Okinawan Music Compilation Draws Attention Ahead of “LONGINESS REMIX” Release

April 18, 2023 | Tokyo, Japon | Team RJHH

The music video for “LONGINESS REMIX“, a song by the group SugLawd in collaboration with CHICO CARLITO and Awich, will premiere on Tuesday, April 18, at 7:00 PM. This work was pre-distributed last December before the compilation “098RADIO vol.1 Hosted by Awich” a collection of songs by artists from Okinawa, led by rapper Awich, who also performed at Rolling Loud Thailand. The compilation of songs by Okinawan artists hosted by rapper Awich was released on Wednesday, March 15, and has since received considerable attention. In January, a performance video was released on THE FIRST TAKE, generating much interest from music fans.

Kohei Yonaha, a director from Okinawa, directed the video. It tells the story of “parents reunited to celebrate Aunt’s (Kazimaya’s) 97th year of life”, and features many family members and friends of the artist. The film not only showcases the culture and landscapes of Okinawa often seen in daily life, such as karate, eisa, Bingata, and the sea but instead captures the unique atmosphere of Okinawa that is difficult to see from outside the country.

The remix of LONGINESS was produced by SugLawd, a hip-hop group from Okinawa, and features verses from CHICO CARLITO and Awich, two well-known rappers from the Japanese music scene. The original song was included in the “SUGAR” album, released in 2021. The blend of different musical styles and various traditional Okinawan instruments gives the song a unique flavor, highlighted in the music video. The collaboration between SugLawd, CHICO CARLITO, and Awich has produced a refreshing and contemporary sound reflecting Japanese music’s diversity.

In summary, the music video for “LONGINESS REMIX” is a perfect example of Okinawa’s cultural and musical richness, presented in a captivating and unique way. Fans of hip-hop and Japanese music will be delighted with this collaboration and the imminent release of the music video.