YO-KING (born July 14, 1967 in Toshima) is a Japanese J-pop singer-songwriter signed to Kioon Music. After graduating from Tokyo Metropolitan Koishikawa High School, he studied at the Waseda University School of Education. While there, he formed 真心ブラザーズ with 桜井秀俊 in 1988, and the duo debuted in 1989.
He has also worked under his real name, 倉持 陽一, and in 1991 released a solo album under the name 倉持陽一. In 1992 he formed the hip-hop unit エレファントラブ, later leaving it in August 2000. He then released a solo album as YO-KING in 1999, and his song "Tooi Nioi (遠い匂い)" was used as the opening theme for Gintama.
After 真心ブラザーズ went on hiatus in December 2001, he was active in the summer band O.P.KING in 2003. 真心ブラザーズ resumed activity in May 2005, and in July 2018 he also joined カーリングシトーンズ. He has cited 忌野清志郎 and RCサクセション as major influences.
