BIOGRAPHY

Cookie The Herbalist is to be counted amongst Switzerland’s most prolific, successful and relevant Reggae and Dancehall artistes. Thanks to his powerful and energetic performances, the clear, sweet such as ruff and characteristic voice plus the ability to fascinate his audience, Cookie’s live shows are well known and loved in Switzerland and abroad.
Cookie’s (born as Stefano Raschi) musical path began pretty early. Due to the fact he was living in Italy until the age of seven (his father was a professional football player back then), he had to visit a school runned by nuns and sing in a church choir (regular thing in Italy). But actually it was exactly so that he found his love for singing and performing.
A love that grew lots more when, while going through his parents vinyl collection, he found LP’s by Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Garnett Silk, Jimmy Cliff and others. The young Cookie so discovered one of his biggest passions: Reggae Music!
As a teenager, Cookie was very active in the local music scene and involved in different music projects with early local artistes, rappers and soundsystems.
During 2000 and 2006 Cookie toured all over Switzerland with many different acts and also as MC on local soundsystems.
He was to be heard on countless mixtapes and also featured Hip Hop acts on their albums. Besides all that, Cookie improved and developed his singing and toasting/deejaying skills and started pave the way for his solo career.
In 2007 Cookie The Herbalist got recruited by ‚Gideon Production‘ (one of Switzerland’s best addresses when it comes to Reggae).
The same years summer season turned to be a very promising start of this collaboration. As support act on Jamaican Reggae star Jah Mason’s 2007 Europe tour, Cookie appeared at the Rototom Sunsplash in Italy (biggest Reggae festival in Europe, now held in Spain), at the Rumble Reggae Festival in Germany and more.
In the following year, Cookie speedily improved his live performance skills by having the opportunity to open shows and sharing stage with superstars like Ziggy Marley, Julian Marley, Nas & Damian Marley, Sizzla, Anthony B, Perfect Giddimani, U-Brown, Prezident Brown and many more.
In January 2008 the prestigious German label ‚Rootdown Records‘ released ‚Don’t You Tell Me‘ , one of Cookie’s very first official singles, on their ‚I Love‘ – Riddim.
‚Don’t You Tell Me‘ cracked almost every Swiss radio’s daily rotation, and was the beginning of Cookies continuous presence on Swiss radio playlists.
In September 2008 Cookie The Herbalist’s first official EP’The Good Weed‘ appeared. Riddims of European Reggae giants like the Ganglords and the House of Riddim Band contributed the EP’s instrumentals.
The tune ‚Cyaan Stop‘ featuring Cali P, even made it into Red Bull and Salomon’s Freestyle-Ski video ‚Everyday Is A Saturday‘ and earned large international attention, especially in the USA.
Also the EP’s title track ‚The Good Weed‘ is to be mentioned. Up to this day this ganja – anthem is very popular, especially for dubplates.
In 2009, Cookie released two new hot tracks perfectly fitting the Dancehall.  ‚Who Dem‘ , on a Riddim by Swiss Band/Producers ‚The Dubby Conquerors‘ and the energetic ‚Stories Pon Stories‘ on Weedy G / African Beat’s  ‚Bubbler‘ – Riddim selection.
Later the same year, Gideon Production released the Hip Hop -flavoured track ‚Words‘. A song that is still getting all hands in the air anywhere it gets performed.
After countless shows and studio sessions, an outstanding EP and a half a dozen single releases, it was long overdue to present Cookie’s debut album ‚Like A Tree‘ to the public in 2010. ‚A Girl Like You‘, a sweet lovers tune alongside the lovely Jamaican singer Sophia Squire, announced the album and hit like a bomb. Even weeks before its official release, the song received huge airplay on Radio DRS 3 (now SRF3), Switzerland‘s no.1 radio station for urban and mainstream music.
‚A Girl Like You‘ became a summer hit in Switzerland and entered the Swiss Single Charts which brought daily rotations on almost every Swiss radio station.
‚Like A Tree‘ was sold out three times in Swiss music stores.
In Germany the album was re-released and distributed by ‚Rootdown Music‘.
The album kept Cookie touring all over Switzerland, Austria, Germany and several other European countries for over two years in a row. It was a full success! More than 120 shows were played in this short period of time.
In 2011 ‚Like A Tree‘ and ‚A Girl Like You‘ even brought Cookie a Swiss Music Awards –nomination in the category ‚Best Talent‘.
