The reigning queen of Japanese Hip-Hop, Awich, has officially released her new album ‘Okinawan Wuman’ today. Leading the project is the focus track “Fear Us”, a powerful collaboration featuring Joey Bada$$ and RZA.
‘Okinawan Wumen’ is a project that blends American and Japanese hip-hop together using Awich’s dynamic flow mixed in with RZA’s iconic sound. The album is also a love letter to American hip-hop which is how Awich fell in love with the sound whilst growing up in Okinawa, Japan.
When reflecting on the creation of the album, Awich had these words to say: “I was born and raised in Okinawa, a crossroads of cultures, histories, and survival. A place that’s long been a hidden intersection between Japan and America—shaped by U.S. occupation and still carrying the heavy weight of military bases today. The Abbott, RZA, returned to the soil of Asia—the ground that sparked Wu-Tang—with deep respect, passing down gems that became the foundation of this album. In a world moving at breakneck speed, I chose to move with intention, shaping this project to complete the story I’ve carried within me since childhood. Through this work, I call for a renewed sense of togetherness—across cultures, across borders, across all that separates us”.
The album features standout collaborations with Joey Bada$$, Westside Gunn, 454, and MIKE, alongside previously released tracks with Ferg and Lupe Fiasco for “Butcher Shop” and “Wax On Wax Off”. With a bold vision to bridge Japanese and American hip-hop, Awich continues to push boundaries, cementing her path toward global stardom and paving the way for the next generation of artists.
