Jazzy Hip Hop, Meet Nujabes

Music is something that brings everyone together. Even if hip hop and jazz were created in the United States, it does not mean its music would stop there. One place it did reach was by a man in Japan that goes by the Nishi-Azabu or what most people know him as Nujabes. Nujabes was a DJ and hip hop producer who was really involved with underground hip hop scene. Just like how Kanye West caused a whole new wave of different background rappers to appear in the hip hop scene, Nujabes did the same for his style of work.

Nujabes

Nujabes was not a household name, he was an independent artist that made his own label production, Hydeout Productions. With his own label, he had all the freedom to create his own music which resulted in his first album called Metaphorical Music (2003). Although the album was not that big of a success, it did bring some attention. This mix of smooth jazz and hip hop led him to a collaboration with an anime studio to create music for their animated show, Samurai Champloo. His contributions to the anime would eventually lead him to bigger stage. What Nujabes does not know was that the anime show would be syndicated to the United States.  From that point on, he would become international, but only to some.

Metaphorical Music (2003)

My first taste of Nujabes was when I first watched Samurai Champloo on television. Yet, I did not get into him until I was in high school. If it was not for his music, high school would probably be a lot harder environment for me. The calming sound and soothing vibes helped me release all of the pressure of growing up. His sophomore album, Modal Soul (2005), was the album I listened to help me relieve those pressure. 

Album for Samurai Shamploo by Nujabes & Fat Jon

Nujabes did have one more album, but it was incomplete. In February 26, 2010, Nujabes died in a traffic accident. Even though his life would be short-lived, his music would have a ripple effect on the music industry. Artists began to use his jazzy hip hop style into their music. It may seem like a tragedy that the world lost someone gifted as Nujabes, but his aura resonates in the music his work has aspired and his legacy will still live on.

 Source(Inspiration): http://djbooth.net/news/entry/2016-02-29-nujabes-tribute