Koolade


Matko Šašek, also known as Koolade is a Croatian hip-hop, electronic, and urban music producer. Born in Zagreb in the late 1970s, he began his music career in the late 1990s. Along with other members of the Blackout family he played a major role in establishing hip-hop genre in the Croatian and regional music scene, rocking charts, record sales and winning a few national music awards in Croatia and Bosnia.
Later he and his partner/manager Phat Phillie realized that his production would make a good export, and continued to expand his work throughout Europe and the U.S., where he is perhaps best known for his production work on Masta Ace's "Beautiful" on the album A Long Hot Summer, as well as a number of other prominent American hip-hop artists such as Ghostface Killah and Masta Killa of the Wu Tang Clan, Sean Price, Xzibit, Sadat X, Styles P, Diamond D, Das EFX, Peedi Crakk, Tony Touch, Rah Digga, Too Short, Bow Wow, and others. Koolade is locally and regionally known for his collaborations with the Croatian hip-hop groups Tram 11 and Bolesna Braća, as well as Bosnian rappers Edo Maajka and Frenkie.

Early years

Born on 1 June 1978 in Zagreb, Croatia, he showed great interest in music from his early days. Growing up in the 1980s he listened to artists like Queen, Michael Jackson, U2, Depeche Mode, New Order, Human League, Dire Straits etc. In 5th and 6th grade he took piano lessons, but quit after two years due to a lack of interest in classical music education. He did not play the piano again, until the start of his professional music career in the mid/late 1990s.

Hip Hop

In the years 1989/1990 his sister introduces him to Hip Hop music which he initially hates, but after a year or so, Hip Hop music becomes his obsession. Artists like Run-DMC, Public Enemy, N.W.A., Ice Cube, EPMD would very soon take over his tape deck. Due to a few shows like MTV's Yo! MTV Raps, Rap Attack, and his future manager Phat Philly's own Blackout Rap Show on Radio 101, he keeps track of the international scene and all the fresh new releases. Soon enough he starts forming his first high school demo bands of pretty much no significance like G-Style and Ill Behavior. Having interest in both rapping and beatmaking he makes his first tracks. Although those would end up being just tries and attempts, but a good practice for his later work.

Blackout

As Hip Hop scene would start resonating more and more with the local kids in Croatia during the early/mid 1990s he starts hangin around clubs and people playing, promoting and making Hip Hop music. Hearing the local artist's demos being played on Blackout Rap Show, he wasn't overwhelmed with the production on those, and decides he wants to contribute to the scene with his musical talent as a beat-maker and producer. Eventually he focuses on beat-making and production, and gets embraced by the local scene very quickly, due to the quality of his material. Very soon he becomes a member of the Blackout Project, the DJ's, MC's and beat-makers revolving and evolving around the Blackout Rap Show. In 1998, his 1st production credit release, which marked the start of his professional career, were two tracks by Tram 11 "Des Mozges" & "Kog je briga za vas", on Blackout Project's "Project Impossible" album. He collaborates with many soon to be renowned local and regional hip hop artists like Tram 11, Sick Rhyme Sayazz aka Bolesna Braća, El Bahattee, Nered & Stoka, Edo Maajka, Frenkie, Shorty, Elemental etc... Meaning, they all make history together, rockin the charts and sales on a mainstream level. In the following years, he gains respect not just in the hip hop scene, but throughout the local, regional, and European urban music scene. In the Balkans region he enjoys a legendary status. He and his manager Phat Phillie continue to work up to date, having a strong bond as partners in crime, and continue shopping and delivering the world music scene with some of that Koolade, placing his music worldwide. He produced "Beautiful" by Masta Ace.

Media and marketing

Being a music producer and sound engineer, Koolade does and scores quite a few commercials, locally and worldwide, and copyrights his music in the world of media, TV and marketing. Some of the references are H&M, Nivea, Alizee, EA Sports, Y2K, and TV shows like So You Think You Can Dance & Ugly Betty etc.

