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TheGrefg
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David Cánovas Martínez (Spanish: [daˈβið ˈkanoβas maɾˈtineθ], born 24 April 1997), better known as TheGrefg or simply Grefg, is a Spanish YouTuber and Twitch streamer. With 18.2 million subscribers, he has one of the most-subscribed Spanish YouTube channels,[3] and is among the most-followed Twitch channels with over 11.8 million followers on that platform.
Key Information
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TheGrefg used to hold the Guinness World Record for the most concurrent viewers for a Twitch stream after achieving a peak concurrent viewership of 2,468,668 during the live presentation of his Fortnite outfit on 11 January 2021.[4] This record was broken by Ibai Llanos in 2022 when a total of 3.3 million viewers arrived during La Velada del año 2.[5]
Career
[edit]David Cánovas Martínez[6] was born on 24 April 1997,[7] in Alhama de Murcia, Murcia, Spain,[8] according to several interviews, he began to be interested in the subject of video games since he was a child,[6] he started his YouTube channel on 30 January 2012,[9] when he was 14 years old.[10]
In 2018 he moved to Andorra to pay less taxes.[11][6] In January 2020, Epic Games announced that a TheGrefg-based cosmetic outfit would be added to Fortnite alongside other real-life personalities associated with the game, such as Ninja and Loserfruit.[12] In October 2020, Forbes Spain included Cánovas as the sixth top influencer in Spain for the year,[13][14] In April 2021, was again included on a cover of the magazine Forbes.[15][16]
He will fight at La Velada del Año V against Westcol, which will be held on 26 July 2025 at Estadio La Cartuja in Sevilla.[17]
Writing career
[edit]Martínez has written three books; The first book titled "Rescate en White Angel (The G-Squad)” was released in 2017,[18] the second, titled “Los secretos de YouTube” was released in 2018,[10] and the third book titled "Todo lo que necesitas saber sobre esports” made in collaboration with Goorgo and MethodzSick and released on 4 June 2019, tells the “secrets to succeed in e-Sports”.[19]
Other works
[edit]To date, he has released three songs. The first one, titled "Gracias a ti” was to celebrate his 4 million subscribers. Again, to celebrate 10 million subscribers, he released a song in collaboration with Zarcort and Piter-G. Lastly, to present his Minecraft series Calvaland released a song titled the same.[20] Martínez was one of the presenters along with Willyrex and El Rubius of the program Top Gamers Academy,[21] In January 2022, he held the ESLAND Awards ceremony,[22] in which several Spanish-speaking content creators would receive their recognition.[23][24]
Since 2021 he is the owner of Grefito SLU, a real estate company in Escaldes.[25] An 80-year woman received an eviction denunciation from Grefito, the company lost the trial,[26] and the building was put on sale.[27][28]
Personal life
[edit]In 2018 he started a relationship with Gemma Gallardo,[29] but they split up in the summer of 2022.[30] Then he dated with Sofía Fitness.[31]
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Spanish Influencer | Nominated | [32] |
| 2019 | The Game Awards | Content Creator of the Year | Nominated | [33] |
| 2021 | Esports Awards | Streamer of the Year | Nominated | [34] |
| The Game Awards | Content Creator of the Year | Nominated | [35] |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "TheGrefg". Kick.com. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ "TheGrefg". Twitch.com. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ "Quiénes son los 50 Youtubers más seguidos de España". Marketing 4 Ecommerce - Tu revista de marketing online para e-commerce (in Spanish). 1 February 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ Suggitt, Connie (31 March 2021). "TheGrefg smashes most Twitch stream viewers record". Guinness World Records.
