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
Thank You
Nujabes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
just got to get into the air, then off the ground can't wait but kind of scared
to float among the clouds, suspended 12 rounds(?) but I'm bound for destiny
saving grace from insanity but chose to flow.....(?)sounds good to me
coach class after my birthday pass blast off for unknown territory que sera
Whatever I suggest, I'm the distinguished guest, I'm blessed any wishes, last minute requests?
Quench my needs, it's almost unreal all the things I'm seeing
makes me appreciate all God's human beings
I just want to state
I thank you all for showing love to me
I appreciate this unique opportunity
I'm gonna rock so hard so you never stop supporting me
I'm gonna show you how music brings more meaning to life
[X2]
It's an intimidating task, flipping the craps, making magic over and over
I take a stab at it as a ritual, Predicting to the operation(?) the attraction is spiritual
rap is habitual have me feeling higher than a sentinel, damn I'm strong on it, who would have thunk it
that when i first begun it for fun,writing rhymes to stack em' one by one, now I'm iller than radiation
I'm gonna keep spittin(?) til' I'm cremated, reincarnated then became my name at the top keeping focused like a spotlight
staying up all night writing rhymes by starlight, real deep with it,
20,000 leagues beneath the hype, I'm impotent, intimate, same with life, twists and turns, perks and achievements
I can't hold back what I'm speaking because it needs to be heard, I know I have power so I use it to infuse my words
I thank you all for showing love to me
I appreciate this unique opportunity
I'm gonna rock so hard so you never stop supporting me
I'm gonna show you how music brings more meaning to life
I thank the fans for showing love to to me
and I respect the fact that you always keep it real with me(?)
It keeps me sensitive when I....(?)
The desire for my insight gives me reason to write
I still can't believe it I'm stunned
land of the rising sun, here I come
I'm here, next stop lower eastern hemisphere
hip hop's hot all around the globe
witness culture unfold before me
absorb it in and write the story, corny as it sounds it makes me want to cry
I was born chosen to live this life, one soul(?)
worlds to explore I'm going down undercover me fans up on top under me(?)
trainers(?) love me I get my own stage, feel the sound brutality
I'm 1000 miles away so things a rhyme can't say let me start from the heart and sincerely state
Thank You
I thank you all for showing love to me
I appreciate this unique opportunity
I'm gonna rock so hard so you never stop supporting me
I'm gonna show you how music brings more meaning to life
I thank the fans for showing love to to me
and I respect the fact that you always keep it real with me(?)
It keeps me sensitive when I....(?)
The desire for my insight gives me reason to write
I thank you all for showing love to me
you make this journey something that i hold close to me
I see hip hop as a global community
It makes sense that music brings more meaning to life
I thank you all for showing love to me
The lyrics of Nujabes's song "Thank You" express gratitude towards his fans for their support during his journey as a hip-hop artist. In the opening lines, he reflects on his current location, almost reaching Japan but still not quite there yet. He mentions his anticipation and fear of flying among the clouds. However, he views this journey as part of his destiny and saving grace from insanity. He values the unique opportunity that his fans have given him and wants to show how music can bring more meaning to life.
Nujabes also reflects on his journey as an artist, describing it as an intimidating task to create "magic over and over." Through his dedication and hard work, he became more passionate about his craft and found success. He expresses his desire to continue spitting rhymes until he's cremated and reincarnated.
The lyrics constantly circle back to his appreciation towards his fans for keeping it real with him and showing love. He recognizes that hip hop is a global community that brings people together, and he values music's power to infuse his words with meaning. Overall, the lyrics of "Thank You" express gratitude towards fans for their support and highlight the importance of music in bringing more meaning to life.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been a long time coming and I'm still not there almost to Japan
I have been striving towards my dreams for a long time, and although I am almost there, I am not quite there yet.
just got to get into the air, then off the ground can't wait but kind of scared
to float among the clouds, suspended 12 rounds(?) but I'm bound for destiny
I am excited to take off and pursue my destiny, but I am also a bit scared of the unknown journey ahead of me.
saving grace from insanity but chose to flow.....(?)sounds good to me
Music has been a saving grace for me and has kept me from going insane. It feels good to just let myself flow with the music.
Whatever I suggest, I'm the distinguished guest, I'm blessed any wishes, last minute requests?
Quench my needs, it's almost unreal all the things I'm seeing
As a successful musician, I am grateful for all the opportunities that come my way. It feels unreal to see all the things that have come from my hard work.
makes me appreciate all God's human beings
in a special way, some things that a rhyme can't say, let me start from the heart
I just want to state
Being able to travel the world and connect with people through music has made me appreciate all human beings in a special way that words cannot fully express. I want to express my gratitude from the bottom of my heart.
It's an intimidating task, flipping the craps, making magic over and over
I take a stab at it as a ritual, Predicting to the operation(?) the attraction is spiritual
Creating music can be a daunting task, but it is also magical. I approach it almost like a spiritual ritual, hoping for success with each attempt.
I'm gonna show you how music brings more meaning to life
I believe that music has the power to bring more meaning to life, and I hope to demonstrate that through my music.
I see hip hop as a global community
In my travels and experiences as a musician, I have come to see hip hop as a global community that transcends borders and boundaries.
Contributed by Aiden D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@hugo96949
FAVE SONG OF THE ALBUM!!! Have listened to this for years, memories of riding on the bus back from school and hearing this as I watched the buildings and other cars… good times.
@TooLazyToHoop
Yo a real one
@ea5e95
Hard to listen to it without intricately analysing your own existence...RIP Nujabes 🕊️ whips single tear*
@Hierophant_Bean
yo im doing that rn lmao
@88sfuneral
She killed this song. I love this album. Nujabes always takes me to a better time and place. Thank you Nujabes. Rest easy.
@bryanachzet1886
Need more female rappers.
@vegasvanga5442
based
@Monorisu97
frfr
@MisatoKatsuragiHD
Thank you Nujabes for the beautiful music ❤
@bobobob1230
Blessings to anyone listening in 23 ❤