Recent

Today Koolade continues to produce for other acts as he always used to. One of the recent ones he is affiliated with would be Kandžija, High5, Geralt iz Rivije, Frenkie, Kontra, and the whole of Zagreb's and regional underground scene.
His 2016 single "Say Nothing" featured Rah Digga, Sean Price, and Tony Touch, and was released on Duck Down Music.
Koolade also has a stream of instrumental EP's, singles and albums, genre wise ranging from beats, alternative hip-hop, electronic beats to future funk. Since 2016, he's been affiliated with a US label Blvnt Records. His music got picked up and played by many international podcasts and radio shows such as Soulection, Voyage Funktastique and WeFunk.
He also performs his music live, which includes live sampling, fx tweaking, playing bass lines, leads and talkbox.

Awards and recognition

In 2007, Los Angeles-based URB magazine named Koolade one of the top 100 best up-and-coming urban artists, along with artists like M.I.A. and Block Party.

Discography

TitleRelease TypeLabelYearFeatured SongsFeatured Artists-
Koolade Presents...12" EP singleBlackout Entertainment/Wordplay2001Survival b/w Hate Me TooMasta Ace, Strick-
Beautiful b/w Follow12" EP singleBlackout Entertainment/ABB2004Beautiful b/w FollowMasta Ace, El Da Sensei-
Get Addicteddigital EP Blackout Entertainment / Foundation Media2009Get AddictedJ-Ro-
You & Yours b/w Philly Morningdigital EP Blackout Entertainment / Foundation Media2010You & Yours b/w Philly MorningMaylay Sparks-
The Makingsdigital EP Blackout Entertainment / Foundation Media2011The MakingsDiamond D, Sadat X-
No More Musicdigital EP Blackout Entertainment / Foundation Media2011No More MusicStyles P-
Beautifuldigital single re-releaseBlackout Entertainment / Foundation Media2011BeautifulMasta Ace-
Koolade Beats Rockydigital LP Blackout Entertainment2012...Maylay Sparks, Peedi Crakk, Rasheeda B, Lovro Ravbar-
All Round Phillydigital EP Blackout Entertainment / Foundation Media2012All Round Philly b/w First DatePeedi Crakk, Maylay Sparks, Rasheeda B-
Walking on a Chancedigital EP Universal Music2012Walking on a ChanceZebra Dots-
Walking on a ChanceLP Universal Music2012...Zebra Dots-
Don't Trydigital EP Universal Music2013Don't Try original + remixesZebra Dots-
Don't Try ft. SevdahBabydigital EP Universal Music2013Don't Try Sevdah Baby RemixZebra Dots, SevdahBaby-
Outta My Mind/Pokvareni Telefondigital EP Universal Music2013Outta My Mind, Pokvareni TelefonZebra Dots-
Koola od karatadigital LP Koolade Productions2014...Koolade-
Juice Crew Special EP ft. Masta Ace & Craig Gdigital EP Koolade Productions / Blackout Entertainment Croatia / Foundation Media2014Love Crazy ft. Masta Ace & Strick, From The Soul ft. Craig GKoolade, Masta Ace, Craig G, Strick-
Park St. EPdigital EP Koolade Productions / Blackout Entertainment Croatia / Foundation Media2015...Koolade-
After The Storm EPdigital EP Koolade Productions / Blackout Entertainment Croatia / Foundation Media2015...Koolade-
Fallin EPdigital EP Koolade Productions / Blackout Entertainment Croatia / Foundation Media2015...Koolade-
Daze EPdigital EP Koolade Productions2015...Koolade-
Swan Pond EPdigital EP Blvnt Records2015...Koolade-
Pay Me What You Owe Medigital singleBlvnt Records2015Pay Me What You Owe Me Koolade and Ben Bada Boom-
