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
ordinary joe
Nujabes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I might try to indicate my state of mind.
Turn you on,
and tell you that I'm laughing just to keep from crying
Bringing music when you hear it,
Keep on trying to get near it.
A little rhythm for your spirit
Oh but that's what it's for
And I've seen a sparrow get high
Wasting time in the sky
He thinks it's easy to fly
He's just a little bit freer than I
Down here on the ground
When you find folks are giving you the runaround
Get your game uptight
And if you must just take your secrets underground
Politicians try to speech you
Mad colour watchers try to teach you
Very few will really try to reach you
If you're lost in the stack
That's OK, come on back
Now I'd be the last to deny
That I'm just an average guy
Each little bird in the sky
Is just a little bit freer than I
Say, ordinary Joe
Although they say you're just a lazy so-and-so
What they think is real
Is nothing but an animated puppet show
So don't let time and space confuse you
And don't let name and form abuse you
Well let Big Joe Williams blues you
In the light of the sun you can see how they run
Oh I've seen a sparrow get high
Wasting time in the sky
He thinks it's easy to fly
He's just a little bit freer than I
In "Ordinary Joe," Nujabes uses imagery to convey his feelings of being an average guy. The opening lines of the song represent his attempt to communicate his mental and emotional state. By saying that he's "laughing just to keep from crying," he conveys that he's trying to put on a brave face despite feeling overwhelmed. The line "bringing music when you hear it" implies that music is the remedy for his muddled thoughts. He encourages the listener to keep trying to get closer to music because it provides the rhythm that uplifts the spirit.
Nujabes then compares himself to a sparrow, a bird that flies freely in the sky without any worries. He admires the bird's carefree life, but knows that he's bound to the ground with his earthly problems. He advises the listener to overcome their struggles and take their secrets underground, figuratively meaning that they should handle their problems away from the scrutiny of others. He then criticizes politicians and color watchers for not trying hard enough to reach those who are struggling. He says that it's okay to lose your way but encourages the listener to come back when they're ready.
Line by Line Meaning
And for my opening line
I might try to indicate my state of mind.
Starting off a conversation, I may express how I am feeling.
Turn you on,
and tell you that I'm laughing just to keep from crying
I may try to uplift you by making you laugh, but in reality, I'm doing it to cover up my sadness.
Bringing music when you hear it,
Keep on trying to get near it.
A little rhythm for your spirit
Oh but that's what it's for
Come on in, here's the door
When you hear music, it has a way of reaching your soul. I try to bring that kind of joy to people by providing a little rhythm. The purpose of music is to uplift you, and I welcome you to partake in it.
And I've seen a sparrow get high
Wasting time in the sky
He thinks it's easy to fly
He's just a little bit freer than I
I've observed a sparrow soaring in the sky, seemingly aimlessly, but in reality, that was his freedom. He thinks flying is easy, but really he has a freedom that I don't.
Down here on the ground
When you find folks are giving you the runaround
Get your game uptight
And if you must just take your secrets underground
When others try to deceive you, you should be firm and keep your guard up. And if you must, keep your secrets to yourself.
Politicians try to speech you
Mad colour watchers try to teach you
Very few will really try to reach you
If you're lost in the stack
That's OK, come on back
Politicians try to influence you with their speeches, and others may try to educate you, but few will really be invested in helping you. If you feel lost, it's okay to return to where you started.
Now I'd be the last to deny
That I'm just an average guy
Each little bird in the sky
Is just a little bit freer than I
I'm not special, just an ordinary person. Each bird in the sky is more free than I am.
Say, ordinary Joe
Although they say you're just a lazy so-and-so
What they think is real
Is nothing but an animated puppet show
Ordinary Joe, even though people may call you lazy, what they see as real is just a show like a puppet performance.
So don't let time and space confuse you
And don't let name and form abuse you
Well let Big Joe Williams blues you
In the light of the sun you can see how they run
Don't be distracted by the limitations of time and space, or by labels and appearances. Let the music of Big Joe Williams provide comfort. Only in daylight can you see how things truly are.
Oh I've seen a sparrow get high
Wasting time in the sky
He thinks it's easy to fly
He's just a little bit freer than I
Again, I've seen a sparrow floating in the sky, seeming weightless and unburdened, enviable freedom that I can't attain.