Meanwhile, Cookie’s voice was also to be heard on various Riddim-Selections, such as Weedy G’s (CH) ‚Roadster’ -riddim (featuring artists like Beenie Man, Perfect Giddimani). On Riddim Yard’s (DE) ‚Chupacabra‘ selection with the song ‚Waan Everything‘ (video here) and on Blend Mishkin’s (Greece) ‚ Mama Proud‘ – selection with ‚Straight To The Top‘. Also in 2011, the refreshing single ‚Someday‘ , reflecting Cookie’s musical journey and accompanied by a very humorous and creative video clip, which both made it into numerous radio and TV station’s airplay, announced Cookie The Herbalist’s next album.
Then in late 2012, the long avaited second album ‚Stand Tall‘ finally entered stores. This production definitely marked a next step in the right direction such as a next big step in Cookies career.
His songwriting, lyrical and singing skills improved once more and with ‚Stand Tall‘ the singer presented his audience a very versatile album including tunes going from classic Roots to Lovers Rock, One Drop up to modern Dancehall. Even big combinations with Jamaican superstars Sizzla Kalonji, Luciano, Prezident Brownn such as intros by veteran Deejay U-Brown are to be found on it. The ‚Stand Tall‘ album was followed by a special release tour through some of the most important clubs and festivals in Switzerland. Cookie once more convinced the audience with his performing and singing skills, energy as well as continually improving voice shades.
The tour through Swiss clubs got extended and The Herbalist presented his fans a variety of brand new songs. Moreover, a range of new material for various international labels and producers was recorded.
At the end of 2013 Cookie felt that a break from cold Europe was overdue, so once more, he flew to Jamaica to relax his mind and get a refuel of inspiration. While there, he also spent some weeks at ‚Inspired Music Concepts‘– studio in Kingston, where some great new songs were created. One of them ‘I Wish’, released in August 2014 and accompanied by an eye catching video clip shot in the streets of downtown Kingston. The video and song gained great response and solid attention by the Jamaican such as European crowd and the clip was broadcasted on Swiss and Jamaican TV stations. The single also got a pleasant feature in Europe’s biggest Reggae magazine RIDDIM.
Still in Kingston, Cookie got featured and interviewed on most of Jamaica’s top radio stations like Hitz92 FM, Fame FM and Suncity Radio. Jamaican major newspapers like the ‘Jamaican Observer’and ‘Jamaica Star’ reported about him. The videos to the songs ‚Someday‘ and ‚Stand Tall‘, as well as the little older ‚Inna Mi Car‘, were broadcasted by Jamaican TV channel CVM and on Swiss national TV SF2. Both places the clips and songs received very positive feedbacks. This one specific visit, clearly paved the way for Cookie’s name, music and presence on the Caribbean island.
Back in Switzerland, the Herbalist surprised again, this time with over 30 explosive band- and sound shows such as a series of awesome and very soulful acoustic shows. In addition, a short tour with his ‚Gideon Production‘ colleagues Baba The Fayastudent and Redwan Fayawan, appearing as the Gideon Allstars was successfully held. By the end of 2014, Cookie voiced a variety of new songs for bands and producers like Boomrush (‚‚Vibes Like These‘), Edelholz Music (‚Nah Get Mi Vex‘), Inspired, WeedyG/VPal to name a few.
In December 2014 Cookie went back to Jamaica, where, besides visiting friends and writing new songs, he recorded a not yet released combination with legendary Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry.
In January 2015, the song‘Promises’ on Weedy G Soundforce’s ‚Gate7‘ – Riddim, was released by VP Records/VPal.
This song attained good attention in the international Reggae scene and even got premiered on Swiss National Radio SRF3’s Reggae Special. That same year the cultural Rasta song ‘Cool & Peaceful Vibes’ got recorded for French label Head Creator. It was very liked by the Reggae audience and received positive response from different international Reggae stations. Subsequently the melodic reality song ‘Mek A Change’ (Weedy G / VP Records) and the smash single ‘Rise & Shine’ (Inspired Music Concepts) were released. End of October 2015 Cookie voiced a slightly dubby, riddim named ‚Never Stop‘ for a selection by Swiss Label Uppressors Productions / Ben Nicefield. The selection also features a good friend of Cookie, the inventor of Dub Lee Perry.
