luv(sic)", as explained by Shing02:

'''Nujabes''' (real name: Jun Seba, or 瀬葉淳) (1974 - 2010) was a Japanese HipHop producer/DJ, and still stands to this day as one of the most highly respected, renowned, and celebrated hip hop producers of his time, as well as one of the forerunners of the instrumental hip hop genre. He is famous for his mellow and atmospheric approach to his music, highly influenced by jazz which more often than not appeared via sampling. Nujabes has tackled everything from [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDpZCMTmzO4 boisterous jazz]] to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6z1Bm3iINQ the sounds of nature]] and made it sound blissful. If there's any one artist who has an entire discography of SugarWiki/{{Most Wonderful Sound}}s and SugarWiki/SweetDreamsFuel, it's Nujabes. Additionally, his unique view of the extents that hip-hop can go have forever changed the perspective of the genre and turned even the most bitter haters of the genre into enthusiasts.

* EpicRocking: "Peaceland," "Yes," "Horizon," "Kujaku," "Spiritual State," "World Without Words," "Gone Are the Days," and "World's End Rhapsody" are all over or close to six minutes long. "Peaceland" is the longest, at 8:20.

* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Rather, a "The Reason You Suck" ''Rap'' that gets delivered by Substantial in "Think Different".

** Both were born on the same day and year (February 7, 1974)
** Both got their starts in the mid-Nineties

* EpicRiff: The guitar riff in "Shiki no Uta."

[[caption-width-right:350: ''The beat plus the melody's the recipe / all good souls lost, may they rest in peace'']]

'''Nujabes''' (real name: Jun Seba, or 瀬葉淳) (1974 - 2010) was a Japanese HipHop producer / DJ, and still stands to this day as one of the most highly respected, renowned, and celebrated hip hop producers of his time, as well as one of the forerunners of the instrumental hip hop genre. He is famous for his mellow and atmospheric approach to his music, highly influenced by jazz which more often than not appeared via sampling. Nujabes has tackled everything from [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDpZCMTmzO4 boisterous jazz]] to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6z1Bm3iINQ the sounds of nature]] and made it sound blissful. If there's any one artist who has an entire discography of {{Most Wonderful Sound}}s and SugarWiki/SweetDreamsFuel, it's Nujabes. Additionally, his unique view of the extents that hip-hop can go have forever changed the perspective of the genre and turned even the most bitter haters of the genre into enthusiasts.

One of his main claims to fame is his extensive work on the soundtrack music of ''Anime/SamuraiChamploo'', creating its opening theme [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OobUV9q0aDA "Battlecry"]] and its ending theme [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlThHFYclgw "Shiki no Uta"]], as well as many more songs on the two official soundtracks of the show (''Departure'' and ''Impression'').

Sadly, his career was abruptly cut short in February 26, 2010 when he was involved in a late-night traffic accident exiting the Shuto Expressway. About three weeks later on March 17, he was pronounced dead at a Shibuya Ward hospital after several failed revival attempts. To make matters worse, he was working on his fifth studio work, ''Spiritual State'', at the time of his passing. Understandably, those close to him didn't want to let the album fail to see the light of day, so the album was eventually finished and released posthumously at the end of 2011. At the time of Nujabes' passing, the "Luv(sic)" hexalogy with [=Shing02=] was half-finished, and it was eventually completed.

His personal website can be found [[http://e22.com/nujabes/ here]].

The artist Ta-ku also made a tribute album to Nujabes called ''25 Nights for Nujabes'' that can be found in its entirety [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Fp1viiRJnw here]].

* EpicRocking: "Peaceland", "Yes", "Horizon", "Kujaku", "Spiritual State", "World Without Words", "Gone Are the Days", and "World's End Rhapsody" are all over or close to six minutes long. "Peaceland" is the longest, at 8:20.

If you're new to Nujabes, don't fret: two Nujabes fans on Youtube have made wonderful fanmade playlists that are great for starters to his discography: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r16ndBiHC-0 Lovely Vibes]]'' and ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTH7XefE85A Soul Searching]]''.

'''Nujabes''' (real name: Jun Seba, or 瀬葉淳) (1974 - 2010) was a Japanese HipHop producer / DJ, and still stands to this day as one of the most highly respected, renowned, and celebrated hip hop producers of his time, as well as one of the forerunners of the instrumental hip hop genre. He is famous for his mellow and atmospheric approach to his music, highly influenced by jazz which more often than not appeared via sampling. Nujabes has tackled everything from [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDpZCMTmzO4 Chicago jazz]] to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6z1Bm3iINQ the aesthetic sounds of nature]] and made it sound blissful. If there's any one artist who has an entire discography of {{Most Wonderful Sound}}s and SugarWiki/SweetDreamsFuel, it's Nujabes. Additionally, his unique view of the extents that hip-hop can go have forever changed the perspective of the genre and turned even the most bitter haters of the genre into enthusiasts.

'''Nujabes''' (real name: Jun Seba, or 瀬葉淳) (1974 - 2010) was a Japanese HipHop producer/DJ and still stands to this day as one of the most highly respected, renowned, and celebrated hip hop producers of his time, as well as one of the forerunners of the instrumental hip hop genre. He is famous for his mellow and atmospheric approach to his music, highly influenced by jazz which more often than not appeared via sampling. Nujabes has tackled everything from [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDpZCMTmzO4 Chicago jazz]] to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6z1Bm3iINQ the aesthetic sounds of nature]] and made it sound blissful. If there's any one artist who has an entire discography of {{Most Wonderful Sound}}s and SugarWiki/SweetDreamsFuel, it's Nujabes. Additionally, his unique view of the extents that hip-hop can go have forever changed the perspective of the genre and turned even the most bitter haters of the genre into enthusiasts.

[[caption-width-right:350:''The beat plus the melody's the recipe / all good souls lost, may they rest in peace'']]

** His swan song, "Luv(sic) Grand Finale", is this as well.

* DoingItForTheArt: He seemed to just love creating music within the scene, if at all.

* ReclusiveArtist: Jun was infamous for being a ''very'' private individual.