Contributed by Victoria D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@taqdeerwala9547
Song lyrics
For my openin' line
I might try to indicate my state of mind
Or turn you on
And tell you that I'm laughin'
Just to keep from cryin'
Pretty music, when you hear it
Keep on tryin' to get near it
A little rhythm for your spirit
But that's what it's for
C'mon in here's the door
I've seen a sparrow get high
And waste his time in the sky
He thinks it's easy to fly
He's just little bit freer than I
Now here's a mystery
Maybe you can help to make it clear to me
When you're fast asleep
Then what is it that's lightin' up the dreams you see
All your tears can't conceal it
All your prayers may not reveal it
You got soul so you can feel it
And when you make the scene
Then you'll know what I mean
Now I've seen a sparrow get high
And waste his time in the sky
He thinks it's easy to fly
He's just little bit freer than I
Down here on the ground
When you fine folks are givin' you the run-arround
Keep your game up up-tight
And if you must just take your secrets underground
Jack the rapper will try to speech you
Mad color watchers will try to teach you
Very few will really try to reach you
You get lost in the flack
But that's ok come on back
Now I'd be the last to deny
That I'm just an average guy
And each little bird in the sky
Is just a little bit freer than I
So Ordinary Joe, although they say you're just a lazy so and so
What they think is real
Ain't nothing but an animated puppet show
So don't let time and space confuse you
And don't let name and form abuse you
Let Big Joe Williams blues you
In the light of the sun you can see how they run
I've seen a sparrow get high
And waste his time in the sky
Now don't you know he thinks it's easy to fly
He's just little bit freer than I
@teru36
For my openin' line
I might try to indicate my state of mind
Or turn you on
And tell you that I'm laughin'
Just to keep from cryin'
Pretty music, when you hear it
Keep on tryin' to get near it
A little rhythm for your spirit
But that's what it's for
C'mon in here's the door
I've seen a sparrow get high
And waste his time in the sky
He thinks it's easy to fly
He's just little bit freer than I
Now here's a mystery
Maybe you can help to make it clear to me
When you're fast asleep
Then what is it that's lightin' up the dreams you see
All your tears can't conceal it
All your prayers may not reveal it
You got soul so you can feel it
And when you make the scene
Then you'll know what I mean
Now I've seen a sparrow get high
And waste his time in the sky
He thinks it's easy to fly
He's just little bit freer than I
Down here on the ground
When you fine folks are givin' you the run-arround
Keep your game up up-tight
And if you must just take your secrets underground
Jack the rapper will try to speech you
Mad color watchers will try to teach you
Very few will really try to reach you
You get lost in the flack
But that's ok come on back
Now I'd be the last to deny
That I'm just an average guy
And each little bird in the sky
Is just a little bit freer than I
So Ordinary Joe, although they say you're just a lazy so and so
What they think is real
Ain't nothing but an animated puppet show
So don't let time and space confuse you
And don't let name and form abuse you
Let Big Joe Williams blues you
In the light of the sun you can see how they run
I've seen a sparrow get high
And waste his time in the sky
Now don't you know he thinks it's easy to fly
He's just little bit freer than I
@tepe8985
And for my opening line
I'm not trying to indicate my state of mind.
I turn you on,
I tell you that I'm laughing just to keep from crying
Pretty music when you hear it,
Keep on trying to get near it.
A little rhythm for your spirit
Oh but that's what it's for
Come on in, here's the door
And I've seen a sparrow get high
And waste his time in the sky
He thinks it's easy to fly
He's just a little bit freer than I
Now here's a mystery
And maybe you can help to make it clear to me
When you're fast asleep
Then what is it that's lighting up the dreams you see
Only your tears can't conceal it
And only your prayers may not reveal it
You've got soul so you can feel it
And when you make the scene
Well you know what I mean
Hey, I've seen a sparrow get high
And waste his time in the sky
He thinks it's easy to fly
He's just a little bit freer than I
Down here on the ground
When you find folks are giving you the runaround
Keep your game uptight
And if you must just take your secrets underground
Now politicians are trying to speech you
Mad color watchers are trying to teach you
Very few will really try to reach you
If you're lost in a stack
That's OK, come all black
Now I'd be the last to deny
That I'm just an average guy
And don't you know each little bird in the sky
Is just a little bit freer than I
Hey ordinary Joe
Although they say you're just a lazy so-and-so
What they think is real
Is nothing but an animated puppet show
So don't let time and space confuse you
And don't let name and form abuse you
Let that Big Joe Williams blues you
In the light of the sun you can see how they burn
Oh I've seen a sparrow get high
And waste his time in the sky
He thinks it's easy to fly
He's just a little bit freer than i
@heinrichharkonen2084
I can't but wonder what wonderful songs Nujabes would've composed if he was still around
@j.antonio620
Un crosover entre entre Kendrick y Nujabes hubiera estado increíble jaja
@jamesalphonse1099
Same here. It's amazing that he has so much music out there though anyways, you always have something to listen to that sounds fresh.
@goonievisuals6895
Some of his last work is on Haruka Nakamura album called Melodica👍🏼
@whisperware
I think about this often. I'm so sad I can't have my mind melted in new ways by this guy.
@lovethegodme
Prolly would’ve collab with andre 3000
@krabbble
This song has such a beautiful and wholesome upbeat feel to it. Terry sings so softly over that beat, which has that classic Nujabes sound. I’ve yet to find a song that can instantly get me to smile like this one does. Thank you Jun 🤍
@ThatStupidSodaJerk
You ain't lying. The beat makes me wanna kung fu fight but the lyrics and his voice brings me peace I can't describe it
@melofox._
Rest in Peace, both Nujabes and Terry Callier. Thank you for both of your music! 😌🙏🩷
@juancanekortegasanchez7961
the absolutely best album ever, thank you nujabes