Soulhead

Biography

Before they assumed the name Soulhead, Yoshika and Tsugumi were known as Batti Baas. Batti Baas released one vinyl single through Handcuts Records called Lovin' You, which featured Aaron Blackmon. The song was a remake of the Minnie Riperton standard. In February 2002, they released a CD single through Tokuma Japan Communications called Inside Out.

Shortly after the release of Inside Out, they were signed to Sony Music Associated Records and began working under the pseudonym Soulhead. The label sent them one year abroad to Australia and New Zealand to improve their proficiency in English. They released their debut single, Step to the New World, on August 21, 2002. In 2006, they were transferred to Sony Music Associated Records' sublabel, onenation. They have appeared on various compilations with other Japanese artists. Soulhead's sound is a blend between various genres, such as soul, hip-hop, R&B, dancehall, reggae and funk, with many of their lyrics in English. They usually work with the production team known as Octopussy. They have also worked on releases with other Japanese artists, such as Kumi Koda and Soul'd Out. Yoshika is also a renowned songwriter, who has worked with artists such as Sowelu, Ken Hirai and Crystal Kay.

On February 21, 2007 they released a greatest hits album called Best of Soulhead, which contained all of their singles released up to Naked, along with a few b-sides. On February 24, 2010, after a four-year hiatus, they released a new album titled Soulhead under Avex Group, which they transferred to from SMEJ. On September 28, 2011, the duo released their second Avex album, Jump Up the Wall. This has been their final release to date.

Yoshika released her first solo album on July 3, 2013, titled My Anthem, which consisted of twelve new songs and one remix. Six months later, she released another album: a remix album compiled of remixes from My Anthem.

As of March 2016, their Avex site was unavailable.

Influences

Some musical artists who they respect are Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, The Beatles, Janis Joplin, Takuro Yoshida and Ice Cube.

Personal life

It was announced in their official blog that Yoshika gave birth to a baby.

Studio Albums

1. Oh My Sister
   Rank: #3 / Sold: 214,545 March 5, 2003
2. BRAIDED
   Rank: #4 / Sold: 139,992 April 28, 2004
3. Naked
   Rank: #5 March 8, 2006
4. SOULHEAD
   Rank: #40 February 24, 2010
5. JUMP UP THE WALL
   Rank: #73 September 28, 2011

Best Albums

1. BEST OF SOULHEAD
   Rank: #5 February 21, 2007

Remix Albums

1. RE-CONSTRUCT ALBUM Vol.1 "REFLECTION"
   Rank: #89 / Sold: 9,602 September 26, 2003
2. RE-CONSTRUCT ALBUM Vol.2 "CRYSTALLIZED"
   Rank: #41 June 21, 2006
3. my anthem -sympathetic resonance- January 22, 2014

Yoshika Solo Albums

1. MY ANTHEM
   Rank: #286 July 3, 2013

Standard Singles

(Source)

12" Analog Singles

(Source)

1. TOO LATE [DJ WATARI remix]/Song For You [DJ HIROnyc remix] August 20, 2003
2. BREAK UP [DJ MASTERKEY remix]/PLAYBOY [SAIGENJI remix] August 20, 2003
3. TO DA FAKE MCS September 10, 2003
4. LOVER, KNIGHT, MAN [D.O.I.+OCTOPUSSY remix]/MOON SHINE feat. Aaron Blackmon [Doggystyle remix] September 10, 2003
5. SPARKLE☆TRAIN ~worked by mark de clive-lowe/You can do that ~worked by Reel People July 13, 2006
6. XXX ~worked by SA-RA/Pray ~worked by Kenny Dope July 13, 2006

DVDs

1. Oh My Sister LIVE & CLIPS October 8, 2003
2. SOULHEAD tour 2006 "Naked" August 9, 2006
3. 5th Anniversary tour "BEST OF SOULHEAD" November 11, 2007

Collaborative Efforts & Featured Artist

1. Ryuusei no Sadoru (流星のサドル / Meteor of the Saddle) (February 25, 2004) from album SOUL TREE ~a musical tribute to toshinobu kubota~
2. Like a Queen feat. SOULHEAD (February 23, 2005) from single Like a Queen feat. SOULHEAD / Tomita.Lab
3. D.D.D feat. SOULHEAD (December 21, 2005) from album BEST ~second session~ / Koda Kumi
4. Home party feat. TSUGUMI of SOULHEAD (August 1, 2007) from album おたくgirlsの宴 / lecca
5. Beauty and the Beast (September 26, 2007) from album TRIBUTE TO CELINE DION
6. Love Majic feat. LUNA, TSUGUMI of SOULHEAD & JAMOSA (July 28, 2010) from album POWER BUTTERFLY / lecca
7. Round Mirror Moon feat. Yoshika (October 2, 2010) from album 攻め燃える (Burning Attack) / JABBERLOOP
8. Natural High feat. Tsugumi (October 2, 2010) from album 攻め燃える (Burning Attack) / JABBERLOOP
9. SLOW MOTION feat. TSUGUMI (May 18, 2011) from album OPEN THE DOOR / HIROKO
10. DREAMERS feat. TSUGUMI (October 26, 2011) from album BEHIND the TRUTH / NERDHEAD