- ^ "Ibai bate récord en Twitch con su velada de boxeo: supera los 2,5 millones de espectadores de TheGrefg". El Español (in Spanish). 25 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
- ^ a b c "TheGrefg, el rey murciano de Twitch que tributa en Andorra y del que todo el mundo habla". ELMUNDO (in Spanish). 12 January 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
- ^ eSports, Movistar. "Todo sobre TheGrefg. Foto, biografía, cumpleaños y últimas noticias". Movistar eSports (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ Catanesi, Elisa M. Almagro, Santiago Cabrera (24 January 2021). "TheGrefg, el 'youtuber' murciano que pulveriza las cifras de audiencia desde Andorra". ElDiario.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 July 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ eSports, Movistar (24 April 2021). "24 datos para celebrar el 24 cumpleaños de TheGrefg". Movistar eSports (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ a b "TheGrefg, showman de la nueva era". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 17 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
- ^ "TheGrefg, el youtuber murciano que tributa en Andorra". La Opinión de Murcia (in Spanish). 5 May 2019.
- ^ Duwe, Scott (15 January 2020). "Loserfruit and TheGrefg join Ninja in Fortnite's Icon Series". Dot Esports. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- ^ "Los mejores 'influencers' de 2020, según Forbes". 20 minutos (in Spanish). 14 October 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- ^ "Los 100 mejores influencers 2020". Forbes España (in Spanish). 1 October 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- ^ "The Grefg llega a la portada de Forbes". Las Provincias (in Spanish). 1 April 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
- ^ "TheGrefg, portada de la revista Forbes: "Mi próximo objetivo es ir al espacio en directo"". Marca (in Spanish). 1 April 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ Barragán, Roberto (10 March 2025). "Ibai suelta la bomba: TheGrefg peleará en La Velada del Año 5 contra un durísimo rival". MeriStation (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ Omaña, Henysbel. "TheGrefg, el español que pasó de simple gamer a romper récords en Twitch". laneta.com (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
- ^ "El libro con consejos para triunfar en los eSports". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 3 July 2019.
- ^ Guiñón, Álvaro (22 September 2020). "Así es el rap de Calvaland". eSports. Movistar eSports. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
- ^ CD, Alex (30 September 2020). "Arranca Top Gamers Academy, el talent show de videojuegos con Rubius, TheGrefg, WillyRex, Ibai y más". Vidaextra (in Spanish). Retrieved 31 December 2021.
- ^ "Los eneros de TheGrefg son premios". Movistar eSports (in Spanish). 18 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ "ESLAND: horario y dónde ver la gala de premios organizada por TheGrefg". Marca (in Spanish). 17 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ "Primera edición de los premios ESLAND". Red Bull (in Spanish). 17 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ Gallén, Pablo (29 February 2024). "Así es el polémico bloque de pisos de TheGrefg en Andorra que ahora pone en venta". El Periódico de España (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ Hernández Téllez, Lydia (28 February 2024). "La justicia andorrana falla contra The Grefg y evita el desahucio de la anciana". Infobae (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ Expósitio J., David (29 February 2024). "TheGrefg pone a la venta el piso de la anciana a la que no ha podido desahuciar". El Español (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ de Dios, Ana (1 March 2024). "TheGrefg anuncia que venderá su edificio de Andorra del que quería desahuciar a una octogenaria". La Verdad (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ J. González, Carlos (10 November 2020). "Gemma Gallardo, la discreta sombra de TheGrefg". Flooxer Now (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Ortiz Cortés, Marina (23 September 2022). "Los streamers TheGrefg y Gemita confirman su ruptura en directo tras meses de rumores". Hola (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Martín Turrón, Mario (12 June 2024). "Sofía Fitness desvela su opinión sobre la polémica 'asociación' de TheGrefg y Karely Ruiz". Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 October 2024.
- ^ "Los Nickelodeon Kids´ Choice Awards 2018 dan a conocer sus nominados". Cine y Tele. 28 February 2018.
- ^ "Esports Awards 2020 | Esports Awards". Esports Awards. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ Hale, Jacob (1 October 2021). "Esports Awards 2021: Categories, nominees & how to vote". Dexerto.
