Peace World. It has been a very rough year for Hip Hop worldwide. We've lost a lot of amazing artists. Weeks ago we lost Sean Price. In June, I lost my friend and fellow Plague member, PH (formerly known as Pumpkinhead). And last week, my former collaborator DJ Deckstream died in a traffic accident.
Instagram post below from Shing02...
When I met Jun (Nujabes) in 2000, he immediately introduced me to his production partner, DJ Deckstream, then known as Monorisick. Equally talented but very much Jun's opposite or as I'd like to think: the balance. Jun was often reserved, while Monorisick was VERY expressive. Even though he spoke very little english, he went above and beyond to converse with me using a digital Japanese to English translator. His physical comedy and oneliners made this homesick MC's weeks in Tokyo more bearable. Whether barhopping or arm wrestling before a studio session, he was always full of life and smiling.
![[Left to Right] DJ Deckstream (R.I.P.), Substantial, & Nujabes (R.I.P) - January 2000 in Asakusa](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53fe1b4ae4b029a0c8c7f39d/1441079478143-JVJNZYEUK3187G9Q76JL/image-asset.jpeg)
[Left to Right] DJ Deckstream (R.I.P.), Substantial, & Nujabes (R.I.P) - January 2000 in Asakusa
I had the pleasure of making several records with him, such as 'I'll Be Back' from Sweep's Love Beats album, 'Precious Love' ft. Milka & 'Destination Sky' which was the B side to his 12" single 'Life Is Good' with Mos Def which happens to be my favorite track that he's produced.
Our biggest song together to date is 'Home Sweet Home' which people often mistake as being produced by Nujabes. He also produced More Than A Game & Kalitwutchuwon2 and a slew of remixes from my debut album, To This Union A Was Born released by Hydeout Productions in 2001.
He's also worked with a lot of amazing artists from around the world such as Lupe Fiasco, T-Boz (of TLC), Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Verbal (of m-flo), Shing02, Nikki Jean & many more.
I am blessed to have known such a talented and fun person and I'm deeply saddened by his passing. We hadn't seen each other in quite some time, but the last time I saw him he seemed to be the same funny and happy guy I remembered from the early Hydeout days, and that's how I'll always remember him.
REST IN PEACE, my friend.
Substantial