November 21st, 2025 – 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$$ and RZA. Fans can listen to the full album here.
‘Okinawan Wumen’ is a project that blends American and Japanese hip-hop together using Awich’s dynamic flow mixed in with RZA’s iconic sound. The album is also a love letter to American hip-hop which is how Awich fell in love with the sound whilst growing up in Okinawa, Japan.
When reflecting on the creation of the album, Awich had these words to say: “I was born and raised in Okinawa, a crossroads of cultures, histories, and survival. A place that’s long been a hidden intersection between Japan and America—shaped by U.S. occupation and still carrying the heavy weight of military bases today. The Abbott, RZA, returned to the soil of Asia—the ground that sparked Wu-Tang—with deep respect, passing down gems that became the foundation of this album. In a world moving at breakneck speed, I chose to move with intention, shaping this project to complete the story I’ve carried within me since childhood. Through this work, I call for a renewed sense of togetherness—across cultures, across borders, across all that separates us”.
The album features standout collaborations with Joey Bada$$, 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.
Listen to 'Okinawan Wuman' here
About Awich
Growing up on her home island of Okinawa, Awich, short for “Asia Wish Child” is a name she created to reflect her passions. She debuted with the EP 'Inner Research' in 2006 and moved to Atlanta, Georgia in the US around the same time. In her time in Atlanta, Awich produced her first full album 'Asia Wish Child' and released it in 2007. After moving back to Japan, Awich faced endless internal questioning and this intense process of introspection was cathartic and helped her reevaluate a more profound meaning of life, love, and forgiveness. Shortly after, she released another full album, making it her first in a decade. Her 2022 album, 'Queendom', reached #1 on Apple Music's overall album chart in Japan while her single, "Rasen in Okinawa" topped multiple charts. That same year, she held her first solo concert at the prestigious Nippon Budokan. In 2023, she embarked on her first national Zepp tour and released the album 'THE UNION'. In November, she headlined her first arena show, 'Queendom -THE UNION-' at K-Arena Yokohama, which sold out.
Awich’s ability to submerge herself into multiple global perspectives while also adding her signature feminine touch allows her to create music that is singular but relatable across the world. Awich has proven herself on the world stage by being the first Japanese rapper to perform at Coachella and continues to expand her presence internationally.
Over the course of the last few years, Awich has been cementing her spot in the US music industry. After becoming the first Japanese rapper to perform at Coachella in 2024, and becoming the person that musicians traveling to Japan comes to; the star has built organic relationships that shows how genuine and far she’ll go. The dedication she has to showcasing the worldwide impact of hip-hop in an authentic and respectful way, Awich has truly started the road to becoming a timeless artist.
With her total social following surpassing 2.1 million, Awich continues to shine as a dominant presence in SEA, drawing top audiences from Taiwan (#3), Indonesia (#4), Malaysia (#5), and Thailand (#7)!
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