Nujabes

Jun Seba aka Nujabes (new-jah-behz, which is his real name backwards) is a Japanese hip-hop music producer. He is known for cool jazz influence, often using samples from artists like Miles Davis. In addition to collaborating with Japanese artists he has also worked with Americans such as Five Deez, Fat Jon, and Cyne. Unfortunately, Nujabes passed away on February 26, 2010 after being involved in a serious car accident in Tokyo.

In my opinion, Nujabes might be on of the best producers of my generation. Most of the music he makes incorporates a jazz sound which blends with the artists featured in his music. Here is a sample of the lyrics Nujabes and Shing02 came up with in the song "Love Sic"

"Lovesick like a dog with canine sensitivity
Developing this new theory of relativity
Connecting our souls resting in captivity
Positive live sacrifice what it is to me
Our history, only a quarter of a century
Reality, sitting on the shoulder of out chemistry
See ain't no mystery, the colors that we mix will set the mind free
Let the blind see beyond harmony"

The only way to have a clear understanding of how Nujabes sounds is to take a listen for yourself. If there is one artist on this blog that I would recommend you listen to it would be Nujabes. Check out Feather before you miss out on great music.

Let me know if you feel the same way about Nujabes.

Larue

Larue has done numerous shows on the west coast with names such as Mr. Lif, Del the Funky Homosapien, and Souls of Mischeif. His style has been quoted to be, "Grown and Sexy but Gutter". He has a west coast flow with lyrics about life and his past experiences during the 8 years he spend in the U.S. Army. Two good examples of this are the songs Rise Up and I'm A Soldier. Larue has the rare ability to paint a picture with words, which you will notice on your first listen.

Check out Larue and his new video for Not Like Me off his latest album, "Saturn Returns". It was directed by Terrance Creighton and features himself with cameos from Marcus D, Rising Son, and John Crown.

Salim

Salim (Saleem) was born and bred in Baltimore and has opened for groups such as Talib Kweli, KRS1, Rakim, Slick Rick, Wu-Tang, Little Brother, and De la Soul. Saleem says he is influenced by Public Enemy, The Roots, and even Stevie Wonder. Salim's objective is "Bringing a balance back to hip hop" which he has accomplished through his music. He mainly preforms in the Baltimore/D.C. area and his fan base is growing.

I learned about Salim during a De La Soul concert at The Rams Head in Baltimore last summer. He was the opening act at this concert and made more then an impression. He rocked 4 songs and genuinely seemed happy to be there. After his session was over, he set up a post where fans could meet him and purchase a record. I personally talked with Salim and he thanked me for not only supporting him, but for supporting hip-hop. He was very please to see the support the crowd gave him, as people were chanting his name during other sub-par performance's.

One of the main reasons I like Salim's music is because he has a real feel about him. He is not rapping about fame and money, but rather where hip hop has been and where it is going. He even has songs about the present day. He has a refreshing flow to all of his songs that can't be ignored. There is a reason he has been described at the "embodiment of hip hop's evolution" and you should check him out for yourself.

Here is a live sample of what Salim is about, from his newest record, "Live Free or Die Trying". I also urge you to listen to "Hood Rich" and "I EMCEE" from his first album, "Hip Hop Revisited". Let me know what you think.