- 1.31 PM
- March 27, 2026
Bingkai Karya – Internationally acclaimed Japanese soul singer Nao Yoshioka is set to release her new single, “You Got to Feel It,” on Friday, March 20, 2026. The track is a result of a powerful cross-cultural collaboration, uniting Yoshioka with celebrated Dutch producer/artist Bnnyhunna and featuring the unmistakable sound of American alto saxophonist and singer Braxton Cook.
The genesis of “You Got to Feel It” was pure creative serendipity. During a visit to Japan in 2025, Bnnyhunna stopped by Yoshioka’s studio. Before any formal discussion could begin, a beat started playing, and the music took over. Guided by the atmosphere of the room, a fluid and natural writing session unfolded organically, capturing that spontaneous energy and making it the very core of the track.
The result is a deeply textured R&B gem, where Bnnyhunna’s sophisticated, Ghanaian-rooted African groove seamlessly intertwines with Yoshioka’s flexible yet powerful vocals. Adding another layer of depth is a featured appearance from Braxton Cook, a long-time friend and kindred spirit within the artists’ “SWEET SOUL Family.”
The collaboration with Cook felt like an inevitability. During the production process, the idea of adding saxophone emerged. With Bnnyhunna and Cook having a shared history, his name was the natural and immediate choice. A reunion with Cook at a block party in Durham, North Carolina, this past October felt less like a coincidence and more like a confirmation of a deep-seated, trust-based connection waiting to bear fruit.
“You Got to Feel It” explores the raw, intimate moments of confirming true love. It’s a song that navigates the space between desire and sincerity, the yearning for a partner to be genuine and present, while also grappling with the internal wish to trust and embrace those very feelings. It’s a quiet yet powerful portrait of real emotion.
“This song was born so naturally when Bnnyhunna casually dropped by the studio. Before we even settled on a concept, I just started singing along to the beat, and the words flowed out. It captured a very honest moment that feeling of being drawn to someone not out of logic, but pure impulse.
And now, about nine years after Braxton’s first shows in Japan, we’ve finally collaborated. Hearing his sax and voice on this track completely captivated me all over again.
I’m truly happy to have completed this piece together with artists I trust so deeply. It’s a song I hope people can just surrender themselves to. I’d love for you to enjoy it in a comfortable, relaxed moment, maybe with a glass in hand.” – Nao Yoshioka
About Nao Yoshioka:
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 Blue Note Tokyo live performance from 2022, has surpassed 5 million views on YouTube, becoming a viral moment and revealing her natural command as a live artist. Watch it here.
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 also became the first Japanese artist to reach No.32 on the Billboard UAC chart, drawing listeners across cultures and regions.
Read more about the music here
