Yampapaya's roots began when songwriter/guitarist David James Hoffman moved to China. In Beijing university he formed a multiracial group with musicians from the Orient, Europe, Africa and America. Known as the Beijing Underground. The band achieved fame during tours organized by Deng Xiaoping's son.

David moved to a multiethnic style focusing on Africa with lyrics in English, Lingala and Swahili and was defined by the International Herald Tribune as a "musical melting pot, full of energy, melting together harmonies and rythms of different continents"

David moved to Hong Kong and continued his "musical laboratory" working with "Afrozilia" before going on to form the group which became known as Yampapaya.

David moved back to the USA touring North America from LA to the Rocky Mountains with musicians from Africa, Cuba & South America before going to Rome, italy were the band is curently based.

Yampapaya has been frequently touring Europe during the Spring and Summer months and America during the winter months.