July 8th, 2026 – Japanese Hip Hop Queen Awich joins forces with acclaimed rapper CHICO CARLITO, renowned for his electrifying flow and lyrical prowess, globally acclaimed rock band ONE OK ROCK, and boundary-pushing Paledusk for the launch of an exciting new collaborative project, YAO. Marking their highly anticipated debut, YAO unveils its first single, "777", a powerful track that showcases the collective's explosive chemistry and fearless artistic vision. Fans can stream the track here and watch the music video here.
Serving as YAO's debut release, "777" captures the energy and possibilities that emerge when different worlds collide. Blending elements of hip-hop, rock, and alternative music, the track brings together the distinct strengths of all four acts while forging a sound that feels fresh, ambitious, and uniquely YAO. The song stands as a testament to the project's commitment to breaking down creative boundaries and creating something greater than the sum of its parts.
Accompanying the release is a cinematic music video directed by Hidehito Hotta, a longtime creative collaborator of Awich. Set against a striking post-war landscape of battle-scarred buildings and abandoned vehicles, the video sees the members of YAO delivering a commanding performance. Filmed on a grand scale reminiscent of a feature film, the visual transforms scenes of destruction into a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and collective strength, perfectly reflecting the project's core message.
YAO - "777" (feat. Awich, CHICO CARLITO, ONE OK ROCK & Paledusk) [Official Music Video]
Bringing together four influential forces from across Japan's music landscape, YAO represents a bold fusion of hip-hop, rock, and alternative sounds, united by a shared ambition to push creative boundaries and challenge genre conventions.
The project traces its origins back to a joint performance by ONE OK ROCK and Awich at a dome concert. Following the show, ONE OK ROCK frontman Taka developed a deep respect for Awich's artistry and hip-hop culture, sparking conversations about creating music together in the future. The vision soon expanded with the addition of CHICO CARLITO, known for his exceptional rap skills and commanding presence, and Paledusk, one of Japan's most exciting next-generation rock acts and longtime collaborators of ONE OK ROCK. With Awich and Taka at its core, YAO was born as a project that transcends genres, generations, and creative boundaries.
Listen to "777" here
Watch the music video here
About YAO
YAO is a new collaborative project uniting Awich, CHICO CARLITO, ONE OK ROCK, and Paledusk. Drawing inspiration from the Japanese concept of "Yaoyorozu"—the belief that countless spirits exist in all things—YAO celebrates the coexistence of diverse perspectives and creative voices.
Bringing together artists from different backgrounds across hip-hop, rock, mainstream, and underground music, YAO explores what becomes possible when boundaries are transcended and differences are embraced. The result is a bold new creative collective built on respect, connection, and the pursuit of new artistic expression.
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