Beat Laments The World: Remembering Nujabes

It really upsets me to post about the loss of a musician that I admire. But to not speak a few words about Japanese producer Jun Seba (aka Nujabes), who was confirmed dead on Thursday by members of his record label after a fatal car crash in late February, would be a disservice to the memory of a man whose work was immensely influential to a large number of fans and musicians across the world.

Seba was a relatively unknown figure outside of Japan for the majority of his career, best known for his contributions to the soundtrack for Samurai Champloo, an animated series from Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichiro Watanabe that tells the tale of three wanderers traversing an anachronistic feudal Japan peppered with elements of modern urban hip-hop culture. For many people (myself included), it was an introduction to Seba’s uncanny ability to blend hip-hop, a genre typically associated with hardiness, independence and expression of individuality, with a sense of serene majesty and wonder. Eschewing the violent and confrontational vibes of mainstream hip-hop production, Nujabes instead found his voice through careful study of jazz, funk/fusion and solo piano, partnering with little-known emcees of enormous talent such as Substantial, Five Deez, Pase Rock, Shing02 and Funky DL. He founded Hydeout Productions in the early 00’s and soon after released groundbreaking LP’s Modal Soul, Metaphorical Music and Hydeout Productions Vol. 1-2. The result was a stunning mixture of mesmerizing melodic loops, rejuvenating rhythms and heartfelt, positive lyrics from a rotating cast of vocal talent. Nothing I had heard from the hip-hop genre up to this point seemed so introspective; so thoroughly entrancing as the apparent perfection of his eloquently-crafted beats.

More so than any other hip-hop producer I’ve come to know, Jun Seba truly had his own unique sound and style. There is no doubt that his work will continue to inspire future generations of fans and musicians for years to come. Our thoughts go out to Seba’s family and friends during this difficult time.