In this era of superstar DJs and fly-by-night, one-hit wonders, it is always refreshing to find a soul who's paid his dues and never wavered from his belief in why he does what he does - It's all for the music, nothing more, nothing less. Since 1988, one such fellow has been caringly and confidently honing his craft and supporting the sounds he holds dear. Kosta Tsimahidis, aka DJ Cocoe, was touched by music early in his childhood. His father, an avid record collector in the '60s and '70s, opened his ears to the inspiring and adventurous sounds of classic soul, funk, r&b,rock,jazz and disco. These roots gave him the foundation on which he built his love of hip-hop and house music - always conscious, always soulful.Growing up in Southern California, Cocoe has been blessed with the opportunity to not only DJ and produce music, but to promote quality events, beginning with his 1991 hip-hop night that enjoyed a successful 4 year run. In 1998, Cocoe founded Hip-Hop Development and Abstract Workshop. Hip-Hop Development focused on one-off events to promote independent California hip-hop artists and featured Freestyle Fellowship, Living Legends, A.T.U., Latyrx, Divine Styler, Styles of Beyond, Emanon, Beat Junkies, Dilated Peoples, Medusa and DJ Drez, among others. For one special edition of Hip-Hop Development, Cocoe showcased the talents of dub legends Lee 'Scratch' Perry and Mad Professor and topped it off by having Aceyalone and Abstract host the evening - An eclectic and inspiring mix indicative of Cocoe's versatile taste and style. Abstract Workshop was an offshoot of Hip-Hop Development that blossomed into a regular residency for Cocoe and his close musical collaborators, Josh One, Jud Nester and Scotty Coats. Here, the Abstract crew created a place that the Southern California hip-hop community could share their inspiration. As with Hip-Hop Development, Abstract showcased numerous talents such as The Black Eyed Peas, Anti-pop Consortium, Bus Driver, 2Mex, Phife Dawg of Tribe Called Quest, Greyboy, DJ Fatjack, Ricky Rucker, D-Styles and more. Abstract Workshop continues to this day as one of the hottest and longest running hip-hop nights in Southern California. As a further testament to Cocoe's abilities, he has opened for KRS One, The Roots, The Visionaries, Mos Def, Wu-Tang Clan and Dilated Peoples.Equal to his love and commitment to hip-hop, Cocoe regards deep, soulful house music as an essential component of his musical identity. Throughout his career, promoting quality house music has been his mission, whether through his DJing or event production. In the mid-nineties, Cocoe began throwing intimate gatherings known as Deeper Note with his close friend Wally Callerio. As with his hip-hop events, Cocoe's house music events are focused on promoting quality music and DJs from Southern California. His most recent project, Versatile, is his regular event to showcase the many styles of house music that he feels should be appreciated on a wider scale, ranging from deep, soulful New York house to mid-tempo grooves to broken beat and deep electronic grooves. Recent installments of Versatile have featured the likes of Roy Davis Jr., Brett Dancer, Dean DeCosta and Wally Callerio. As Cocoe says, "I'm a beat junkie when it comes to house music. I know the different elements out there and all the different producers that don't get heard by most people. It's up to me to do my part."Cocoe's rhythmic roots extend yet further into his passion for hand percussion, which he has performed for legendary house group, Natural Rhythm, in addition to numerous other bands including the Black Eyed Peas. It is this inherent feel for rhythm and soul that has given DJ Cocoe the opportunity to play alongside some of the most respected names in house music: Little Louie Vega, Marques Wyatt, Derrick Carter, Joe Claussell, Francois K., S.U.M.O., Charles Webster, Mark Farina, Rob Mello, King Britt, Mark Grant, Brett Johnson, Lance DeSardi, JT Donaldson, DJ Harvey, Nick Holder and Doc Martin. Cocoe is unquestionably one the most versatile DJs to step up to the decks. His sets are filled with top-notch tunes from beginning to end, laced together as only a man of his experience can do. Be it hip-hop, house, or something in between, soul reigns supreme.
Residencies: Abstract Workshop, Chat Noir, VersatilePerformed with: Black Eyed Peas @ Smoke Out (congas), Enclave (group with jazz funk legends-turn table manipulations), Aceyalone (dj scratches), Medusa (dj scratches), Mikah 9 (dj scratches), Natural Rhythm (congas & programming)Projects and production: Wally Callerio (percussion), Natural Rhythm
(percussion), Lance Desardi (percussion), JT Donaldson (percussion), Poet Named Life (production, dj, percussion), Haiku de Tat ft. Aceyalone, Abstract Rude, Mikah 9 (dj scratches)Events produced: Abstract Workshop, Hip-Hop Development, Deeper Note,
Versatile, ElevationRadio: Mars, Groove Radio, Double Dip Hip-Hop show, KCRW, KUCI

Record stores: Beat Non Stop, Los Angeles - Buyer
Higher Source Records, Huntington Beach - Buyer