Cola Boyy worked passionately on his new album, Quit to Play Chess, finalizing its mastering on the very day of his unexpected passing. Now, the release itself stands as his only posthumous statement. Alongside the announcement, his team has shared the music video for “Babylon,” directed by Joey Frank.
“The video premieres exactly one year after Cola Boyy’s tragic passing,” says Frank. “Everything—from the choreography to the location, props, and casting—was shaped by text conversations we shared weeks and days before his sudden departure. Filming took place in Oxnard on Valentine’s Day, coinciding with what would have been Cola Boyy’s 35th birthday.”
Quit to Play Chess blends hip-hop and R&B elements, featuring samples, scratches, brass, and pitched vocals, evolving Cola Boyy’s sound without sacrificing its groovy essence. While his previous album was steeped in disco-funk, this record breaks new ground, offering deeply immediate songwriting.
Cola Boyy’s music remains a powerful voice against ableism, inequality, and xenophobia—always seeking unity over division. The album was crafted alongside collaborators Lewis Of Man, Andrew VanWyngarden (MGMT), Jared Solomon (Remi Wolf, Lola Young, Fousheé), and Nate Fox (Chance The Rapper, Lil Wayne).
The album’s title references Marcel Duchamp’s decision to prioritize chess over art—an echo of Cola Boyy’s own artistic journey and abrupt conclusion. Despite the poignancy of its context, Quit to Play Chess is vibrant, creatively fearless, and deeply reflective of his life.
Matthew Urango, known as Cola Boyy, embraced his identity openly as a disabled artist—living with spina bifida and scoliosis and proudly showcasing his prosthetic leg. Raised in Oxnard, California, his music was informed by his working-class background, local punk influences, and advocacy for social justice.
Initially discovered on Soundcloud by French label Record Makers, Cola Boyy gained recognition through singles like “All Power to the People” and “To Be Rich Should Be a Crime,” earning him tours alongside MGMT and a Coachella performance. His debut album, Prosthetic Boombox (2021), featured notable collaborations with Nicolas Godin (AIR), Myd, The Avalanches, and Andrew VanWyngarden.
Forced to remain in Oxnard during the pandemic, Matthew turned inward, drawing inspiration from his personal experiences for this new record, ensuring his revolutionary message continues to resonate.