SOULHEAD

A key contributor to Japan's emerging urban contemporary landscape during the 2000s, the sister act Soulhead amassed multiple Top Ten successes—chiefly with albums rather than singles—through their fusion of hip-hop, soul, funk, dancehall, and R&B. Both members also gained recognition for their command of English and their work as in-demand sound producers.

Born in 1978 and 1981 respectively, Yoshika and Tsugumi spent their early years on Hokkaido, the northernmost island, immersed in classical music alongside enka, Japan's traditional pop style. Exposure to Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg during high school sparked their interest in hip-hop. They launched live performances in 2001 as Batti Baas and issued their debut recording that same year, a limited-edition vinyl single titled "Lovin' You," a cover of Minnie Riperton's 1975 classic featuring guest Aaron Blackmon. A second Batti Baas track, "Inside Out," appeared on Tokuma in 2002 before Sony Music signed the renamed Soulhead and dispatched the sisters to Australia and New Zealand for a year-long immersion to sharpen their English skills, thereby distinguishing them from most Japanese contemporaries. Although the 2003 debut single "Step to the New World" and its two successors stalled in the lower reaches of the Top 40, the full-length Oh My Sister surged to the Top Three and moved 214,000 copies. Yoshika soon turned to production duties for Sowelu, Crystal Kay, and Ken Hirai; Tsugumi followed suit, and together they joined the Octopussy team on projects for Hirai Ken, Chemistry, and Koda Kumi. Soulhead maintained their own recording schedule: Braided reached number four in 2004 with nearly 140,000 units sold, while Naked climbed to number five in 2006. Mark De Clive-Lowe, Kenny Dope, and Koda Kumi appeared on singles spanning 2005–2006. Activity tapered in the late 2000s, limited to the 2007 compilation Best of Soulhead, assorted singles, and remix collections, as the duo focused increasingly on production. Their fourth, self-titled album was scheduled for release on Avex Trax— their new label since 2009—in February 2010.