David Rees

Originating from Spain with British roots, this folk-pop performer who favors the ukulele cultivated millions of followers across video platforms throughout the late 2010s. David Rees entered the world in Malaga during 1994, after which his family relocated northward to Zafra in Badajoz province. Although encouraged toward musical studies from childhood, he opted instead for a psychology degree at Salamanca University. While based there he began posting online clips featuring both well-known covers and his original material. Self-released tracks including “La Ciudad Eterna” and “Fácil” reached major streaming platforms starting in summer 2017, yet it was the July release “Ella y Él” that drew widespread attention. The next May he delivered his debut EP Ojos, marking his first outing on Warner Music Spain, and additional 2018 singles further cemented his popularity.

Rees issued the February 2019 single “De Ellos Aprendi,” which accumulated more than 130 million streams even before an alternate rendition surfaced on his 2020 debut album Amarillo. He described the entire promotional phase leading to that album—encompassing his summer 2019 festival appearances and preceding singles—as his “yellow period,” a theme reflected in the lyrics, artwork, and videos for tracks such as “Corazón de Limón” and “¿Abejas?” When Amarillo arrived in June 2020 it built upon the polished pop techniques already evident in its advance releases. Having moved beyond solo ukulele accompaniment, Rees adopted a more refined presentation while preserving an aura of unforced simplicity.