Cookie’s contribution to the project, a bittersweet, melancholic love song also by the title ‚Never Stop‘ is to be counted as next successful ballad where Cookie shows a new facette of his silky voice. A very artistic video clip, starring beautiful Swiss actress Soraja Trigo, was shot to it. The video got broadcasted on MTV Switzerland, Swiss National TV SF2 and also even premiered and broadcasted on Hype TV Jamaica.
After spending some other months in Jamaica, shooting new video clips, promoting his music and projects, giving interviews, working a number of stages and recording the earworm ‚Let My People Go‘ with young Jamaican Reggae talent Torch, Cookie The Herbalist made it back on European soil in March 2016 to bring his fans his newest candy the ‚COOKIEBOX‘. It includes a multifaceted compilation of some of the best songs recorded during the past two to three years, plus titles never heard before. Get it here!
2016 turned out to be a very pleasant year in terms of music. The uplifting Reggae song ‚Shining Star‘ to which a colorful video clip was shot at ‚Help Jamaica‘, a library/school in Cassava Piece, Kingston, became a true hit. The video was premiered by numerous Jamaican TV stations such as TVJ, Hype TV and CVM. On national TV station CVM, it even entered the YVP (YourVideoPick) – Charts where it made its way to the very top on position No.1, where it stayed for over 3 weeks in a row! A historical moment in the artistes career! Also ‚Let My People Go‘ rejoyed a remarkable success. Its video clip, shot in the Ghetto community of Stand Pipe in Kingston, entered the Hype TV – Hot Pic – Charts (text message voting) and made it to position No. 4, where it lasted for about a week! Both video clips also got broadcasted on Swiss TV stations like Joiz TV and SRF2. In fall 2016, the Antiguan TV station VEMTV held a ‚Cookie The Herbalist – Day‘, broadcasting the artist’s video clips back and forth the whole day! In summer and fall 2016 Cookie The Herbalist worked stages in clubs in and outside Switzerland. He also toured as special guest with Swiss Reggae Bigband ‚Fusion Square Garden‘ (which has two songs with Cookie, doing pretty well on Swiss radios). In Stuttgart, Germany, Cookie and Jamaican artiste Perfect Giddimani delivered a literally electrifying show for ‚City Lock‘ one of Germanys top soundsystems. A noteworthy performance was also held at Swiss Reggae Festival ‚Lakesplash‘, where Cookie once more, took the audience by storm. Also Switzerlands biggest Reggae Festival ‚Reeds‘ came into the enjoyment of an extraordinary performance.
The same year, the prolific artist voiced a big bunch of riddims for a range of different labels and producers. One of the highlights among them, is the soulful ‚Seen It All‘ recorded for Perfect Giddimani’s label Giddimani – Records. It earned worldwide airplay and is one of the top songs on the ‚Horn Of Africa‘– riddim selection. Winter was back and Cookie decided to leave cold Switzerland to fly back to Jamaica. There, besides enjoying the island’s beauty, the artist was very diligent and recorded a bunch of new songs, shot two new videos for songs that will be released in 2017, promoted his music and much more. In January 2017, the Singjay performed twice at ‚Reggae By The Sea‘ in Negril, where he had the honour to sing and share stage with the legendary King Yellowman. The Dancehall music icon, liked Cookie’s voice and style so much that he gave him the nickname ‚White Sizzla‘. Cookie was again to be seen and heard at ‚Vynil Thursdays‘ in Kingston. Songs of him were played by legendary Stone Love Sound at Wedi Wedi –Wednesdays‘ and by various other Soundsystems in various other locations.
Once more it was a joy and honour for Cookie to realise how some of his songs are very well known and well-received in Jamaica.
In April 2017, Inspired Music Concept released the song ,Mountain’, featuring Phantom IMC and Cookie. In the following Month the summer hit ‘Wine Dat Ting’ also got released by Inspired Music Concepts. The energetic and very danceable tune is already rejoicing big attention internationally and got premiered in Switzerland on National Radio SRF3’s Reggae Special.
In June 2017 Cookie voiced the uplifting positive song „Live Up“ on Giddimani Records Riddim-selection „Kenyakibera“ also starring artistes like Perfect Giddimani and Lutan Fyah.
In August 2017, „EAZE!“ the long avaited combination track with the living legend Lee ‚Scratch‘ Perry, such as a colorful video clip to it was released. The song entered the „Global Reggae Charts“ on position No. 20 , and is also rejoycing several plays on worldwide Radio Station’s heavy rotations (over 500 spins on 96 Radio stations in 23 countries already)! Its video clip got over 10’000 views in less than a week and now counts around 37’000 views and counting! Good response in such a short period of time!
