Jun Seba aka Nujabes, Rest In Peace - 2010 'til inifinity

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.

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真に信じ難いニュースですが、ヒップホップ・プロデューサーのNujabes（ヌジャベス）氏が二月末、亡くなったことをお知らせします。彼が主催であったHydeout Productions からの正式な声明はこちらです。
http://hydeout.net/hydeout/2010/03/_hydeoutproductions.html

奇しくも前から暖めていた新しいレコーディングを始めようと話し合っていたところでした。最近では、１月にLAで彼のファンだったビートボクサーのジェフ君が亡くなった時に追悼の意を貰ったばかりで、先週もNujabesの家の近くを通りかかって家にいるだろうかと電話をしたところです。

Nujabesとは2000年頃出会い、Luv(sic) シリーズやBattlecryなどの楽曲は日本のみならず、海外でもジャンルを越えて多くの人に愛されて来ました。それはアメリカやヨーロッパのライブや街角でも実感してきたことで、今でも世界中の若いリスナーが彼の音を発見して、聞き続けていることに驚くばかりでした。「ヌジャベス」と言う名前は一人歩きするほど、名実共に国際的にポピュラーな現象だったと言えます。

今後はNujabesの親しい仲間と共に、一緒に始めたことを終わらせること、彼の遺した音楽を伝えて行くこと、できることを一歩ずつやっていくしか考えられません。ご親族の意向から、故人のプライベートを尊重しつつ、アーティストとしての活動を讃えることがいちばんの答えだと考えています。

セバジュン aka Nujabes、良い音楽と思い出をありがとう、また会おう。

Nujabesに一言捧げたい方は、こちらからお願いします。
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