- ^ Sandoval, Alejandro (16 November 2021). "All nominees for The Game Awards 2021 and how to vote". GINX Esports TV.
External links
[edit]
TheGrefg
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early Life
Childhood and Initial Interests
David Cánovas Martínez was born on 24 April 1997 in Alhama de Murcia, a small municipality in the Region of Murcia, Spain.[7][8] Little public information exists regarding his family background or pre-adolescent years, as Martínez has primarily discussed his life in the context of his online career rather than personal childhood anecdotes in available interviews.[9] Martínez developed an early interest in video games during his youth in Murcia, which prompted him to begin experimenting with content creation online around age 14.[6][9] This hobby evolved into uploading gameplay videos to platforms like YouTube by early 2012, marking the inception of his digital pursuits focused on gaming entertainment.[10] His initial forays centered on sharing playthroughs and commentary, reflecting a self-taught passion for interactive media that predated formal professional aspirations.[6]Career Beginnings
Entry into Content Creation
David Cánovas Martínez, professionally known as TheGrefg, created his YouTube channel on January 30, 2012, at the age of 14.[11][12] Prompted by his cousin, he began producing content centered on video games, marking his initial foray into digital media creation.[6] His debut upload, titled "EL PRIMER VIDEO DE MI CANAL," appeared on February 2, 2012, and garnered significant early attention, accumulating millions of views over time.[13] Early videos primarily featured gameplay commentaries, with a focus on titles like Call of Duty, reflecting his personal interest in competitive gaming from adolescence.[14] These modest productions, often self-edited and auto-dubbed, emphasized straightforward playthroughs and reactions, establishing a foundation for audience engagement through relatable enthusiasm rather than polished production values.[15] By consistently uploading gaming-related material, TheGrefg quickly built a subscriber base, transitioning from casual hobbyist to emerging content creator within his first year.[14] This period laid the groundwork for his shift toward broader streaming platforms, though YouTube remained his primary outlet initially.YouTube Growth and Early Success
David Cánovas Martínez, known as TheGrefg, launched his YouTube channel on January 30, 2012, and posted his inaugural video—a multiplayer gameplay session of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3—on February 2, 2012.[16][10] Early content focused on first-person shooter games, with regular uploads demonstrating his engagement in competitive play and commentary. By the end of 2012, his channel had accumulated 1,000 subscribers, marking initial audience retention through persistent content creation.[17] TheGrefg's growth accelerated in subsequent years via diversified gaming videos, including titles popular among Spanish-speaking audiences. Consistent output and interaction with viewers contributed to reaching 100,000 subscribers by April 2014, a milestone celebrated in a dedicated video series outlining his progress.[18] This achievement qualified him for YouTube's Silver Play Button, awarded to channels surpassing 100,000 subscribers, signifying early recognition within the platform's creator ecosystem.[18] Prior to the 2018 surge from Fortnite content, TheGrefg maintained momentum with videos garnering thousands of views, establishing a foundation of loyal followers in Spain's burgeoning gaming community. His approach emphasized authentic gameplay and community feedback, fostering organic expansion without reliance on viral trends during this period.[4]Rise to Prominence
Shift to Fortnite and Twitch
David Cánovas Martínez, known as TheGrefg, began streaming on Twitch in September 2013, initially focusing on various games alongside his YouTube content.[19] His viewership remained modest until 2018, when he shifted emphasis to Fortnite, capitalizing on the game's surging popularity following its battle royale mode launch in late 2017.[4] This transition marked his first significant audience growth, with a notable Fortnite broadcast in March 2018 drawing increased engagement and establishing him as a prominent Spanish streamer in the title.