He was also an owner of "tribe", a record store in Shibuya, Tokyo, and led indie record label Hyde-Out Productions. He released two albums in Japan, Metaphorical Music in 2003 and Modal Soul in 2005. He was also a member of the production duo Urbanforest, an experimental collaboration with Nao Tokui (appearing on the Lady Brown 12").
In addition to Japanese artists like Shing02 and Minmi, he has collaborated with underground American hip-hop acts Cyne, Apani B-Fly, Five Deez, Substantial, Fat Jon and British rapper Funky DL.
He has also contributed music to the soundtrack of Samurai Champloo, an anime which blends a setting in feudal Japan with modern anachronisms, especially hip-hop music.
On March 17, 2010, it was announced on the Hyde-Out Productions website that Jun passed away on February 26, 2010 at the age of 36 after being involved in a serious car accident on the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway. He was promptly transported to the hospital, where attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. An English announcement was made on March 18 by friend and collaborator Shing02 on the Empire22 website:
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:
http://hydeout.net/hydeout/2010/03/_hydeoutproductions.html
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
Hikari
Nujabes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still doing this
Yeah
Sorry love
Sorry love
Sorry love
But it seems like it isn′t in the cards for us
But, sorry, sweetheart we can never be
The little things you do be impressin' me
Still, baby girl, we can never be
You only want one night of ecstasy
Thanks but no thanks it can never be
′Cause I got a wife at home that I'm blessed to keep
And to fool around with you would be the death of me
Can't have the ingredients to the recipe
′Cause it isn′t fair to you nor fair to me
And more importantly
It sure isn't fair to her
Guess we might′ve had chance before I married her
'Cause wifey is worth more than life to me
A soulmate
Who am I to control fate?
′Cause somebody like you is much more than cut buddy
But I can't give you all the things that you want from me
So...
We can′t be, we won't be
Sorry love
We can't be, we won′t be
Sorry love
We can′t be, we won't be
Sorry love
But it seems like it isn′t in the cards for us
We can't be, we won′t be
Sorry love
We can't be, we won′t be
Sorry love
We can't be, we won't be
Sorry love
But it seems like it isn′t in the cards for us
I know you think I′ll be the perfect man
But it seems like the most I have ever pleased
Sounds no better than my brotha man
Can't run around like Mr. Lover Man
Tryin′ to maintain
Spend the rest of life with the same dame
That's right, uh
Found the right one
Sounds like fun
But I ain′t this and that
'Cause if I lose her slim chance I′ll get her back
This is real life
This ain't cinemax
Tryin' get my little seats filled
People feelin′ packed
On these hardwood floors
On this house we own
They get hot, we know
But it′s not for show
Not that anything's the matter with you
But there′s no guarantee that I'm compatible with you
And I can′t make you into something you're not
No need to look around for what I already got
So...
I ain′t tryin' to
Waste your time, boo
I know you've been stepped on
And been lied to
God bless the next man who′s lucky to find you
It′s hard to sever ties
But, baby, I got to
Uh, that's the way it is
I know you don′t know what to think of this
And I'm really sorry that it came to this
Feels like an end Let′s break this
'Cause they say it′s easier that way
That's passe
And it hurts like a bad date
And the pressure is enough to make a back break
But to lead you on would be mad fake
So do your thing, baby
I'll do mine
Don′t worry ′bout me, girl
I'll be fine
This is all my fault
I′m too kind
And a decent human being's hard to find
We can′t be, we won't be
Sorry love
We can′t be, we won't be
Sorry love
We can't be, we won′t be
Sorry love
But it seems like it isn′t in the cards for us
We can't be, we won′t be
Sorry love
We can't be, we won′t be
Sorry love
We can't be, we won′t be
Sorry love
But it seems like it isn't in the cards for us
The lyrics of Nujabes's song “Hikari” featuring Substantial tell a story of unrequited love between Substantial and a woman. Substantial tells her that he finds her impressive and would like to be with her, but he has a wife at home whom he loves deeply. He apologizes to her, saying that they cannot be together, and it would not be fair to any of them. He acknowledges that the woman deserves more than just a “cut buddy,” but he cannot give her everything that she wants from him. He says that he is sorry for leading her on and that he must sever ties with her. The song is a message about the importance of staying true to one's commitments and being respectful to others.
In this song, Nujabes, who was also a producer, skillfully combined jazz, hip-hop, and soul music, creating a mellow and smooth ambiance. The song had a significant influence on the Japanese hip hop, electronic, and jazz scenes.
