Nao Yoshioka is a rare and authentic soul singer whose work has reached audiences around the world. Born and raised in Japan, a country shaped by a strong monocultural identity, she has developed a voice that moves beyond those borders and stands out as an exceptional presence in global soul music.

After moving alone to New York, she encountered the true depth of soul. The moment Sam Cooke’s music resonated with her own inner world, she chose a path devoted to creating songs that touch the deepest parts of the human experience. Her powerful and resonant voice carries the strength once heard in artists like Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston, while reflecting the sensibilities of contemporary soul. Her live performance, which has surpassed 5 million views on YouTube, became a viral moment and revealed her natural command as a live artist.

Nao Yoshioka’s 3rd album The Truth reached #32 on the Billboard UAC chart, making her the first Japanese artist to achieve this feat, and went on to receive a review by Rolling Stone Magazine and the Best International Artist award from the UK’s BRIGHT STAR AWARDS. In 2024, she released her fifth album Flow and completed a world tour that covered eleven countries across Asia, Europe, and the United States.

Nao has headlined at Blue Note New York and London Jazz Cafe, and performed at international festivals including Java Jazz Festival and Capital Jazz Fest. She was the first Japanese artist to be selected for the “ALT-R&B” (Apple Music) and “Next Wave Neo-Soul” (Spotify) editorial playlists in the U.S. and she has performed with Jon Batiste, Nathan East, Eric Roberson, Mama’s Gun, and others.

With a voice that resonates deeply and beautifully, Nao Yoshioka continues to make a meaningful and lasting mark on the global soul scene.

 

For more:
Nao Yoshioka’s Website
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Nao Yoshioka on Twitter
Nao Yoshioka on Instagram

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