In September and October 2017, Cookie had the opportunity to accompany his friend and teacher Lee Perry on a tour. So, the two artistes could also presented their song collaboration to audiences in the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark. The tour was a real blast!
Just a month after „EAZE!“ , in September 2017 a next great song „How Many Times“ was released by renown austrian Label House Of Riddim (Sam Gilly). Simultaneously an amazing and music video to the song, shot in Kingston’s Blue Mountains and in the historical yard of famous Loversrock singer Sugar Minott’s yard (Jungle, Kingston), was premiered on www.reggaeville.com and rejoyced of over 11’000 (and counting) views in just 3 weeks time! As to see in the video clip, Cookie’s face is now also to be seen on one of the world most famous mural paintings, in Sugar Minott’s yard! Great honour!
In November Cookie’s music videos even entered Kenya’s Music TV’s ‚WERU TV‘ playlist and are broadcasted daily. In the same month a new, lyrically intense song „TWISTED“ got released to the public. The song was recorded for Foundation legend I-Kong’s Tabernacle Records, and got large forwards especially in the UK.
„EAZE!“ the hit song by Cookie and his teacher Lee ‚Scratch‘ Perry made it on an international compilation „Tropical House Cruises To Jamaica“ (Amada Records/Contractor Music Group), also starring big names like Ed Sheeran, Wyclef Jean, Sean Paul, Sean Kingston, Chronixx, Sizzla, Capleton, Damian & Stephen Marley along others. This compilation, just short time later, in december 2017  entered the Reggae BILLBOARD charts on position #2 !! What a great way to end the year!! Oh I forgot, also in december, Cookie had the pleasure to fly to Athens, Greece to perform for his greek fans at Athen’s own „Red Sea“ – Reggae Club.  And even more, that same month, a next big song got released „PUSHIN FORWARD“, recorded for Yard 127 Records Jamaica. A good song to end this good year with a very uplifting vibe and message!
2018 started very well too! „Tropical House Cruises to Jamaica“ , on which Lee Perry’s and Cookie’s song „EAZE!“ Is featured on, went on top ranking position #1! where it is still lasting for over one month’s time already! Early january, already a next new song „Feel The Vibe“ from Netherlands’s upcoming Reggae-Pop starlet Nienke Crjins alongside Cookie giving the song his remarkable stamp, came the audience’s way. After a couple more voicings, shows and performances, The Herbalist flew to Jamaica again to relax his body and mind and find the right inspiration for new projects and to continue this new year in full effect! In Kingston besides presenting some of his most actual song material at Vinyl Thursdays and several other Parties, Jams and stageshows, he also shot a music video to „BACK YAWD“ a new song he voiced for one of Perfect Giddimani’s label ‚Giddimani Records‘ newest riddim selections the „Civilrights Riddim“.
In 2018 the next good news came Cookie’s way the mentioned compilation-album „Tropical House Cruises To Jamaica“ wich is featuring „EAZE!“ the hit song by Cookie and Lee Perry, is now getting real chances for a Grammy – Nomination! Wow!
In Summer 2018, The Swiss Reggae Festival „Lakesplash“, where this year Cookie was the surprise opening act for one of his old friends and teachers Jah Mason, and again he brought real fire to the swiss lake shore. Also many other festivals such as the Openair Malans in Switzerland, had the pleasure to have Cookie as one of their main acts on stage. Besides a bunch of Swiss Openairs and Festivals, Cookie also accompanied Lee Perry on a Festival Tour again, such as (again after his own show a few years ago), at the huge „Uprising Festival“ in Bratilava (Slovakia).

The very prolific such as determined artist is actually spending time in the studio to write on new tracks for various Riddim-selections, singles
and new tunes and some suprises.

Cookie The Herbalist is now looking forward to a prosperous continuation of the year and of course to get the chance to perform on as many festivals and stage shows as possible in Europe and worldwide this coming season and in the future of course.
He’s also looking forward to a promising fall and winter show-season!
For bookings and inquiries: Find link on this webpage!
2021 will bring a lot more new releases and surprising news.
Stay tuned!
He’s ‚on fire‘,  willing and ready to please the audience with his latest songs and very vibrant new program!
See you soon in your city or town!