Featured image courtesy of Universal Music Japan.
OKINAWA, Japan — Japanese Hip-Hop royalty, Awich, just released the official music video for “Fear Us”, together with RZA — the architect of the legendary hip-hop crew “Wu-Tang Clan” — and Brooklyn rapper Joey Bada$$.
The track is a standout from Awich’s album “Okinawan Wuman” (released in November 2025 and fully produced by RZA), and is far more than a simple collaboration with international artists. It serves as a deeply conceptual message song where the historical backdrop of Okinawa intersects with the political and spiritual dimensions that hip-hop has carried since its origins.
Image courtesy of Universal Music Japan.
In an era of growing global division and instability, the themes of “war, peace, and unity” embedded within this project resonate with powerful relevance. The track brings together Okinawa’s voice and the roots of American hip-hop, delivering a message that transcends cultures and borders.
Speaking on the song, Awich says, “Our unity is what they fear the most. ‘Fear Us’ is an anthem against an era ruled by fear, and a powerful statement calling for “unity”.
Bringing together Okinawa, Brooklyn, and the spirit of Wu-Tang, this historic track stands at the forefront of global hip-hop.
“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.
Album artwork and track list courtesy of Universal Music Japan.
Reflecting on the creation of the album, Awich divulges, “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.”
She continues, “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 also features collaborations with 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.
Watch video here:
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