This track is a dedication to the late Nujabes, a hugely talented Japanese producer, DJ and businessman. Nujabes was initially responsible for my visits to Japan in the late 90's and we worked together in the studio on a series of tracks that would later be released and become classics within the Japanese hip-hop scene. On this track I’m just telling the story of how we both came to know and work with each other and the experiences we shared together. The story leads right up until the tribute show in Tokyo in August 2010 where I performed to a sold out venue some of the many tracks that Nujabes and I recorded together. I chose the samples for this tribute very carefully so to be as fitting to the mood of bringing the appropriate feelings out in this song.
lyrics
Scratch Intro / Big up my man Nujabes [x4] / Verse One / Chilling in my bedroom it’s morning, I’ve not long woke up / heard a ring, ring so I picked my telephone up / Who’s this? “Sebajun”, who? “Call me Nujabes” / “Looking for a rapper for my beats” / “thinking you the best choice from the UK” / “do you have an email?” / “I’mma send a couple of my beats and some details” / “Want you here in Tokyo” / “get you in the studio” / “Got you on the airfare”, bank wire sent the doe / June 10th, 1999 at the airport / first time to Japan so I had to clear my thoughts / ready for the lyrical assault / that’s when I get the beat from Nujabes for “Don’t Even Try It” / plus four more, we record three in a day / “Unstoppable”, plus the track “People Don’t stray” / me and L Universe spitting on an unreleased / part one done, Nujabes San, rest in peace / Scratch Chorus / Big up my man Nujabes / big up my man Nujabes / big up my man Nujabes [he make the beat knock] / big up my man Nujabes / big up-big up my man Nujabes / Verse Two / June 23rd, 2000 and I’m back on Japanese ground / five more tracks, “Not Yet Known”, “Slow Down” / plus a few more, now I’m at the Guinness record store / Nujabes got more breaks than I ever saw / said he ordered just a few of Jay-Z’s “Hard Knock” / but so much of mine and he so loved Starbucks / then we both went on tour, Yellow in Tokyo / Fukuoka, Wakayama and Sapporo / Club I to I in Osaka and Kyoto, / Gifu, Mito, Nagoya it was so dope / then he came to London and I showed him all my best breaks / chilling in the restaurant, eating up the best steak / then I said goodbye at the terminal at Heathrow / he was enigmatic so incognito / he was my people, chilling in the Far East / part two done, Nujabes San, rest in peace / Chorus / Verse Three / August 14th, 15th, 2010, club unit / Hydeout, Nujabes tribute we doing it / Cise Star, Fat Jon, Pace Rock, Funk D, / Emancipator, Substantial, Apani / Got to give a shout to my main man Takumi, / Seiji, Segawa, the show really moved me / moved us, Nujabes loved and respected / so many people’s lives were affected by his music / one in a million / worldwide fans, grown men, young children / spread the word let the whole movement increase / part three done, Nujabes San, rest in peace / Chorus /
credits
from Blackcurrent Jazz 2,
released July 20, 2011
Produced by Funky DL for Washington Classics 2011
Funky DL is regarded as one of the most legendary and significant MC's and Producers to come out of the UK. Now globally known for delivering albums with both musical and lyrical finesse...
supported by 13 fans who also own “Ode To Nujabes”
Holy crap this is such a nice chill beat. get that bass thumping with surround sound speakers. and my God. your whole neighborhood will be chilling to this beat. dangerous-puffin
The debut instrumental LP by Substantial; a wide-ranging album of upbeat, bass-heavy melodies to mellow, jazzy rhythms. Bandcamp New & Notable May 29, 2018
supported by 11 fans who also own “Ode To Nujabes”
Happy Anniversary! Love this entire album, and only chose this as my favourite track as it has such a triumphant, hopeful feel and wraps everything up so nicely. djscribe