Line by Line Meaning
Sorry love
Apologies for not being able to pursue a relationship
Sorry love
Reiterating apologies for not being able to be together
Sorry love
Another apology for the unattainable nature of the relationship
But it seems like it isn′t in the cards for us
Acknowledgment that the relationship is not meant to be
Meeting you is a blessing see
Reveals appreciation for being acquainted with the person
But, sorry, sweetheart we can never be
Reiterating that the two cannot have a romantic relationship
The little things you do be impressin' me
Expresses admiration for small actions by the other person
Still, baby girl, we can never be
Restating that they cannot pursue the relationship
You only want one night of ecstasy
Clarifying that the other person may only be interested in a brief physical encounter
Thanks but no thanks it can never be
Politely declining the potential physical encounter
′Cause I got a wife at home that I'm blessed to keep
Reveals the singer is married and committed to their spouse
And to fool around with you would be the death of me
Recognizes the potential dangerous consequences of engaging in infidelity
Can't have the ingredients to the recipe
Metaphor for not having necessary components for a successful relationship
′Cause it isn′t fair to you nor fair to me
Explanation that going forward would not benefit either person
And more importantly
Emphasizes the significance of the following statement
It sure isn't fair to her
Acknowledges negative impact on the artist's spouse
Guess we might′ve had chance before I married her
Reflecting on missed opportunity before being married
'Cause wifey is worth more than life to me
Expresses significance of the singer's spouse in their life
A soulmate
Describes the singer's spouse as their perfect partner
Who am I to control fate?
Questions their ability to alter the course of their life
′Cause somebody like you is much more than cut buddy
Recognizes the other person's value beyond just a physical relationship
But I can't give you all the things that you want from me
Admits inability to fulfill the other person's desires
We can′t be, we won't be
Reiterating that the two cannot pursue a romantic relationship
I know you think I′ll be the perfect man
Acknowledges the other person's high expectations
But it seems like the most I have ever pleased
Realization that they may not be able to meet the other person's standards
Sounds no better than my brotha man
Comparison to the singer's male friends or peers
Can't run around like Mr. Lover Man
Acknowledges flaws in their romantic abilities and behavior
Tryin′ to maintain
Seeking to sustain a committed relationship
Spend the rest of life with the same dame
Expresses desire to spend life with one person
Found the right one
Acknowledgement of recognizing the singer's ideal partner
Sounds like fun
Indicating pleasure in pursuing a monogamous relationship
But I ain′t this and that
Admission of being flawed and limited
'Cause if I lose her slim chance I′ll get her back
Recognizes the low probability of being able to reconcile with their spouse
This is real life
Acknowledges the reality of the situation
This ain't cinemax
Contrasts reality with the dramatic scenarios common in media
Tryin' get my little seats filled
Metaphor for seeking temporary physical gratification
People feelin′ packed
Metaphor indicating the singer's desire to be surrounded by other people
On these hardwood floors
Literal description of the physical setting
On this house we own
Indicates ownership of the house and the committed relationship
They get hot, we know
Referring to the difficulties that arise in a committed relationship
But it′s not for show
Acknowledging the real nature of the problems
Not that anything's the matter with you
Clarifying that nothing is wrong with the other person
But there′s no guarantee that I'm compatible with you
Acknowledge of potential romantic incompatibility
And I can′t make you into something you're not
Implying respect for the other person's authentic self
No need to look around for what I already got
Realization that they already have a committed partner
I ain′t tryin' to
Admission of not seeking to harm the other person
Waste your time, boo
Acknowledgement of the other person's time and priorities
I know you've been stepped on
Acknowledges the other person's previous negative experiences in relationships
And been lied to
Acknowledges the other person's previous negative experiences involving dishonesty
God bless the next man who′s lucky to find you
Wishing the other person well in future relationships
It′s hard to sever ties
Acknowledges the difficulties in ending the relationship
But, baby, I got to
Admission of needing to end the relationship
Uh, that's the way it is
Acceptance of the reality of the situation
I know you don′t know what to think of this
Acknowledgement of the other person's potential confusion
And I'm really sorry that it came to this
Expressing sorrow for the ending of the relationship
Feels like an end Let′s break this
Implying a desire to end the relationship
'Cause they say it′s easier that way
Acknowledgement of common wisdom about ending relationships
That's passe
Rejecting the idea of taking the easy way out
And it hurts like a bad date
Comparing the pain of ending the relationship to a bad date
And the pressure is enough to make a back break
Metaphor for the difficulty and pain of ending the relationship
But to lead you on would be mad fake
Acknowledges that misrepresenting their intentions would be dishonest
So do your thing, baby
Encouragement for the other person to move on
I'll do mine
Acknowledgement of the need for both to move on
Don′t worry ′bout me, girl
Assuring the other person that the artist will be okay
I'll be fine
Reiterating personal strength and ability to recover
This is all my fault
Taking responsibility for ending the relationship
I′m too kind
Suggesting that the singer may have been too soft in the relationship
And a decent human being's hard to find
Indicating that the artist is a good person but may not have been compatible with the other person
Writer(s): Nujabes, S.robinson
Contributed by Audrey O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@aurariansawa9911
you can feel Substantial's love for his wife in these lyrics, the man deserves more recognition than he receives for this one
@17-.
He's got such a pure message, mad respect for substantial
@rules763
Nujabes was way ahead of his time
@applemartiniNYC
Facts him and Dilla great loss 😢
@Monorisu97
Fr fr
@sonecatosco8392
Literalmente.
@Douglas2140
? jazz hiphop was already popular in the 2000s
@taka3634
@@Douglas2140not the point
@xneobloodchaosx7875
An eternal legend Nujabes
@skrrtzamboni
nujabes had a part in kicking off the lofi hiphop craze but still no one comes close. RIP Nujabes! Love Forever!!!