Japan born Yoshi Kodate has spent his early years sharing time between Japan and the US, where he later attended Berklee College of Music for music production. Over the last decade, he has played in over 300 venues all over the East Coast, from gospel church to bars to festivals.

Yoshi Kodate describes his style as putting a fresh twist on Japanese music with influences from soul, funk and R’n’B; inspired by the likes of Flying Lotus, Kendrick Lamar and D'Angelo. 

Upon moving back to Tokyo in 2020, Yoshi started his own label “Blue Forest Records Japan”, which aims to collaborate with up and coming artists to bring elements of hip hop, soul and funk to the music scene in Japan.