Yoyoka Soma

Yoyoka Soma (Japanese: 相馬世世歌), known mononymously as YOYOKA (よよか), is a Japanese drummer from Ishikari.[1] In 2018, at age 8, she gained international attention for an online video in which she covered Led Zeppelin's "Good Times Bad Times", which was uploaded to Vimeo as her entry for the 2018 Hit Like a Girl contest.[1][2] As of October 2019, the video has 3.2 million views[3] and David Grohl, Ian Paice, and Robert Plant all praised the video and her drumming capabilities.[4] She has stated that John Bonham, Chris Coleman, and Benny Greb are her favorite drummers[3] and Rage Against the Machine her favorite band.[5]

Yoyoka
Born (2009-10-12) October 12, 2009
OriginIshikari, Hokkaido, Japan
Instrument(s)Drums
Years active2013–present
Websiteyoyoka.jp

Childhood and career

Soma started drumming at age 2 and performing in concerts at age 4.[2] In 2015, she began playing in her family's band, Kaneaiyoyoka,[1] with her parents, Akifumi and Rie Soma.[6] At age 6 during her kindergarten years, she released her first music CD.[7] Soma and her family have discussed how Japan and its traditional school system has been stifling to her music career and aspirations, preventing her from playing drums during her school life because of her higher skill level than the other students. She also spoke out against the idea of collectivism in Japan that prevents individuality and the idea of any individual person standing out as unique.[8]

Performances

When she was 8, she appeared as the youngest performer ever recorded at the Rising Sun Rock Festival and later at Summer Sonic Festival on the stage reserved for Fall Out Boy. She went on to be a guest drummer for Cyndi Lauper on her last tour day at the Tokyo Orchard Hall.[9]

She has appeared twice on the American television talk show Ellen[10] and in advertisements for sports apparel maker Nike, Italian luxury fashion brand Moncler and Japanese casual wear designer uniqlo. Her online videos have been viewed over 57 million times.[1] She was listed by Newsweek Japan as one of the top 100 Japanese people that the world respects.[11]

References
  1. "9-yr-old Hokkaido drummer's viral fame opens up new opportunities overseas". Hokkaido Shimbun. 27 Sep 2019.
  2. Abshire, Emily (11 Jun 2018). "Watch This 8-Year-Old Girl Crush Led Zeppelin's 'Good Times Bad Times'". NPR.
  3. Good Times Bad Times - LED ZEPPELIN / Cover by Yoyoka , 8 year old drummer. Vimeo. 9 Apr 2018.
  4. Murphy, Scott (November 28, 2020). "She has wowed Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters and Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin – meet drum prodigy Yoyoka Soma, 10". South China Morning Post. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  5. Lewis, Jon (March 25, 2020). "Zen Break: Our Favorite Drum Prodigy, Yoyoka Soma, 'Killing In The Name' Of Rage". NPR. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  6. Van Evra, Jennifer (6 Jul 2018). "'I was so happy': 8-year-old Japanese drummer talks viral fame, Robert Plant and the secret to great drumming". CBC Radio.
  7. "Watch 11-year-old Japanese drummer Yoyoka Soma absolutely nail Deep Purple's Speed King". Metal Hammer. January 26, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  8. Murasaki, Kevin (April 19, 2022). "Japanese Society and School System Might Be Failing 12 Year Old Drum Prodigy". Japan Insider. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  9. "Yoyoka Soma – Hit Like A Girl Spotlight – HLAG 2018 Contestant & 2021 Jr Global Ambassador". Modern Drummer. April 4, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  10. Atkinson, Katie (14 May 2019). "Dave Grohl Surprises 9-Year-Old Drummer Yoyoka With Video Message on 'Ellen'". Billboard.
  11. "特集：世界が尊敬する日本人100" [Special feature: 100 Japanese people respected by the world]. Newsweek Japan (in Japanese). April 23, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
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