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
Latitude -Remix
Nujabes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't look any further while your vision is clear
A lotta fog in the mist tryin to throw you a curve
All these rappin thugs gettin′ on my last damn nerve
You eat the same piece of cake day in and day out
That tired ass flavor gets played out (no doubt)
You say that tag along warning to a rhyme for the rest
When we rock all the people say "yessuh"
The scratch, you know the wickywicky words to match
You still playing catch-up, fall far behind the line
Trying to cut, but you wasting your time please, come on dude
We the Five Deez, superior rhyme steez, don't have our own style
We got styles plural, you still caught up in yesterday
Steppin′ and fetchin, gettin′ swept away
Futuristic black holdin' mics like soldiers hold weapons
On the attack I′m reppin',
Cincinatti′s finest no question (give me five)
Now you say Queens City
Throw your hands up in the sky
Wave around from side to side
We about to get fly
Roll my glock over on a sucker who's locomotive
I′m moving in like the ocean, devotion within my rhymes
Same year, last time committed crimes like a felon
Three fifty seven lyrics can bust you up like melons
They ending when I'm dealin at five hundred decibles
I'm yellin "Five Deez" tellin
Cities and countries before me (say what?)
I′m lucky, these other cats bore me, cold and plastic
I turn the crowd into elastic, I′m stretchin' them to the left
And get pulled to the right
Like a periscope, seeing over normal eyesight
I rock all night, so you can roll through the day
Feelin′ the rhythm (to hear my rhymes in delay)
I give 'em what is needed while you just form what they want
Who gonna get jumped, chump? Crunk brothas
Bounce to my jams like blubba, we doin′ it for lovas
While you suckled with the hatas, on the crossfada
And you say Queens city
Hey, you can call me on your mobile phone
Or grab a pen and a sheet of paper and write a letter at your home
You can download my music off an internet site
Or you could be mixtapin' it, we′ll still be creatin' it
You could have a compact disc, with vinyl gratin' it
Vibrations, be still, and keep the vibe waitin′
A watcher or a reader, a loner or a leader
You could be the one that make the party cold or make it heat up
(Make the beats heat up)
Bust slow to my motion,
From the highest mountain to the bottom of the ocean
You want it? Final attack, get attacked on DAT
′Cause and effect, it's because we wreck
There′s no flaws to detect
So don't pause the deck
Local or international, took galactic respect
You could fall from the pressure
Or could you take the weight
(And rhythmic break)
And you say Queens city...
In Nujabes's "Latitude -Remix", the rapper and producer work together to create a lyrically and musically intricate track. In the first verse, the singer challenges listeners who are looking for something fresh and innovative in the rap scene. They criticize tired and cliched themes and call for a fresh approach, which they claim their group, the Five Deez, has. The singer uses analogies to emphasize their own originality and talent, comparing themselves to soldiers holding weapons and calling out the "miggy-figgy-niggies" who can't match their rhyming or DJ skills. The second verse is more personal, with the singer establishing their own commitment and skill as a lyricist. They describe their devotion to their craft and the power of their rhyming ability, which can "bust you up like melons." They go on to challenge their listeners to take action and participate in the culture, whether by downloading the music or making the party heat up.
The lyrics of "Latitude -Remix" reflect the complexity and artistry of Nujabes's music. The track features a complex and eclectic mix of sounds, with layered strings, reverb drums, and a bouncing melody that switches between flute-like sounds and a more driving beat. The track, like much of Nujabes's music, blends hip-hop beats and jazz samples, resulting in a unique and innovative sound. In terms of the lyrics, "Latitude -Remix" speaks to the struggles and strengths of independent rap artists, who challenge their listeners to look beyond commercial appeal and to appreciate the craft and creativity of rhyming and producing.
Line by Line Meaning
What side you on, you want alive? It′s right here
Don't waste time searching for what you want, it's already in front of you.
Don't look any further while your vision is clear
When you know what you want, focus on it and don't let distractions cloud your vision.
A lotta fog in the mist tryin to throw you a curve
There will be challenges and obstacles that try to misguide you from achieving your goals.
All these rappin thugs gettin′ on my last damn nerve
The rapper is tired of hearing and dealing with fake or inauthentic rappers.
You eat the same piece of cake day in and day out
Don't limit yourself to the same experiences or routine, try new things and explore.
That tired ass flavor gets played out (no doubt)
When repetitive things lose their novelty, they become tedious instead of enjoyable.
You say that tag along warning to a rhyme for the rest
The rapper's lyrics have a significant impact and add to the song's quality, unlike others that fall short.
When we rock all the people say "yessuh"
The audience responds positively and energetically to the rapper's performances.
We fresher than alla' these miggy-figgy-niggies on the mic
The rapper is emphasizing their ability and talent in comparison to lesser skilled rappers.
The scratch, you know the wickywicky words to match
The rapper's scratching technique and rhyming ability complement each other perfectly.
You still playing catch-up, fall far behind the line
Attempting to imitate and copy others often results in lagging behind/a lack of originality and creativity.
Trying to cut, but you wasting your time please, come on dude
Trying to compete with the rapper results in wasted effort and time, since they are unreachable and unmatched.
