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Music News

Cola Boyy, ‘Penny Girl’ Singer & Disability Rights Activist, Dead at 34

The Oxnard, Calif., native's manager, Jack Sills, announced the news on Instagram.

Cola Boyy performs onstage during Weekend 1, Day 3 of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 14, 2019 in Indio, Calif.

Cola Boyy performs onstage during Weekend 1, Day 3 of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 14, 2019 in Indio, Calif.

Scott Dudelson/Getty Images for Coachella

Musician Matthew Urango, best known as his artist name Cola Boyy, has died. He was 34 years old.

The Oxnard, Calif., native’s manager, Jack Sills, announced the news on Instagram on Monday (March 18). “Rest in peace to my brother @colaboyy . Anyone who knew Matthew knows he had a larger than life personality,” he wrote alongside a photo of Urango holding up peace signs. “He was always the life of the party and could chop it up with anyone. He was also one of the most talented and down to earth people I’ve ever met. His humor and natural charisma endeared him to whoever he met. Matthew cared enormously for his family, friends and community which he often expressed through his music. He had just finished his next album and was excited to start releasing new music this summer. I will continue to work with his family and @recordmakers to make sure this happens. Love you homie. Cola Boyy Forever!”


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See the post here.

His label, Record Makers, added in a statement: “He was quite a soul, a man with no age, a childlike spirit with the musicality of an old legend. His lyrics, his melodies, the sound of his voice: every side of his music was unique and timeless… We loved him at Record Makers. We are sending all possible love to Matthew’s family and to his numerous friends. His music and power will remain.”

Urango, a disability rights activist, was born with spina bifida, scoliosis and kyphosis. He played bass for the Sea Lions before he began releasing his own music in 2018. His debut EP, Black Boogie Neon, featured the singles “Penny Girl” and “Buggy Tip.” Cola Boyy’s debut album Prosthetic Boombox came out in 2021, including features from the Avalanches, MGMT’s Andrew VanWyngarden, Godin, John Carroll Kirby, and more.

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This article was first published by Billboard U.S.

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Kendrick Lamar and SZA "luther"
Courtesy Photo

Kendrick Lamar and SZA "luther"

Rb Hip Hop

Kendrick Lamar & SZA Get Introspective in ‘Luther’ Music Video: Watch

The duo will embark on their Grand National Tour next month.

Kendrick Lamar and SZA have dropped off the official music video for their Billboard-chart topper “Luther,” just days before launching their highly anticipated Grand National Tour.

The minimalistic video debuted on Friday (April 11). Directed by Karena Evans — who notably helmed Drake’s videos for “God’s Plan,” “Nice for What” and “In My Feelings” — the new visual finds SZA and K-Dot in deep moments of introspection as the song soundtracks the experience. The video then closes out with the original recording of Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s “If This World Were Mine” cover, which is sampled throughout the song.

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