Yoko Ihaza is Vice President of Business Development & Legal Affairs at Create Music Group. As the company’s first in-house music attorney, she built and leads its Business Affairs team, overseeing legal strategy across artist deals, joint ventures, licensing, distribution, and strategic partnerships.

During her tenure at Create, Yoko has led the drafting and negotiation of numerous multi-million-dollar transactions, including the GoodTalk joint venture with Jonny Shipes. She has also played an integral role in Create’s partnership with YSL, advising on the overall partnership and leading the drafting and negotiation of matters relating to new music involving Young Thug, including Slime Language 3, and Nine Vicious. She also advised on Create’s $300 million Nettwerk transaction and negotiated deals involving Jason Derulo, Omarion, Keri Hilson, Vory, Gashi, and Durand Bernarr.

Yoko previously negotiated deals under Create’s Worldstar Hip Hop partnership, including Ice Spice’s breakout deal. She also transformed Create’s contracting infrastructure and built its internal music legal team.

Previously, Yoko practiced music and corporate law. She earned her J.D. from Loyola Law School Los Angeles, graduating Order of the Coif and serving as Executive Editor of its flagship law review. She is a Recording Academy member and served as keynote speaker for Loyola’s 2024 Black Graduation.