UChicago:
(Optional): Share with us a few of your favorite books, poems, authors, films, plays, pieces of music, musicians, performers, paintings, artists, blogs, magazines, or newspapers. Feel free to touch on one, some, or all of the categories listed, or add a category of your own.
'"Treat You Better Than Me
Because That's The Heavenly Key
To Unlock The Inner Strength
Where My Essence Will Be
It's The Knowledge Of Self
Understanding Of The Things Around Me
That Becomes The Wisdom That I Need"
These lines were not made by some famous poet or some renowned rapper, but instead by a humble DJ that goes by the name of Nujabes. Barely known in America, Nujabes is truly a hidden gem among the Japanese hip hop producers. What distinguishes Nujabes from the rappers we have today is that he chooses to write about how to live and how to deal with life. Instead of talking about violence and substance abuse, he decides to use his music to in order to show how the human mind works and what people yearn for. By listening to his beats, I often find myself drifting into a state of tranquility. I would often listen to his albums for hours and soon enough, I realize that his music became a part of my life.
When I heard my first Nujabes track I thought "Who are these people singing?" I looked at all of his songs and not a single artist was familiar. I thought, why would such a talented producer choose such nameless people? The more I listened, the more I came to understand why he chose these people. In his eyes, everyone had a story to tell. By listening to the amalgamation of these hip hop artists, I felt a connection towards the lyrics and I started to say to myself "Hey, I've been in a similar situation." Because of how Nujabes' music touched me, I was shocked when news of his death came to America. I was mortified that he had died before his music could inspire and speak to more people. I felt that he had been cheated. Such talent and innovation was wiped off the world without even given a chance to shine. From this experience I initially thought that life was unfair, but as I listened to Nujabes again, I started to think differently. As I listened to his music again, I felt the same sense of peace and security. It was then that I began to think that perhaps he did have his chance, after all he managed to reach me. Even though Nujabes might have passed away, I believe his soul is still alive - you just have to relax and press play.
UChicago never stated how long the prompt had to be. I don't know if this is too lengthy. It's around 400 words.
Thoughts on my piece? Thanks!
Instead of talking about violence and substance abuse, he decides to use his music to in order to show how the human mind works and what people yearn forthose things for which it yearns .
When I heard my first Nujabes track I thought, "Who are these people singing?" By listening to the amalgamation of these hip hop artists, I felt a connection towardswith the lyrics and I started to say to myself "Hey, I've been in a similar situation." Because of how Nujabes' music touched me, so I was shocked when news of his death came to America. I was mortified that he had died before his music could inspire and speak to more people. I felt that he had been cheated. Such talent and innovation was wiped offtaken from the world without evenbefore it was given a chance to shine. From this experience, I initially thought that life was unfair,.butBut as I listened to Nujabes again, I started to think differently.