[20] The pivot to Fortnite aligned with its dominance in esports and streaming, where TheGrefg's skillful gameplay and engaging Spanish-language commentary resonated with a growing Hispanic audience. By late 2020, this focus yielded breakthroughs, such as surpassing Ninja's concurrent viewer record with 639,000 watchers during a Fortnite event in December.[21] His streams emphasized competitive play, challenges, and community interactions, differentiating him from earlier general gaming content and driving subscriber gains on Twitch, where he amassed millions of followers.[4] The culmination of this shift occurred on January 11, 2021, when TheGrefg revealed his custom Fortnite skin during a Twitch stream, shattering platform records with a peak of 2,468,668 concurrent viewers—eclipsing prior highs set by Fortnite events and other streamers.[22] This event, promoted heavily across social media and tied to Epic Games' collaboration, underscored Fortnite's role in his ascent, transforming him from a niche creator to a global streaming phenomenon with sustained high viewership in subsequent Fortnite sessions.[23]Record-Breaking Achievements
On January 11, 2021, David Cánovas Martínez, known as TheGrefg, set the then-record for the most concurrent viewers on a single Twitch stream by an individual, peaking at 2,468,668 viewers during a Fortnite gameplay session unveiling a custom skin based on his likeness.[24][5] This achievement surpassed previous benchmarks, including those set during high-profile events like Ninja's collaboration streams, and was facilitated by extensive promotion across social media and collaborations within the Spanish streaming community.[25][26] Earlier, on December 2, 2020, TheGrefg had already broken the Twitch peak viewership record with 660,000 concurrent viewers during a Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 5 "Galactus" event stream, eclipsing Ninja's prior mark of approximately 660,000 from a 2018 collaboration with Drake.[26][27] These streams highlighted TheGrefg's rapid ascent in the Fortnite ecosystem, where targeted hype around exclusive in-game content releases drew massive audiences from his established YouTube following of over 15 million subscribers at the time.[28] The January 2021 record, verified by Guinness World Records, remained the highest for an individual Twitch stream until later surpassed by other creators in multi-streamer events, but it underscored TheGrefg's influence in achieving unprecedented single-channel engagement through strategic content timing and community mobilization.[24][29] No other verified record-breaking feats, such as in subscriber counts or alternative platforms, have been attributed to him in peer-reviewed or official metrics beyond these viewership milestones.[23]Esports and Competitive Gaming
Tournament Participation
TheGrefg has competed in multiple Fortnite tournaments as a player, accumulating approximately $40,381 in total earnings as of April 2025.[1] His participations have primarily focused on solo modes, team-based events, and specialized formats like quizzes, often aligning with his affiliation to Team Heretics.[1] Early in his competitive career, TheGrefg achieved success in Epic Games' Summer Trials 2020, winning the solo Day 2 event on July 12, 2020, for $1,000 and the solo Day 6 event on the same date for another $1,000.[1] These victories occurred during the qualifiers leading into Fortnite Champion Series events, highlighting his skill in high-stakes solo play amid a field of professional and aspiring competitors.[1] In April 2022, he teamed up for the Twitch Rivals Creator Series Fortnite Zero Build tournament, a $450,000 prize pool event featuring prominent streamers.[30] His squad, including partners like VicensHD, placed first overall by securing top-5 finishes across all five matches, demonstrating strong coordination in the no-build format restrictions.[31] More recently, on April 16, 2025, TheGrefg represented Team Heretics in the B-Tier Professor Cup, winning the Fortnite Quiz segment for $282.87 and the Solo Game 5 for $848.61.[1] These results underscore his versatility in blending knowledge-based challenges with direct gameplay competition.[1]Team Affiliations and Kings League Involvement
