David Garcia, better known as Cookin Soul, is a Grammy Award–winning music producer and DJ from Spain.

At the age of four, his family relocated to Valencia, a culturally rich city on Spain’s southeastern coast where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea. His musical journey began early, inspired by his mother's weekend sessions playing James Brown and other classic tunes on cassette tapes.

Early Influences and Development

Cookin Soul’s love for hip-hop was fueled by his older brother DJ Impe, whose collection of '90s hip-hop and funky breaks inspired him to start experimenting with mixtapes using DJ equipment and vinyl at just nine years old. By fourteen, he was already creating beats with early PC software like Fast Tracker and the PlayStation Music Generator.

Rise to Prominence

In 2002, Cookin Soul bought his first professional music setup and began producing relentlessly. His early exposure on the internet — through his official website and MySpace — connected him with artists, DJs, and A&Rs worldwide. His innovative production style, blending classic sounds with modern hip-hop, quickly drew attention.

In 2004, he released his first mixtape, Remixes Vol. 1, which gained traction online. His breakthrough came in 2005 with Spanish rapper Nach’s double album Ars Magna / Miradas, where Cookin Soul produced four tracks including the single “Una Vida Por Delante” and the classic “Mi Propio Cielo.”

Soon after, he achieved a major milestone collaborating with The Game on the track “Baggage Claim,” featured on one of the rapper’s mixtapes — a groundbreaking accomplishment for a Spanish producer at the time.

Collaborations and Legacy

Cookin Soul has worked with a wide range of artists — from hip-hop legends like Freddie Gibbs, Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller, Nipsey Hussle, Larry June, Nicki Minaj, The Game, Joey Bada$$, Max B, YG, Curren$y, NORE, AZ, Conway the Machine, Jim Jones, and Kool G Rap, to underground figures such as Lord Apex, Tha God Fahim, Raz Fresco, The Musalini and Estee Nack.

Within the Spanish scene, he’s known for collaborations like the duo Los Papasitos with Yung Beef, and the classic album Cookin Bananas with Mucho Muchacho.

In 2013, Cookin Soul won a Latin Grammy for his production work on Mala Rodríguez’s album Bruja, and has since continued producing for some of Spain’s top artists, including Yung Beef, Rels B, Dellafuente, Violadores del Verso, SFDK, Nach, Bejo, Cruz Cafuné, Kaydy Cain, Tote King and many more.

He’s currently developing full collaborative projects with Latin hip-hop stars Alemán (Mexico) and Pablo Chill-E (Chile).

Artistic Style and Contributions

Known for blending soul, funk, jazz, and boom bap, Cookin Soul’s sound pays homage to the golden era of hip-hop while remaining fresh and contemporary. His productions and remixes are celebrated for their soulful character and timeless feel.

His dedication is evident in his vast collection of vintage drum machines and vinyl records, often showcased in his studio videos and on social media.

Discography and Streaming Success

Throughout his prolific career, Cookin Soul has released over 25 Vinyl LPs, 20 remix tapes, 20+ instrumental beat tapes in addition to producing 20+ full EPs and albums with various artists.

In 2022, his solo releases amassed over 38.5 million streams on Spotify, underscoring his global reach and the lasting appeal of his soulful hip-hop sound.

Impact and Recognition

Beyond production, Cookin Soul’s drum kits and sound packs — available on platforms like The Drum Broker — are among the most popular tools for producers worldwide. His beat-making videos have also earned the attention and collaboration of major music brands including Akai, Serato, and Roland, cementing his influence in the global producer community.

Global Touring and DJ Sets

Since 2009, Cookin Soul has toured extensively, performing DJ sets across Europe (Barcelona, Madrid, Ibiza, Paris, Munich, Lisbon, Cologne, Amsterdam, Brussels, and more), as well as in Asia (Tokyo, Osaka, Shanghai, Bangkok, Seoul, Taipei) and Latin America (Quito, Santiago de Chile, Mexico City). His sets range from intimate club shows to major festival stages.

Current Endeavors and Personal Life

Now based in Amsterdam with his wife MC Melodee and their three children, David continues to innovate and collaborate with artists across both mainstream and underground scenes.

His YouTube channel, with over 580,000 subscribers, is a hub for beat tapes, music videos, tutorials, and live sessions — reflecting his ongoing mission to inspire the next generation of producers.