Hailed for his work in the celebrated anime Samurai Champloo, Nujabes was more than a typical Japanese producer. Alongside J Dilla, Nujabes essentially pioneered the lo-fi hip-hop genre and bolstered it to the musical prominence it has today.
Shall we let his work speak for itself? Here is a compilation of five songs that I believe best serve as an introduction to the creative maestro that is Nujabes, a brief snapshot into his extensive catalog.
Allow me to kick off this register with a track that never falls short of greatness. A highlight of Nujabes’ many hip-hop feats, “Feather (feat. Cise Starr & Akin from CYNE)” is unapologetically jazzy, flexible and introspective. In clever and well-streamed verses, Cise Starr and Akin speak of life’s stakes and contradictions, encouraging one to find self-enlightenment in spite of the corruption that runs rampant in the government and media, threatening to poison society. That may make the song seem incredibly pessimistic, but it is truly anything but. The tranquil loop of the piano is both catchy and soothing, adding a layer of escapism to the piece. This, combined with the rappers’ message of holding fast to one’s inner strength, makes the listening experience quite bittersweet.
I don’t mean to gatekeep, but I will never back down from the truth that one cannot call themselves a fan of Nujabes if they haven’t heard “Luv(sic.) pt3 (feat. Shing02).” This song is infinitely beautiful. Nujabes’ talents are each exhausted to their fullest potential here. The tune is silky and the leading instrumental unique, even for him. It seems to invoke an emotion that’s impossible to actualize in any other way, making it a great song for a lengthy walk. Behind soulful, fervent vocals, Nujabes paints a mural of nostalgia, sentimentality and compassion.
A brief interlude: If you’re looking for something lighter, yet more specific, Lady Brown (feat. Cise Starr & Akin from CYNE) is a good alternative. This track sustains these themes, but makes them much more modern and upbeat rather than introspective. It’s more of a love song, adjacent to an ode. The verses are both rhythmically and poetically stunning, so I would definitely recommend this one as well.
Nujabes’ most recognizable song is “aruarian dance,” and for good reason. A famed piece from his artistry in Samurai Champloo, Nujabes manages to capture a myriad of emotions without words, but rather between the mellow melodies of guitar and violin. Reader, I encourage you to play this song in full and draw your own interpretation (ideally sitting under a tree in good weather, reminiscing). One thing is for sure: There is something so natural and inherent to the human condition — to the fleeting quality of happiness, the solace of independence, the acceptance of hardship — that is so effortlessly conveyed through Nujabes’ virtuosity.
Now for the preeminent pick! My current favorite from Nujabes is “sanctuary ship.” With an instrumental akin to a victory horn, this track carries an air of triumph and determination that’s eagerly uplifting, which makes it definitely stand out among Nujabes’ other works. Pop in your earbuds on your way to class, and you’ll feel as if you’re the protagonist in an action video game. For the sake of reference, think Future’s “Mask Off” meets Kirby’s Return to Dreamland’s “C-R-O-W-N-E-D.” I started listening to this song as a ritual on my way to taekwondo practice at Helen Newman. Shoutout to the best taekwondo instructor ever, Han Cho!
Nujabes has truly made an astounding impact on modern music through his creative technique as a composer and producer. I hope that you listen to these great songs, and remember that lo-fi hip hop is more than music to study for your prelim — It’s an art!
Leah Badawi is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at lb779@cornell.edu.
