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Awich, also known as Akiko Urasaki, is a Japanese hip-hop artist recognized as the 'Queen of Japanese Hip-Hop.' She has cultivated a career marked by significant musical achievements and entrepreneurial endeavors, positioning herself as a leader in her genre.
Collaborated with Jordan, a brand that allows her to express her identity through fashion and culture.
Collaborated with Ray-Ban, a brand that allows her to express her identity through fashion and culture.
Launched the “Know The World – Awich” project in collaboration with HelloWorld, Inc., to promote global exchange and study abroad. This initiative has facilitated Okinawan students studying in Atlanta and plans to reciprocate by bringing Atlanta college students to Okinawa.
Featured in the documentary 'Asia Rising – The Next Generation Of Hip Hop', a collaborative project between Red Bull and 88rising, which showcases the Asian rap scene.
Born Akiko Urasaki in Naha, Okinawa, in 1986, Awich was exposed to American culture from a young age due to the presence of U.S. military bases. This early exposure led to her idolization of Tupac Shakur, whose music she credits with helping her learn English. She started writing lyrics at 13 and gave her first public hip-hop performance at 14. At 19, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing from the University of Indianapolis in 2011. While in the U.S., she married and had a daughter, Toyomi Jah’mira. Following the incarceration and subsequent murder of her husband, Awich returned to Japan with her daughter, marking a significant personal and professional turning point.
Upon returning to Japan, Awich initially focused on building her branding company, Cypher City, which aimed to market Okinawan products internationally. However, her passion for music soon brought her back to the hip-hop scene. In 2017, she joined the Japanese hip-hop collective Yentown as its only female member, a move that propelled her into the mainstream. Under Yentown, she released two studio albums, *8* and *Peacock*, and two extended plays, *Beat* and *Heart*. Her career continued to ascend, leading to a major label deal with Universal Music Japan sublabel Universal J in 2020. Her debut EP with the label, *Partition*, featured promotional singles “Shook Shook” and “Bad Bad.”
In 2022, Awich released her major label debut album, *Queendom*, followed by the single “Tsubasa” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Okinawa’s return to Japanese sovereignty, which included vocals from her daughter. That same year, she headlined at Budokan and performed at Fuji Rock Festival. Her most recent album, *The Union*, was released in 2023. She has achieved chart success, with “Gila Gila” reaching number 92 on the Japan Hot 100 and achieving Platinum streaming certification, and “Bad Bitch Bigaku” reaching number 87 and achieving Gold streaming certification. Her performances at international festivals like Coachella and Head in the Clouds (HITC) in 2024 further solidified her global presence. Awich is recognized for her advocacy for women in hip-hop, using her platform to empower other female artists in Japan, as demonstrated by collaborations on her album *United Queens*.
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