A True Hip-Hop Legend

Jun Seba. Born February 7, 1974. Jun Seba (better known to the public as Nujabes) was one of the most influential music producers to enter the business. He was a Japanese man, taking pride in his culture and embodying it into his music. Nujabes was a soulful producer, combining the music of feudal Japan with new age jazz and hip hop. In addition Nujabes also worked with many talented underground artists such as “Shing02” and “Minmi” to produce amazing records. Using the skills of underground musicians allowed Nujabes to choose how to produce his beats instead of falling into the mainstream trap. In America he is most famous for providing background music to the anime “Samurai Champloo” which relates to his music. Nujabes died February 26, 2010 in a car accident in Shibuya.

“Samurai Champloo”

Nujabes has without a doubt some of the best music to be created during the 21st century. When you take the time to sit and listen to his tracks, all doubts worries and fears seem to flow out of your heart while beautiful melodies sneak their way into your ears. It’s as if jazz and Japanese music had a child, and that child somehow met with the child of Hip-hop then the offspring of these two children would be his music. Songs such as “Another Night”, “Mystline” and my personal favorite “Battlecry” are the type of songs you would find at a local underground cabaret club. The hip-hop world suffered a terrible blow with his death. The thing that made Nujabes so great is his ability to keep his music consistent throughout his years. Most artist seem to change as times pass, but Jun Seba continued to stick to his roots and they carried him farther than he ever could have imagined. Even in the United States he had a powerful influence on today’s youth; no not the average Flocka, Wayne or Trey Songs listeners, but the underground listeners who appreciated the value of a good jazz song. These individuals are the one’s who will pay respects February 26. It’s one thing to make a good song with lyrics, but to create a masterpiece without words is something legendary in this day and age. So I catch myself staring into the sky, while listening to his music, wondering if his beats are echoing through heavens halls.