IAmChino

Cuban-born Jose Garcia, who performs as IAmChino and resides in Miami, first gained widespread notice as the sharp, crowd-energizing DJ for Pitbull. Yet the musician had already turned professional at thirteen. His breakthrough arrived in 2005 when he crossed paths with Pitbull’s manager, Mike Calderón. The two connected immediately; Calderón admired the young artist’s command of dance floors together with his approachable style, refined taste, and vigorous turntable technique. IAmChino, in turn, voiced a clear wish to join Calderón’s circle. That encounter quickly led to bookings at exclusive private functions, which drew further notice and soon translated into slots at major parties, festivals, and concerts alongside a growing list of collaborators. He formally entered Pitbull’s inner circle in 2011 and appeared regularly both onstage and in the studio. Critics singled out his contributions to the 2015 chart-topping, Grammy-winning album Dale. Prior to that release he had already signed with Pitbull’s Mr. 305 imprint, issuing the club track “Amor” featuring Wisin & Yandel. In mid-February of the next year he delivered “Ay Mi Dios,” again through Mr. 305, with Pitbull, Yandel, and Chacal—the last of whom co-wrote the song. The single caught fire in clubs and traveled beyond Miami, where alert radio programmers took notice, reaching audiences across the United States and the Caribbean. Later that summer he issued a follow-up, “Otra” featuring Fuego, which registered on club charts, though “Ay Mi Dios” maintained its hold; by mid-September it had reached the summit of the Latin Airplay chart and landed in the top ten of four additional Latin tallies, among them Hot Latin Songs, Tropical Songs, and Latin Pop Songs. Immediately afterward came “Chemicals” featuring Matilda Thompson. These successes alongside Pitbull and the momentum of his own singles enhanced his standing, opening doors to production and DJ work for Enrique Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez, and Becky G. Early in 2017 his presence was pervasive on Pitbull’s hit album Climate Change, and he confirmed plans for his own solo album later that year.