R.I.P. Nujabes (Feb. 19, 1974-Feb. 26, 2010)

Last week, March 18, Hydeout Productions released the shocking news that Japanese hip hop producer and DJ Seba Jun, better known by his stage name Nujabes, was killed in an auto accident in Tokyo last month. Anime viewers would likely be familiar with Nujabes' work from the Samurai Champloo soundtrack, which he contributed heavily to, playing a big part in matching the show's music with its hip hop-influenced visual style. While the month long delay in announcing the artist's passing may seem odd to many fans it's entirely consistent with Nujabes' personality, as he was an intensely private individual who shunned fame's spotlight. His service was, obviously, a small, private affair restricted only to friends and family.

Details of the auto accident that killed him are sparse, however, we do know that it happened late at night on an offramp from Tokyo's Shuto Expressway. Honestly, the details of his death don't matter so much as remembering fondly this legend of Japanese hip hop. I, for one, will never forget where I first heard Nujabes' music: a 2007 Winter Solstice party I attended while living in Japan. That went down as one of the best nights of my life and I can attribute a lot of that to his bold beats that made the mood at that bar flow. I highly recommend readers check out his albums Modal Soul and Metaphorical Music--they will astound you.
 
I'll end this the best way I know how: a bunch of crazy people running in slow-mo through the streets of Tokyo while Nujabes' "Luv pt. 2" plays in the background. Please share any memories you have about Nujabes and his music in the comments below.