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
The Final View
Nujabes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
spending only seconds in pure consciousness.
Yet the tears still drown my laughter.
To me the sweetest man in the world,
is a note Miles Davis Blues,
is a poem by Imamu,
is the song that some unknown brother gently
sang outside my window
The lyrics to Nujabes's "The Final View" offer a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the fleeting nature of life. The opening line, "I have traveled through an eternity, spending only seconds in pure consciousness," aptly captures the sense of timelessness that can sometimes accompany moments of deep reflection or introspection. Despite this, the singer still feels the weight of sorrow and grief, expressed in the lines "Yet the tears still drown my laughter."
The next lines of the song offer a more positive outlook, highlighting the small things that can bring joy and comfort in an often overwhelming world. The singer references Miles Davis and Imamu as sources of inspiration, as well as an unnamed musician whose song they overheard outside their window. Taken together, these elements suggest that beauty and solace can be found in unexpected places, and that even brief moments of connection or inspiration can have a profound impact on our lives.
Overall, "The Final View" is a song that invites introspection and reflection, challenging us to find meaning and beauty in the often chaotic and unpredictable world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
I have traveled through an eternity,
I have experienced a sense of timelessness, where time seems irrelevant and unbounded.
spending only seconds in pure consciousness.
During this time, I was able to achieve a state of pure awareness and deep reflection, despite only a few seconds passing in the external world.
Yet the tears still drown my laughter.
Despite these moments of clarity and profound connection to the universe, I still feel a profound sense of sadness and emotional pain that overtakes any joy or happiness I experience.
To me the sweetest man in the world,
In my opinion, the most beautiful and profound things in the world are not material objects or physical experiences, but rather artistic expressions that touch the soul.
is a note Miles Davis Blues,
For example, a single note played in a Miles Davis blues song can evoke a deep sense of emotion and beauty that transcends the limits of language.
is a poem by Imamu,
Similarly, a well-crafted poem by a talented writer can convey a sense of truth and wisdom that is unlike anything else.
is the song that some unknown brother gently sang outside my window
Even the simple melody sung by a stranger on the street can bring a sense of connection and comfort that reminds us of our shared humanity.
Contributed by Andrew J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-qx2rt4nh8s
What do you think about this lylic?
みんなはこの歌詞は何が言いたいんだと思いますか？
What the view do you see?
どんな景色が見えますか？
''I have traveled through eternity
Spending only seconds in pure consciousness
Yet the tears still drown my laughter
To me the sweetest man in the world
Is a note Miles Davis Blues
Is a poem by Imamu
Is the song that some unknown brother gently
Sang outside my window''
@1eon1acerda
I was choosing a random movie to watch on TV at my girlfriends house, until we find Spartacus (1960).
While watching, that instrument that sounds like a clarinet starts to play and i feel the sinapses of my brain twitch.
The feeling "i know this" hit so strong, that when i got home i just keep searching nujabes songs until i find this one.
Satisfaction.
@charlieg2262
Yeah Nujabes sampled Yusef Lateef’s Love Theme from Spartacus - I just discovered this song from that!
@bobtornton1436
same here !
@YatsuraHeadOn
Lol same vibe 5 minutes ago on spotify called "Come with me" by Engelwood (great song btw) started playing and I was like dude I know this is a Nujabes song I used to love when I was a kid but which one glad I found it quick
@ddppvv305
same here my friend. Saw the movie at easters this year. The music hit my brain so hard. I couldn't resist to search in yt
@V14.official
Its an oboe
@lastofsodom
My life has always felt incomplete, lonely, like an outcast, but when I listen to Nujabes, it feels like I have a perfect life with not a single flaw..
This song is proof that timelessness is simple.
Long live nujabes, the virtuoso. <3
@feredox6655
it's so weird, im sure it's not the same, but it seems like the same way i feel. i hope youre okay, keep your head up goat.
@theoreticalphysics3644
Was watching Spartacus not so long after watching samurai champloo and then immediately recognized this as both nujabes and a jazz piece i had heard before. I love being able to recognize samples in old media they become super cool easter eggs.
I've never felt so cultured lol
@pip9667
thats a cool skill tbh, id love to be able to do that one day