Awich: Okinawan Wuman (Clear Vinyl)

Awich, who has been expanding her presence with a global perspective, has completed a boundary breaking new album fully produced by RZA of the legendary hip‑hop group Wu‑Tang Clan. After meeting a few years ago and instantly hitting it off, the two deepened their musical and spiritual bond by visiting each other’s homes Okinawa and the Wu Mansion ultimately bringing this project to life.

Symbolized by “Wax On Wax Off”, a track built on a beat sampling Meiko Kaji’s “Jeans Blues” and featuring A$AP Ferg and Lupe Fiasco, the album fuses Eastern aesthetics with the DNA of New York hip‑hop. The main body of work includes contributions from RZA, Joey Bada$$, Westside Gunn, and rising new‑generation rappers 454 and MikKE. Awich’s predominantly English language rapping carries a striking sense of vitality, standing shoulder‑to‑shoulder with some of the most prominent artists in the scene.

The album also embraces profound themes and poetic depth: “Fear Us (feat. Joey Bada$$ & RZA)” expresses unwavering determination to push forward despite the difficulty of changing the world; “Ghost of the East” confronts the lasting, intergenerational impact of war and genocide; and “Noble Lies” poses philosophical questions in an era where truth has lost its power.
Closing the album is “Wax On Wax Off – Japan Remix”, featuring an all-star mic relay from R‑shitei, NENE, ChinzaDOPENESS, and C.O.S.A.

The project vividly demonstrates how the DNA of New York hip‑hop has continued to evolve uniquely within Japan, culminating in a new level of maturity for the scene.