We the Five Deez, superior rhyme steez, don't have our own style
The Five Deez have multiple styles that they can infuse in their performances that set them apart and make them unique.
We got styles plural, you still caught up in yesterday
The rapper has a vast array of styles to choose from, unlike others who stick to one style and are unable to progress.
Steppin′ and fetchin, gettin′ swept away
Those who don't evolve and remain stagnant will likely become displaced and irrelevant.
Futuristic black holdin' mics like soldiers hold weapons
The rapper sees themselves as powerful and influential when handling a microphone.
On the attack I′m reppin', Cincinatti′s finest no question (give me five)
The rapper represents Cincinnati with pride and confidence, and is considered one of its most talented musicians.
Now you say Queens City
The audience is invited to chant along and celebrate Cincinnati.
Roll my glock over on a sucker who's locomotive
The rapper is ready to take down anyone who tries to come after them aggressively.
I′m moving in like the ocean, devotion within my rhymes
The rapper's rhythm and lyrical flow resemble the mysteries and power of the ocean.
Same year, last time committed crimes like a felon
The rapper is reflecting on their darker past and how they have improved since then.
Three fifty seven lyrics can bust you up like melons
The rapper's lyrics are powerful and impactful, and can have destructive effects on their enemies, much like bullets from a 357 Magnum.
They ending when I'm dealin at five hundred decibles
The rapper's performances are so intense that they can make one's ears hurt, as their voice can reach very high volumes (500+ decibels).
I'm yellin "Five Deez" tellin Cities and countries before me (say what?)
The rapper is beseeching their audience to say the name of their group (Five Deez) and represent all the places they come from.
I′m lucky, these other cats bore me, cold and plastic
The rapper considers other rappers to be dull and artificial, and themselves fortunate to not be like them.
I turn the crowd into elastic, I′m stretchin' them to the left And get pulled to the right
The rapper understands the importance of dynamism in their performances, and this particular line describes how they bend their audience's enthusiasm left and right.
Like a periscope, seeing over normal eyesight
The rapper has developed a keen sense of perception that allows them to see beyond what most people typically can.
I rock all night, so you can roll through the day
The rapper's music influences and energizes their listeners until the early hours of the morning.
Feelin′ the rhythm (to hear my rhymes in delay)
The rapper encourages their audience to feel the music's rhythm along with the delay that their headphones can cause.
I give 'em what is needed while you just form what they want
The rapper provides their followers what they require, whereas other rappers cater to the audience's expectations.
Who gonna get jumped, chump? Crunk brothas
The rapper dares anyone to confront them, knowing full well that only inferior rappers would resort to this.
Bounce to my jams like blubba, we doin′ it for lovas
The rapper's music is meant to be enjoyed by people who love their craft.
While you suckled with the hatas, on the crossfada
While other rappers interact with their haters on social media, the rapper values their time and talent too much to engage in such an activity.
And you say Queens city
The audience is reminded once more to appreciate and take part in the celebration of Cincinnati.
Hey, you can call me on your mobile phone
The rapper provides many options for their followers to listen to their music, one of which is calling them on their mobile phone.
Or grab a pen and a sheet of paper and write a letter at your home
Another option is to write a letter expressing one's appreciation for the rapper's music.
You can download my music off an internet site
Another way to access the rapper's music is to download it online.
Or you could be mixtapin' it, we′ll still be creatin' it
Even if their listeners mix their songs with other artists' music, the rapper will still be making new music.
You could have a compact disc, with vinyl gratin' it
Listeners can enjoy the rapper's music on physically produced formats such as compact discs or vinyl records.
Vibrations, be still, and keep the vibe waitin′
The audience needs to wait patiently for the strong and euphoric impact of the rapper's music vibrations.
A watcher or a reader, a loner or a leader
The rapper appeals to multiple personality types - those who like visuals, books, being alone or leading others.
You could be the one that make the party cold or make it heat up
The audience has the power to influence the party's mood, either negatively or positively.
(Make the beats heat up)
The rapper further emphasizes their desire for the audience to heat things up with their music.
Bust slow to my motion, From the highest mountain to the bottom of the ocean
The rapper's verses and rhythm can fit into any beat and scenario - be it on top of a mountain or at the bottom of the sea.
You want it? Final attack, get attacked on DAT
The rapper is daring anyone to challenge and attack them through the medium of DAT tapes.
′Cause and effect, it's because we wreck
The reason they are disruptive and successful is due to the cause and effect relationship of their skills.
There's no flaws to detect
The rapper is so skilled that no one can find any flaws in their music or their performance.
So don't pause the deck
The rapper encourages the DJs to keep playing their music without interruption.
Local or international, took galactic respect
The rapper commands respect locally, nationally and even outside of the planet Earth.
You could fall from the pressure Or could you take the weight
The audience can buckle under the pressure of the rapper's talent, or they can embrace it and enjoy it.
(And rhythmic break)
The rapper has a brief interlude between the verses before restarting the rhythm in the next stanza.
And you say Queens city...
The rapper reiterates the significance of the Cincinnati vibe and spirit, invoking it in the audience one final time.
Writer(s): Jon E Marshall
Contributed by Colton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Isaac
wtf this is deep, made me rethink my whole life im a new man now