**A leading voice in contemporary soul, Nao Yoshioka carries the legacy of the genre’s greats into a new era.** Born in Japan, she discovered her passion for soul through the music of Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston before moving to New York to hone her craft and forge her own path. Her latest album, *self*, features collaborations with Bilal, Jamila Woods and Braxton Cook, showcasing her powerful vocals and deep connection to soul music. With performances at Blue Note New York and stages across Europe, Nao has built an international reputation, making history as the first Japanese artist to enter Billboard’s UAC chart.