TheGrefg serves as a co-owner of Team Heretics, a Spanish esports organization founded in 2016 that fields professional teams in disciplines including League of Legends, Valorant, Fortnite, and Call of Duty.[32][33] The organization has expanded internationally, including a partnership with Misfits Gaming for operations under the Miami Heretics banner in the Call of Duty League.[34] While primarily a content creator, TheGrefg has competed under the Team Heretics roster in Fortnite events.[35] In the Kings League, a seven-a-side football league emphasizing entertainment and streamer involvement that began its inaugural season on October 5, 2022, TheGrefg acts as president of Saiyans FC, one of the founding teams in the Spain division.[36][37] Saiyans FC, under his oversight, competes in regular splits featuring unique rules like the "golden card" for substitutions and secret weapons, with TheGrefg occasionally participating on the field and promoting matches via his streaming platforms.[38] The team has secured victories in league play, contributing to the competition's appeal among digital audiences.[39]Other Ventures
Writing and Media Projects
TheGrefg authored his debut novel, Rescate en White Angel, part of the The G-Squad series, published on March 9, 2017, by Montena, an imprint of Penguin Random House.[40] The book follows five recruits undergoing elite soldier training with blank ammunition in the frigid White Angel facility, blending action-adventure elements with themes of teamwork and survival, targeted at young adult readers aged 13 and older.[41] It spans 224 pages and marks his entry into fiction writing, drawing from his gaming background to craft a narrative involving high-stakes challenges in an isolated, extreme environment.[42] In 2018, he released Los secretos de YouTube, a non-fiction guide published by Ediciones Martínez Roca under Grupo Planeta, offering insights into his career trajectory from an ordinary individual to a prominent content creator.[43] [44] The 192-page book covers topics such as the realities of YouTube monetization, the balance between work and hobby in content creation, and personal anecdotes from his rise, including advantages and drawbacks of online fame, aimed at aspiring creators and fans.[45] A Catalan edition, Els secrets de YouTube, followed to reach broader regional audiences.[46] TheGrefg co-authored Team Heretics: Todo lo que necesitas saber sobre esports in 2019 with Goorgo and Methodz, published by Grupo Planeta, focusing on the esports industry through the lens of his organization, Team Heretics. This work provides an overview of competitive gaming structures, strategies, and insider perspectives, extending his media influence beyond personal memoir into educational content on professional esports.[46] These publications represent his forays into literary media, leveraging his platform to share expertise while maintaining a focus on gaming-adjacent themes.Event Hosting and Awards
TheGrefg founded the Premios ESLAND (Esports Awards Latinoamérica y España, Norteamérica y Del resto del mundo), an annual ceremony honoring achievements in content creation across Spanish-speaking regions, which he hosted in its inaugural editions.[47] The first event aired on January 17, 2022, via his Twitch channel, featuring categories such as Clip of the Year and Fail of the Year, and accumulating 3.69 million hours watched.[48] The second edition, held in January 2023, peaked at 1.75 million concurrent viewers—more than double the prior year's audience—and generated over 9.1 million hours watched in 6.5 hours of broadcast.[49][50] These events underscore TheGrefg's role in elevating Spanish-language streaming visibility, with the 2023 gala streamed exclusively on his channel and attracting 1.4 million unique viewers.[50] The Premios ESLAND continued annually, expanding categories to include Streamer of the Year and Best Miniseries by 2024.[51] In addition to hosting accolades, TheGrefg earned YouTube's milestone awards, including the Diamond Play Button for exceeding 10 million subscribers, alongside Gold and Silver variants for prior thresholds. He also held the Guinness World Record for peak concurrent Twitch viewers at 2,468,668 during his Fortnite skin reveal stream on January 11, 2021, though this was later surpassed.[52]Controversies
Legal Disputes and Public Backlash
