Nujabes | |
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Birth name | (瀬葉潤, Jun Seba) |
Born | February 7, 1974 |
Origin | Nishiazabu, Minato, Tokyo, Japan |
Died | Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan February 26, 2010 (aged 36) |
Genres | Hip hop, trip hop, cool jazz, Nu jazz, Jazz hop |
Occupations | Producer, DJ, composer, arranger |
Years active | 1996–2010 |
Labels | Hydeout Productions |
Website | Hydeout Productions |
Jun Seba (瀬場潤 Seba Jun , February 7, 1974 – February 26, 2010) was a Japanese hip hop producer and DJ who recorded under the name Nujabes (ヌジャベス Nujabesu ), the reverse spelling of his name in Japanese order. Nujabes was also owner of the Shibuya record stores, T Records and Guinness Records and founder of the independent label Hydeout Productions. He died in a car accident on February 26, 2010.
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Nujabes is best known for his approach to hip hop beats, often blending jazz influences into his songs creating a mellow, nostalgic and atmospheric sound. In addition to Japanese artists like Uyama Hiroto, Shing02 and Minmi, Nujabes collaborated with various underground American hip hop acts CYNE, Cise Starr (as a solo apart from the hip-hop collective CYNE), Apani B, Five Deez, Substantial, CL Smooth, Fat Jon, Jose James, Terry Callier, as well as British rapper Funky DL. He was also a member of the production duo Urbanforest, an experimental collaboration with Nao T.[1]
Nujabes was one of the most prolific contributors to the background music and soundtracks of Samurai Champloo, an anime which blends a feudal Japan setting with modern anachronisms, especially in regard to hip hop culture such as graffiti and rapping.[2]
A distinguishing feature of Nujabes' sound is his incorporation of Jazz samples in his tunes. For an example, the track "The Final View" on his album Metaphorical Music features the Jazz Standard "Love Theme From Spartacus" by Pianist Barry Harris, as played by Saxophonist Yusef Lateef, sampled over the track. Nujabes incorporates Lateef's head melody on oboe, cuts of his solos, and background piano comping in his piece. He was known to use Technic headphones series RP-DJ1200A.
On February 26, 2010, Jun Seba was involved in a car accident while exiting the Shuto Expressway late at night. He died at a hospital in Shibuya Ward after failed attempts to resuscitate him, at the age of 36. Seba's death was officially announced by Shing02, a friend and collaborator of Nujabes, and Hydeout Productions on March 18, 2010. A private burial with only family in attendance was held for Jun. Hydeout Productions has stated that Nujabes has left behind tracks which were released in the posthumous album Spiritual State.[3]
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Metaphorical Music
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Samurai Champloo Music Record: Impression
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Samurai Champloo Music Record: Departure
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Modal Soul
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Spiritual State
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Hydeout Productions 1st Collection
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Hydeout Productions 2nd Collection
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Ain't No Mystery
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Luv (Sic) Part 1
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Luv (Sic) Part 2
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Lady Brown 12"
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To This Union A Sun Was Born
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Bullshit as Usual
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Mellow Beats, Friends & Lovers
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Modal Soul Classics II
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Sweet Sticky Thing
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Ristorante Mixtape NUJABES
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Modal Soul Classics
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Crushin' coal to a diamond
Eyes forever shinin'
Your beauty alone inspire a nigga to rhymin'
Thinkin' of the better things in life
Thinkin' of how I could persuade you to become my wife
Hand in hand as we floatin' over tropical sands
You're my lady, I'm your man
So let's further advance to the next scene
Peace, sleepin' next to you, resting
You the personification of all God's blessings
Comin' to me, in just one physical bein'
One physical dream that I wanna redeem
Your voluptuous, sweet, caramel, brown honey dew
Satin skin, smooth to the touch, what'd a nigga do
So sensual, her smile like a chemical
Extract of perfection, rare mineral
She smell like a happy birthday, on a Thursday
Quiet time, love sleep in, I wake early
(Chorus:)
Honey brown with the long black hair
Teasing me with a kiss and a stare
Slight touch - and you're taking me there
So fine and it just ain't fair
So beautiful and so damn rare
She's angelic and energetic using sex as a weapon
I reckon that I confess seein' her body is just a blessin'
From God down to earth, she needs to be in a church
To prove we didn't spawn from fish but God's work
Hurts to see her clothed, cuz her body beholds
Secrets untold valued like platinum and gold
For she is the key to open my mind and see
The energy that radiates from the gates of heavenly
Bliss, I reminisce of a touch and a kiss
While you fuckin' a bitch, I go to make love to my miss
Never scandalous, its unanimous stepping you would handle it
Lights off and candlelit rooms are glamorous
Yo I call you, love, sexual, you look edible
Parallel, snuggle up, close, intellectual
In a rendezvous with you a wrap hairdo
No make up, a jeans shorts, open-toed shoes
I wanna hold you, mold your soul, I behold you
Know you, better than myself, never own you
But keep you, never leave you, I beseech you
God's gift to man is you wearing a see-through
Riding seadoos in Atlantic ocean
Causing commotion, lay down, goin' through the motions
Keeping ya skin soft, lotions got me coasting
Down pretty round brown thighs, the candle's low lit
(Chorus)
Look at this agreeable, delightful, delectable
Unforgettable, so sweet she may be edible
She needs a pedestal to step outta heaven
You ready boo? Never hypothetical
You factual, and magical
Fuck theatrical, baby girl, because you actual
Physically your chemistry is so mathematical
Had to use academics to define your spirit
You liftin' my limits, your name off of my tongue is a lyric
She's a compilation of my mind's representation
Of a representative, representing an excellent revelation
Of time and dedication (?), never impatient (for real)
She know the deal (reveal), herself to me
So I could see her heavenly ways, her heavenly gaze
And plus it don't hurt that she has an ass for days (OK)
So as we lay, I reminisce on the day that we met