When ONE OK ROCK and hip-hop artist Awich announced a new project called YAO in 2026, it would have been easy to assume we were looking at another one-off collaboration—rock band meets rapper for a single track, then everyone moves on. But YAO is something else entirely: a structured, ongoing music collective that also includes CHICO CARLITO and metalcore outfit Paledusk, with a clear eye on audiences far beyond Japan. Here's everything we know about what YAO is, why it exists, and what the project has released so far.
The Quick Version
- YAO is a Japanese music project formed in 2026 by Awich, CHICO CARLITO, ONE OK ROCK, and Paledusk—a mix of hip-hop, rock, and metalcore artists who wouldn't normally work together.
- The project launched with the digital single "777" on July 7, 2026, followed by a second track released September 4, 2026.
- YAO's name comes from Yaoyorozu no kamigami (八百万の神々), an ancient Japanese concept meaning "eight million gods," symbolizing diversity and coexistence.
- The project is presented as a supergroup, not a featured collaboration—all four acts are equal members with shared branding, dedicated videos, and international media rollout.
- YAO's releases, messaging, and high-budget production suggest a global ambition, designed to reach listeners across Asia, North America, and beyond.
What YAO Actually Is—and Why It's Not Just Another Collab
We've all seen plenty of one-time collaborations where a rock band invites a rapper onto a track, or vice versa. YAO is built differently. From the start, the project was announced and branded as a new music collective—complete with its own name, logo, and conceptual framework. The four participating acts are Awich (a hip-hop artist often called Japan's hip-hop queen in international media), CHICO CARLITO (another prominent hip-hop voice), ONE OK ROCK (the globally touring rock band), and Paledusk (a rising metalcore group). Instead of billing itself as "ONE OK ROCK featuring Awich," YAO treats each member as an equal partner in a shared creative experiment.
According to official statements, the idea originated after ONE OK ROCK and Awich performed together at a dome show. Vocalist Taka expressed admiration for hip-hop culture and a desire to create something together that went beyond a single guest appearance. That conversation led to the formation of YAO—a project explicitly designed to explore what happens when artists from rock, hip-hop, and metalcore work together as peers rather than guests on each other's albums.
The name itself signals the project's philosophy. Yaoyorozu no kamigami is an ancient Shinto-influenced concept that literally translates to "eight million gods," referring to the belief that divinity exists in countless forms throughout nature and daily life. In practice, it's a metaphor for diversity, multiplicity, and the coexistence of different values and perspectives. YAO's creators have said they chose the name to reflect their goal of bringing together artists who represent different musical worlds and letting those worlds coexist and influence one another.
The Releases So Far: "777" and Beyond
YAO's debut single, "777," dropped on July 7, 2026—a date chosen to match the triple-seven motif. The track was released digitally across streaming platforms, and its music video premiered on YouTube at 7:00 PM Japan Standard Time the same day. The video was also featured on Red Bull's YouTube hip-hop series "Red Bull IN-YO!," a strategic choice that positioned YAO at the intersection of rock and hip-hop scenes and leveraged Red Bull's international reach.
The "777" music video is cinematic and high-budget, with visuals designed to communicate YAO's overarching "worldview"—the idea that multiple genres, identities, and creative voices can exist in one shared space. It's not a scrappy DIY clip; it's a polished, large-scale production that signals serious investment and ambition.
On September 4, 2026, YAO released its second single. Japanese media refer to the track as "Arifureta Sekai no Hate ni" (ありふれた世界の果てに), while some English-language coverage has highlighted the track's thematic focus on Okinawa, featuring prominently the voices of Awich and CHICO CARLITO (both of whom have strong ties to Okinawa) alongside ONE OK ROCK and Paledusk. The song was described as being motivated by feelings for Okinawa, adding a regional and narrative dimension to the project's identity.
The fact that YAO released two singles within two months, each with its own distinct theme and promotional push, reinforces the idea that this is an ongoing project rather than a one-time collaboration. We're looking at a roadmap, not a single stop.
Why YAO Is Designed for a Global Audience
Everything about YAO's rollout suggests the project was conceived with international listeners in mind. ONE OK ROCK is already a globally recognized band with a significant fanbase in North America, Europe, and across Asia, and Awich has been steadily building her profile outside Japan through collaborations, media interviews, and festival appearances. By branding YAO as a supergroup and packaging its concept for English-language media—complete with explanations of Yaoyorozu and the project's cross-genre mission—the team behind YAO is clearly speaking to audiences who may not follow the Japanese music scene closely but are curious about innovative collaborations.
The project has been covered by international outlets like Hypebeast and Forbes, which presented YAO as a cross-genre, cross-culture collective and explained its philosophy to a global readership. The use of terms like "Japanese supergroup" and "hip-hop queen" in English-language media is a deliberate framing choice aimed at readers outside Japan. The high production value of the "777" music video, its premiere on a Red Bull-sponsored platform, and the project's presence on major streaming services all point to an export strategy—YAO is designed to be discoverable, shareable, and appealing to listeners around the world.
