Reviewed!: Nujabes

Reviewed!: Nujabes

Yes, this is a far cry from what I normally do, but man when it links up for the site content I`ll be happy (it does in the end).

So, here goes:

When I used to think about hip hop, it sent chills down my spine. All I could picture was this

bonus points for video game picture? No, everyone lost when that came out.

Then I found out about something amazing, namely this guy

Bearded Turntable style!!!?

and this kind of hip hop

Welcome to Japan as it were, or at least my favorite part of it in music. Hydeout Productions is the label, Nujabes is the artist (who coincidentally also owned and ran Hydeout). When you look through the catalogue it mainly reads like he couldn't find a label to carry him, so he made his own. Then he found a few people along the way that were similar to him musically, and decided to help them out.

The first song is and artist by the name of Jemapur, The second is Kenmochi Hidefumi

They even branched  into the US with this guy.

This is Emancipator

The big thing that got me in all of this (with Nujabes at least) is a) the amazing quality of their lyrics (there are some that are meh but they at least try) and b) the jazz sampling. It was tastefully done and amazing overall, and a lot of it is so mellow and relaxing i kind just want to curl up and go unconscious when i listen to it.

There are of course exceptions to this though, but they`re just as good so i don`t hold it against him. Realistically there's only one album that isn't worth listening to out of everything he`s done, which is impressive to me really (ristorante mixtape side b is the only black mark here).

Now how does this pertain to geekery? In the most hilarious way imaginable.

You see I found out about this guy and label from a cartoon. Anime to be more specific. I`ll give you three songs to figure out which one.

One.

Two.

Three.

If you don`t know it by now I understand, it probably means anime isn`t something you`re into, and that`s A-ok with me. If you are into anime and haven`t seen it though I would also understand just because of how much of it exists and the range it covers, but I would be a bit surprised.

This is the answer, just in case.

The main point Samurai Champloo has going for it (or against it depending on your view I suppose) is that it`s the most light-hearted cartoon that`s been made by Shinichiro Watanabe. Cowboy Bebop has its moments but ends so depressing it can cause physical pain, and macross plus was good but tragic. This on the other hand goes in the opposite direction, making the depressing bits the exception to the fairly goofy rule. It was really well written, and Nujabes provided most (and was involved in the entire) soundtrack for the series. So when hunting for the music I ended up stumbling across the rest of the music, and got instantly stuck on it. The worst part about this is all that`s out is all that`s coming from him (he passed away after a car accident), at this point the hope being the rest of the people he worked with will keep going. I know at least emancipator has put out a second album, which is a good start, but here's to hoping the rest of them don`t just fade into obscurity.

Being said by the current epitome of obscurity (26b-3)

I know not all Hip Hop or rap has been this for a while, and the older stuff was good, the problem is I grew up mainly with the goddawful "Gangsta/lookatmymillions" phase, which has no redeeming qualities. Good rap was on its way out by the time I hit junior high, probably before then.

Bask in the new face of rap and hip hop circa 98-2005

outside of that, it's getting to a better point now. So yes there's hope yet. He just did it sooner, and with damn style

Do I end this with R.I.P? I dunno the protocol there

Ta for now