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The EP Hot Issue marks the artist's first release in approximately five years.
This project is a collaborative work with jazz trumpeter and producer Yuka Kawabata, developed entirely through online communication and brought to fruition in a distinctly modern way.
For the first time in the artist's career, the project places songwriting at its core.
Departing from the previously established style-defined by dark, city-driven textures and the interplay of silence-the EP instead unfolds through a sequence of tracks centered on smooth, accessible, and rhythmically light soundscapes.
Translating the artist's own "hot" experiences and emotions directly into sound, the work retains a striking sense of immediacy, offering a fresh and vivid listening experience that resonates with the audience.
ZIW is a musician from Okinawa, Japan, whose expression is rooted in R&B, hip-hop, and soul, drawing deep influence from Black music. Breaking free from the conventional frame of a rapper, ZIW moves seamlessly between singing and rapping, using a distinctive vocal style to portray emotional nuances and the depth of human experience. In 2026, ZIW relocates their base from Okinawa to Tokyo. With a sharper, more refined sound and expression, ZIW's music continues to expand beyond the local scene, stepping into a new phase on a national scale.
Yuka Kawabata is a Tokyo-based trumpeter, producer, and track maker. Raised on classical piano and violin from childhood, she transforms that foundation and sensitivity into a sound that bridges neo-soul, jazz, and hip-hop. Blending improvisation with beat-driven production, Yuka continues to explore music beyond genre. As her international audience grows, editorial playlists and media are beginning to take notice - positioning her as a rising artist shaping the next wave.