Probably one of the most common themes of songwriting is love. At some point in time, we’ve all experienced the swell, heartache and recovery of feeling love in our life. It’s what makes it such a popular set piece for songs. But upon the hundreds and thousands of love songs out there, I argue that the true pinnacle of the genre is a six-part hip-hop/rap series titled Luv(sic), by Japanese producer Nujabes and American-Japanese artist Shing02.
Japanese producer Nujabes isn’t the most well-known artist of our generation. However, his influences reach far into all of our views. Regarded as the godfather of lo-fi hip hop, his penchant is for intertwining jazz and soul into his beats. His work set the groundwork for lo-fi’s popularity skyrocket in the 2010s, becoming the staple genre of studying students and coffee shop frequenters. Sadly, Nujabes wouldn’t see this rise in popularity, as he passed away in a car accident in 2010.
Following his passing, frequent collaborator Shing02, who had worked on and released parts 1-3 of the Luv(sic) Hexalogy up until this point, worked for the next three years to complete the masterpiece of an album. Up until this point, while only the first three parts had been released, the instrumentals for parts four and five were available and finished shortly after his passing. The file for what would become the sixth and final instalment was found on Nujabes’ phone weeks after his car accident. After much mourning from the community and effort by Shing02, the Luv(sic) Grand Finale was released on the third anniversary of Nujabes’ death.
In 2015, the collective album was released by Nujabes’ record label Hydeout Productions, featuring all six parts and several remixes by fellow artists. In all, the Luv(sic) Hexalogy has garnered millions of listens across streaming platforms, giving Nujabes the post-humorous fame he greatly deserves.
The Hexalogy brings a realness and authenticity to the process of falling in love. “There is a certain voice that unites the chapters, a character if you will,” Shing02 said. Shing02’s knack for storytelling and creative writing shines through as he writes this letter to “someone he had lost touch with.” The songs continue to delve into reconnecting with lost passion and searching for that moment of serenity.
Luv(sic) is a must listen. No series of songs has instilled such a sense of love and serenity in me, and I hope you all find it just as amazing!