Cola Boyy

Matthew Joseph Urango (February 14, 1990 – March 17, 2024), known professionally as Cola Boyy, was an American musician and disability activist based in Oxnard, California. His debut EP, Black Boogie Neon, was released in 2018. His debut album Prosthetic Boombox was released in 2021. Urango toured and collaborated with MGMT. His music has been described as belonging to the disco genre. NME compared his sound to "a disco ball melting or the after-effects of some particularly potent hallucinogenics".

Life and career

1990–2018: Early life and education Matthew Joseph Urango was born in Oxnard, California, on February 14, 1990; from birth, he had spina bifida, kyphosis, and scoliosis, as well as a club foot. Urango had a non-disabled twin brother.

Urango said that he "basically taught [himself]" to play piano at his grandmother's house as a child. Before Cola Boyy, Urango played second guitar for indie pop band Sea Lions.

Cola Boyy released his debut single "Penny Girl" in July 2018. It featured a video by David Luraschi set in Oxnard, on the video Urango spoke to the Fader saying, "This is not just my world, but a part of me that's so vulnerable. All my differences are on the table, and my song plays in the background. Oxnard has so many bright colors and faces, it shows in the video. Isn't it nice?"

The track was ranked #72 in Fader Magazine "100 best songs of 2018".

In August 2018, "Buggy Tip" premiered on Vices Noisey.

Cola Boyy released his debut EP Black Boogie Neon in September 2018. The EP includes earlier releases "Penny Girl" and "Buggy Tip". The name of the EP comes from an early demo track about a fictional club of the same name where disabled people can enjoy themselves. He also was invited to perform at Coachella 2019 on the Sonara stage.

2020-21: Work with The Avalanches, MGMT, & Prosthetic Boombox In 2020, Urango appeared on "We Go On", a single from The Avalanches' third album We Will Always Love You alongside Mick Jones. The collaboration led to further work with the group on his debut album. Prosthetic Boombox, released on Record Makers in June 2021, featured guest appearances from Nicolas Godin of Air, John Carroll Kirby, Myd, Andrew VanWyngarden of MGMT and The Avalanches. Urango explained that the song is about his experience growing up as a disabled person. The Guardian gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, describing the record as a "delirious blast of disco, funk, house and psychedelia".

2025: Quit To Play Chess The second and final Cola Boyy album, Quit To Play Chess, was released on May 23, 2025 on Record Makers. The album title is a reference to Marcel Duchamp who notably transitioned away from art to chess late in his career.

Political views Multiple features about Cola Boyy as a musician have made reference to his left-wing activism, which he became involved in around the time he began making music as Cola Boyy. Urango became politicized after participating in a radical reading group that he was invited to by a friend. He organized with Todo Poder Al Pueblo, a collective that advocates for immigrants and workers He was also a member of APOC (Anarchist People of Color), which helps to organize free punk rock concerts accessible to all ages.

Death Urango died on March 17, 2024, at his Oxnard home at the age of 34. No cause of death was disclosed.

Discography Studio albums Year Album details 2021 Prosthetic Boombox Released: June 18, 2021 Label: Record Makers Format: Vinyl, digital download

Year Album details 2025 Quit to Play Chess Released: May 23, 2025 Label: Record Makers Format: Vinyl, digital download

EPs Year Album details 2018 Black Boogie Neon Released: September 21, 2018 Label: Record Makers Format: Vinyl, digital download

Featured appearances Year Single Album 2018 "Muchas" (Myd featuring Cola Boyy) Non-Album Single 2020 "Foundation" (Nicolas Godin featuring Cola Boyy) "Concrete and Glass" "We Go On"(The Avalanches featuring Cola Boyy) We Will Always Love You 2021 "Unity"(Juan Wauters featuring Cola Boyy) Real Life Situations "Beat 100" (Benny Sings featuring Cola Boyy) Beat Tape II "Fun Machine" (Frank Leone, Tear Drop Estates Featuring Cola Boyy) Sundrop 2025 "I Need It From You"(Blasé featuring Cola Boyy) BLABLABLA