Japan's Rap Queen Awich Champions Cross-Border Collabs, Wants To Work With Pinoy Acts

Japanese hip-hop queen Awich is in full collab mode, dropping back-to-back high-profile releases that show Asian hip-hop isn't just crossing borders—it's connecting artists who bring not only their voices, but their cultures into the mix.

- Nathalie M. Tomada

Early this year, Awich came out with the pan-Asian anthem Asian State of Mind, which saw Jay Park (South Korea), KR$NA (India), VannDa (Cambodia) and Masiwei (China) joining forces.

She kept the momentum going by dropping early this month, Butcher Shop, which features New York rap legend FERG and is produced by none other than RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan.

She's looking to collaborate with even more artists, with Filipino acts on her radar.

She asked this writer for recommendations during a virtual chat.

"I wanna see more cross-cultural collaborations... I would love to see that everywhere. I wanna collaborate with a Filipino artist. I need you to give me some suggestions. Can you give me some suggestions?" she said.

Top of mind, I mentioned EZ Mil who is signed up with the music label of Eminem and Dr. Dre.

"Oh, I know EZ Mil. Well, I don't know him, but I know of him. Everybody talks about him. Yes, I'll definitely check him out. But yeah, yeah I am (familiar with him). I mean, if ever anybody wanna talk about the Philippines' rap scene right now, they will say his name," she said.

Besides that, she also spoke about her own place in the global music scene and how she juggles multiple roles that include being a mother.

Here's my interview with the Okinawa-born artist, whose name is short for Asia Wish Child.

First of all, I want to know what inspired you to bring together these hip-hop powerhouses from Asia for your track Asian State of Mind?

"It's something that I've always wanted to do... because that's what I've been doing with Japanese artists... or Japanese female artists—to bring them together to kind of show unity.