“He was at all times the lifetime of the get together”
Californian singer, musician and self-described “disabled disco innovator” Cola Boyy has died, aged 34.
Cola Boyy – actual title Matthew Urango – died peacefully on Sunday, March 17, per his label File Makers on X (previously Twitter). The label wrote: “He was fairly a soul, a person with no age, a childlike spirit with the musicality of an previous legend. His lyrics, his melodies, the sound of his voice: each facet of his music was distinctive and timeless…”
The one and solely Cola Boyy a.ok.a Matthew Urango has handed peacefully final Sunday. He was fairly a soul, a person with no age, a childlike spirit with the musicality of an previous legend. His lyrics, his melodies, the sound of his voice: each facet of his music was distinctive and timeless… pic.twitter.com/BXE5176m1T
— File Makers (@RecordMakers) March 18, 2024
Urango’s supervisor Jack Sills wrote in a separate put up on Instagram: “Anybody who knew Matthew is aware of he had a bigger than life character. He was at all times the lifetime of the get together and will chop it up with anybody. He was additionally one of the vital proficient and right down to earth folks I’ve ever met. His humor and pure charisma endeared him to whoever he met.”
Sills additionally shared that Urango had “simply completed his subsequent album” as Cola Boyy and that the musician “was excited to start out releasing new music this summer time”. Sills added that he’ll work with Urango’s household and File Makers to get Cola Boyy’s music launched posthumously.
Matthew Urango was born with a number of backbone circumstances, together with spina bifida, scoliosis, and kyphosis. In 2018, he started releasing solo music after having performed bass in Sea Lions. That very same 12 months, Cola Boyy’s debut EP ‘Black Boogie Neon’ was launched, and featured the hit singles ‘Penny Lady’ and ‘Buggy Tip’.
Cola Boyy went on to garner the eye of MGMT, who he later toured with, and Air’s Nicolas Godin, who co-founded File Makers. In 2020, Urango featured on the Avalanches’ ‘We Go On’ from their album ‘We Will All the time Love You’. The next 12 months, Cola Boyy launched his debut album, ‘Prosthetic Boombox’, which featured the Avalanches, MGMT’s Andrew VanWyngarden, Nicolas Godin and others.
Urango additionally labored as an activist advocating for incapacity rights, in addition to for folks of color with the organizations Todo Poder Al Pueblo and APOC (Anarchist Individuals Of Color).
Talking to NME in 2021, Urango mentioned of his advocacy work: “I wish to encourage different disabled folks to not be so arduous on themselves, to not be depressed and indignant. I used to be so indignant, rising up, at others round me, and that didn’t remedy my issues. That didn’t make me completely happy. It made me simply bitter. I wish to encourage disabled people who they’ll do something and that nothing can defeat them.”
“Should you’re disabled or when you’re poor, nothing is ever earned by asking properly. They’re by no means going to offer us something once we ask properly. Reforms and issues are received, you need to battle for them and threaten them with, ‘We’re going to maintain coming at you. Should you take this away, we’re going to return at you tougher.’”
He will probably be significantly missed by so many and we ship all our love right this moment to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/7wpkbuiyXw
— The Avalanches (@TheAvalanches) March 18, 2024
Following the information of Urango’s demise, a number of musicians have paid tribute to the late musician. The Avalanches wrote: “We’re deeply saddened to be taught of the passing of our pal and collaborator Matthew Urango @ColaBoyy. Matthew was essentially the most effervescent, hilarious, proficient & passionate man you would ever meet. He was a person of his convictions and of his phrase.”
“He will probably be significantly missed by so many and we ship all our love right this moment to his family and friends.”
Chromeo wrote: “We love you and your music, funky pal.”
Relaxation in Peace @ColaBoyy. We love you and your music, funky pal. 🕊️❤️
— FUNK YOURSELF (@Chromeo) March 18, 2024
Urango’s father, Joseph Urango, wrote on Facebook: “Phrases can not specific the unhappiness and ache in my coronary heart. Matthew lived his life on his personal phrases all of his life. Matthew traveled the phrase performing in so many international locations. Cola Boyy’s music is heard all world wide. I’ve attended a couple of of his performances and as his father felt such deep delight in his accomplishments.”