Singer/songwriter Yoli Cotray was born and raised in the lower east side of Manhattan in NYC. She grew up with music; her father always played the congas while singing and listening to Motown; she was constantly surrounded by it. The impression of soul music is heard throughout her melodic arrangements and lyrics. "As I realized my growing passion and internal fulfillment with music, I went back to listening to what I grew up hearing, the kind that I could actually learn from". Looking up to artist such as Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Prince, Sia, Beyonce and the almighty Jennifer Holliday, has had an influence on the genre she felt most connected to. "R&B; was my niche, it was a part of me". During that time she went on countless auditions, slept on the streets for days at a time, all to turn a dream into reality. She then began pushing herself to write lyrics learning she had so much more to say beyond using her instrumental voice. "Growing up in New York City is quite the experience... my writing is inspired by all of the things that I've lived, breathed, felt, been through, watched people go through and learned from, and the fact that I can use all of my life’s joys and trials to make art is what gives it it's substance"
Currently Yoli Cotray is in the studio writing and recording new material for her E.P and working on placement projects with other emerging artist and songwriters.