DISCO musician and disability activist Cola Boyy has died at age 34.
The pop guitarist, real name Matthew Urango, died on Sunday, his record label Record Makers announced on social media.
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“The one and only Cola Boyy a.k.a Matthew Urango died passed peacefully last Sunday,” the post read.
“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.”
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Urango, the self-described “disabled disco innovator,” was born with spinal bifida, scoliosis, and kyphosis.
The disability activist said he wanted to encourage others like himself not to be so depressed and angry with themselves.
“I want to encourage other disabled people not to be so hard on themselves, not to be depressed and angry,” he told NMW in 2021.
“I was so angry, growing up, at others around me, and that didn’t solve my problems.
“That didn’t make happy. It made me just sour. I want to encourage disabled people that they can do anything and that nothing can defeat them.
He began putting out music in 2018, releasing the extended play Black Boogie Enon that year.
The EP featured the hit singles Penny Girl and Buggy Tip.
Penny Girl reached #72 in Fader Magazine’s 100 best songs of 2018.
Urango’s musical status grew following the release of Black Boogie Enon, as he began touring with the rock band MGMT and Nicolas Godin, half of the Air French duo.
In 2020, Urango was featured on The Avalanches’ single, We Go On, off the Australian electronic group’s third studio album, We Will Always Love You.
The following year, Urango released his debut album, Prosthetic Boombox, which included collaborations with The Avalanches, MGMT’s Andrew VanWyngarden, Godin, and John Carroll Kirby.