In January 2024, TheGrefg initiated legal proceedings in Andorra to evict an 80-year-old tenant from an apartment he had purchased in Escaldes-Engordany, intending to use the property personally after relocating there for tax purposes.[53][54] The tenant, who had resided there for years under a long-term lease, claimed protections under Andorran rental laws that prioritize tenant rights in such cases.[55] On February 28, 2024, an Andorran court rejected TheGrefg's demand, ruling that the eviction could not proceed due to the tenant's established occupancy rights, forcing him to either continue renting it out or sell the property as is.[53][55] TheGrefg publicly explained that he had been unaware of the tenant's situation at purchase and expressed frustration, stating in a February 2025 stream that the experience made him consider "detonating that building" out of exasperation with the outcome.[56][54] The case sparked significant public backlash in Spanish media and online communities, with critics accusing TheGrefg of prioritizing personal gain over the vulnerability of an elderly resident, amplifying narratives of streamer entitlement amid his wealth from streaming.[53][57] Coverage in outlets like El Confidencial and ABC highlighted the disparity between his public image as a successful entertainer and the perceived insensitivity, contributing to broader discussions on real estate speculation by influencers in Andorra.[58] Additional scrutiny arose in September 2025 when his former cameraman alleged payment disputes involving collaborations with other YouTubers, prompting TheGrefg to clarify that the issues stemmed from the cameraman's handling of transactions rather than any wrongdoing on his part.[59] In April 2025, a donation he made for DANA flood relief in Spain drew accusations of political alignment, with some labeling him a "far-right YouTuber" despite his denial and emphasis on the humanitarian intent.[60] These incidents fueled ongoing online toxicity, as TheGrefg noted in February 2025 reflections on receiving daily hate related to past controversies.[58]Personal Life
Family Background
David Cánovas Martínez, known professionally as TheGrefg, was born on April 24, 1997, in Alhama de Murcia, a small municipality in the Region of Murcia, Spain.[61][62] His father, Alfonso Cánovas, has appeared alongside him in livestreams and is noted for his interest in cycling. He has a sister, Lidia Cánovas, who has also joined him on streams, contributing to lighthearted family moments shared with audiences. Details about his mother and any additional siblings remain private, with TheGrefg generally shielding his family from extensive public scrutiny to protect their privacy.[63]Relationships and Residence
David Cánovas Martínez, professionally known as TheGrefg, began a relationship with Gemma Gallardo in 2018, which ended in the summer of 2022.[15][64] Following the breakup, he entered a relationship with fitness influencer Sofía Fitness, publicly introducing her during a Twitch stream on November 3, 2024, and confirming their partnership through shared public appearances, including a kiss after his boxing win over Westcol on July 26, 2025.[65][66] In January 2025, he addressed online harassment directed at Sofía, emphasizing the need for greater awareness of hate on social media.[66] TheGrefg has resided in Andorra since 2018, a move motivated by the principality's lower tax rates compared to Spain, as he stated in a April 2025 interview that he would not have relocated if Spanish taxes were more competitive.[67] He owns property there, including a 300-square-meter house involved in a 2024 legal dispute over eviction of a tenant, which a Andorran court rejected.[68][69]Impact and Recognition
Awards and Nominations
TheGrefg has earned recognition for his streaming milestones, including a Guinness World Record for the most concurrent viewers for a Twitch stream by an individual, achieved with 2,468,668 viewers during a Fortnite skin reveal on January 11, 2021.[24][5] He received nominations in prominent esports and content creation awards. At The Game Awards 2019, he was nominated for Content Creator of the Year alongside competitors including Shroud, CouRage, and Ewok, though Shroud won the category.[70][71] In the Esports Awards, he was a finalist for Streamer of the Year in 2022, as announced by the event organizers.[72][73] As a YouTube creator surpassing 10 million subscribers by early 2021, TheGrefg qualified for and received YouTube's Diamond Play Button, one of the platform's highest subscriber-based honors.[74]| Year | Award | Category | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | The Game Awards | Content Creator of the Year | Nominated[70] |
| 2021 | Guinness World Records | Most concurrent viewers for a Twitch stream by an individual | Record holder (2,468,668 viewers)[24] |
| 2021 | YouTube | Diamond Play Button | Awarded (10 million subscribers)[74] |
| 2022 | Esports Awards | Streamer of the Year | Finalist[72] |