Rhyme Report

Published on July 28th, 2020 | by Guest Contributor

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Japanese Rapper Awich Signs To Universal Music Group, Releases Single & Video for “Shook Shook” From Upcoming EP “Partition”

Japanese rapper Awich has released her major label debut single and video for fiery new track, “Shook Shook” TODAY. The single, produced by Chaki Zulu, is a rattling number showcasing Awich’s flow at its hardest, seamlessly transitioning from Japanese to English as she sets her sights on the male-centric music industry spitting “bet you didn’t expect a girl to be here.” The accompanying music video, directed by one of the top Japanese video directors, Kento Yamada, aesthetically expands on the message with his fierce avant-garde interpretation. “Shook Shook” is the first single from her upcoming EP, “Partition”, set to hit August 21, 2020 via Universal Music Group.

 In just a few short years Awich has established herself as one of Japan’s top hip-hop artists and is actively working to redefine the hierarchy of the community in Japan, both in regards to women in hip hop, as well as around the Black Lives Matter movement. The Japanese rapper has also been attracting growing attention and acclaim internationally. Awich was featured on Red Bull and 88rising’s long form documentary “Asia Rising: The Next Generation of Hip Hop” as one of the leading rappers in Asia. She’s also done collabs with the likes of Polish rapper Tymek and Brazilian MC Krawk amongst others.

Awich, short for “Asia Wish Child,” taken from her birth name “Akiko,” is a name she created to reflect her roots. A child growing up on her home island of Okinawa, Awich would stay up through the night writing poetry about varieties of things such as life, love, the universe and etc. Her first encounter with hip hop was listening to Tupac’s All Eyes on Me when she was 13, and her primary English textbook hailed from Tupac’s lyrics, interviews, movies and books. A 14 year old Awich was featured on the local hip hop compilation album “Orion Beat” showcasing various Okinawan artists, and in 2006 she released her debut EP “Inner Research“, and that same year relocated to Atlanta to attend school during the height of the southern hip-hop boom.  The move between Tokyo and Atlanta inspired her first full album Asia Wish Child in 2007.  During her time stateside, she married a New York native and gave birth to her daughter, Toyomi Jah’mira.

In 2011, armed with a bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Marketing the family was preparing for a move back to Okinawa when her husband was shot and murdered. Awich returned home with just her daughter and faced seemingly endless depression and self-questioning. This intense process of introspection was cathartic and helped her reevaluate a more profound meaning of life, love, and forgiveness. She emerged from tragedy stronger than ever and ready to follow her path, inspired by her life experience and intense desire to change the status quo.

Awich is a must listen, and “Shook Shook” is an incredible first taste of what the next few years will bring!


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