It's also worth noting that YAO's genre mix—rock, hip-hop, and metalcore—is inherently cross-border. These are styles with large, established audiences in multiple countries, and the project's emphasis on diversity and coexistence resonates as a universal theme rather than a Japan-specific one. While the Yaoyorozu concept is rooted in Japanese tradition, it's presented in a way that feels accessible and relevant to anyone interested in genre-blending and creative collaboration.
What We Know About the Members and Their Roles
Each of YAO's four members brings a distinct musical identity and audience to the table. Awich is one of Japan's most prominent female hip-hop artists, known for her powerful delivery and deeply personal lyrics. She has built a following both in Japan and internationally, and her voice anchors much of YAO's hip-hop sensibility. CHICO CARLITO is another major figure in Japanese hip-hop, with roots in Okinawa and a style that blends introspection with hard-hitting beats. Together, Awich and CHICO CARLITO represent the project's hip-hop foundation.
ONE OK ROCK is the rock pillar of YAO. The band has toured stadiums and arenas worldwide, sung in both Japanese and English, and collaborated with artists across genres. Their participation gives YAO instant credibility and reach in the rock world. Paledusk, the youngest member of the collective in terms of mainstream recognition, represents the metalcore and hardcore scene. Their inclusion adds an edge and intensity that distinguishes YAO from softer, more radio-friendly collaborations.
In YAO, these four acts don't take turns in the spotlight—they share it. The project is structured so that each release feels like a true collaboration, with all members contributing rather than one act "featuring" the others. That equality is part of what makes YAO feel like a supergroup rather than a series of guest appearances.
What People Are Saying
"I wasn't expecting ONE OK ROCK and Awich to work this well together, but '777' actually hits. It's wild hearing them on the same track and it doesn't feel forced at all."
— Fan comment on the "777" music video
"YAO feels like the kind of project that could only happen now. Genre walls are breaking down everywhere, and this crew is living proof that hip-hop, rock, and metalcore can share the same space."
— Listener reaction on social media
"The fact that they named it after Yaoyorozu is perfect—it's exactly what the project is about. Different sounds, different scenes, all coming together without losing their identity."
— Comment from a Japanese music forum
"I hope YAO keeps going. Two singles is a good start, but I want to see where they take this over a full album or even a tour. The potential here is huge."
— Fan post discussing the project's future
Frequently Asked Questions
When did YAO release its first song?
YAO's debut single, "777," was released digitally on July 7, 2026. The music video premiered on YouTube the same day at 7:00 PM Japan Standard Time.
Where can I listen to YAO's music?
YAO's singles are available on major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. The music videos are also available on YouTube.
Who are the members of YAO?
YAO is made up of four acts: Awich, CHICO CARLITO, ONE OK ROCK, and Paledusk. The project blends hip-hop, rock, and metalcore.
Is YAO planning more releases or a full album?
As of September 15, 2026, YAO has released two singles. The project's structure and branding suggest it's an ongoing effort, but no full album or additional release dates have been officially announced yet.
What does the name YAO mean?
YAO comes from Yaoyorozu no kamigami (八百万の神々), an ancient Japanese concept meaning "eight million gods." It symbolizes the idea that divinity exists in countless forms and reflects the project's theme of diverse musical styles coexisting.
What Makes YAO More Than a Publicity Stunt
In an era where collaborations are announced almost daily, it's natural to wonder whether YAO is just a marketing exercise—a way to cross-promote four acts and generate buzz. But the evidence suggests otherwise. The project has a name, a philosophy, dedicated branding, and a rollout strategy that includes multiple singles, high-budget videos, and international media engagement. That level of investment and creative coordination doesn't happen for a one-off publicity move.
What sets YAO apart is its commitment to the idea that genre boundaries are artificial and that creative chemistry can emerge when artists from different worlds work together as equals. The Yaoyorozu concept isn't just a catchy name—it's a guiding principle that shapes how the project presents itself and what it stands for. In a global music landscape increasingly defined by cross-genre experimentation and international collaboration, YAO feels like a natural evolution rather than a gimmick.
We don't yet know how long YAO will last, whether it will tour, or if a full-length album is in the works. But the project has already done something rare: it's brought together four distinct musical identities and made them feel like parts of a coherent whole. That's not easy, and it's not something you can fake with a single track. YAO is real, it's ambitious, and it's designed to reach listeners around the world who are ready for something that doesn't fit neatly into one genre or one scene.
Looking Ahead: What's Next for YAO
With two singles already released as of September 2026, YAO has established its sound and its identity. The project has shown it can blend hip-hop, rock, and metalcore into something that feels both fresh and grounded, and it has introduced itself to audiences in Japan and beyond through strategic media partnerships and high-quality production. What remains to be seen is how far YAO will take this experiment—whether we'll see an EP, an album, live performances, or international tours in the months and years ahead.
For now, we can stream "777" and the Okinawa-themed second single, watch the videos, and follow each member's individual projects as they continue alongside YAO. The beauty of a supergroup like this is that it doesn't require any of its members to abandon their solo work—it's an addition, not a replacement. And as long as the music keeps coming and the creative chemistry stays strong, YAO has the potential to be one of the most exciting cross-genre projects to emerge from Japan in recent years—one that speaks to listeners everywhere who believe that the best art happens when boundaries disappear.
