[Album] Nujabes - 1973-2010 • R.I.P.

Jun Seba a.k.a. Nujabes, beloved hip hop producer and composer of several anime soundtracks including my personal favorite, Samurai Champloo, passed away on February 26. News was broken by fellow HydeOut Productions label mate Shing02

Quote:

Today, I have very somber news for the international hip hop community, especially fans of the independent hip hop scene, and those who have followed my career.

It has been announced that Jun Seba, aka Nujabes, Japanese hip hop producer extraordinaire, passed away late February. Official statement from the label (in Japanese) here:
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We deeply regret the loss of a unique talent and a close friend. Through his soulful music, Nujabes has touched so many people around the world, even beyond his dreams. He was a mysterious character to most as he avoided the public limelight, rarely conducted interviews, so only a few got to know the man behind the signature production. Yet it continued to amaze me how young listeners of all backgrounds learned of his enigmatic name, and expressed support for his music.

As I write now from Japan, I had been leaving him messages the past couple of weeks, trying to get in the studio together, so the news could not have come any more unexpected. Even last week, I passed by his house and called him thinking he was still home.

I met Nujabes around 2000 and as an upcoming MC, I was fortunate to work on tracks such as Battlecry, F.I.L.O, Luv(sic) parts 1, 2 and 3. We had been working on the next trilogy of Luv(sic) over the past year (which we're determined to see through). The last time we talked in January, Nujabes emailed me to wish Jeff Resurreccion, a 19-year old beatboxer who had just passed way from cancer, his heartfelt condolences.

While we continue to respect the privacy of his family, we will work to preserve his legacy, and pay tribute to the body of work, some unreleased, that he has left for us to enjoy. Jun Seba will be dearly missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and fans worldwide.

in peace,
Shing02

R.I.P. Jun Seba. One life. One love.

Most amazing jew boots

I've been playing his tunes all day today. <3

The more I listen to it, the more I come to realize that, to me, Nujabes was so much more than "that dope hip hop producer". His music transcended language barriers and genres and it is this reason that he struck a chord with such an audience as he did worldwide. Few artists can say that their music alone was a movement, both metaphorical and emotional, and Nujabes was the real deal. I feel a genuine sense of sadness about this and now I can only rely on the knowledge that his music changed my lookout on hip hop for the better and added a bit of musical and lyrical sunshine to a world so clouded in darkness most of the time. He is most definitely missed.

There's nowhere I can't reach.