Greyscale EPdigital EP Koolade Productions2016Avalan, Feelings get hurtKoolade-
Night Shifts EPdigital EP Blvnt Records2016Songs @ 2AM, Moon Thug, Nite Moth, The Lamp Lamp, Pod to Venus ft. Robot Orchestra, The Night shifts, Dawn YawnKoolade, Robot Orchestra-
Say Nothing digital singleDuck Down Music2016Say NothingRah Digga, Sean Price, Tony Touch, Koolade-
Eastern Lights EPdigital EP Blvnt Records2016Eastern Lights, Avenue Feel, Moving into LightKoolade-
Od pješaka do raketedigital albumBassivity Digital2016...Burky x Geralt iz Rivije x Koolade-
Swag Bag EPdigital EP Blvnt Records2016Took off, Gimme a MinuteKoolade-
Kune i Dinaridigital singleAristokrat Music2016Geralt iz Rivije, Kendi, Koolade-
Živim po svoem ft. Žugi & Riđi Riđ digital singleGeralt iz Rivije / Koolade Productions2017Geralt iz Rivije, Koolade, Žugi, Riđi Riđ-
Papirni avionialbum Aristokrat Music2017Kendi, Koolade, Wikluh Sky, Nensi-
Jarundigital singleKoolade Productions2017Sinke Fresh, Burky, Koolade-
Bistadigital singleGeralt iz Rivije / Koolade Productions2017Geralt iz Rivije, Koolade-
Nodigital albumKoolade Productions2018AAY, In a Dream, Kooloma Rinolade, Lotus Blossom, NO, Rainstorm, Tzar Hun, Straight Talk, Come up a StarRinoma, Koolade-
Purple Orangedigital albumBlvnt Records2018Purple Intro, Let's use Hands now, Stalling, Reminisce Sunshine, Purple Orange, Orange Peel, Walk Away, December, Purple OutroKoolade-
Goodlifedigital singleKoolade Productions2018Geralt iz Rivije, Koolade-
Palmviewdigital singleKoolade Productions2018Koolade-
NASAdigital singleKoolade Productions2018Koolade-
Can I kick It ft. Tibordigital singleKoolade Productions2019Tibor, Koolade-
Benchesdigital albumKoolin Out2019Benches, Liquidated, Bring You Flowers, A Bird called Bossa, Thumpin' in a Daaze, How We used to, One for AlanKoolade
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Crewzenalbum / digital / physical Koolade Productions2019JRN Anthem, Mirage, Sunset Crush, Crewzen, Shades of Gold, Jalibu, Malibu, Zonin', Dippin', Finale Koolade, Dust, Sinke Fresh, James Perri, Gorica Šutić-
Crewzen Pt.2album / digital / physical Koolade Productions2019Low Ride, Delorean Bounce, Dippin' Pt.2, Baby Blue, Kadillaxx, Ridin' OutKoolade-
Firesidealbum / digitalKoolin Out2019Koolade-
Leaving Youalbum / digitalKoolin Out2020Koolade-
1984album / digitalKoolade Productions2020Koolade-
The Hopalbum / digitalVoyage Funktastique / Bastard Jazz2020Koolade, Mystee-
Warm Cupsalbum / digitalKoolin Out2020Koolade, Vuk
Kockealbum / digitalKoolade Productions / TDKM2021Tibor, Koolade
Biddin' / SprinGangdouble single / digitalKrekpek Records2021Koolade
OOO DAAA! / Nargile na rumodouble single / digitalKrekpek Records2021Koolade
Aprilalbum / digitalKrekpek RecordsKoolade
Five to NineEP / digitalKoolin Out2021Koolade
Lovers' Lanealbum / digitalKoolin Out2022Koolade, Terron Austin, Matija Dedić, Bro, Vuk, Monika Almaši, Ma'Chill
Pričom je bježao odEP / digitalKoolade Productions / TDKM2022Noti Limun, Tibor, Koolade-

Croatian and regional production credits

  • Project Impossible, produced songs: "Intro", "Des Mozges" feat.Tram 11, "Kog je briga za vas" feat.Tram 11
  • Čovječe Ne Ljuti Se, produced songs: "Čovječe Ne Ljuti Se", "Znaš Ko Sam", "Kaj Ima Lima?", "Udri Brigu Na Veselje", "Za Sve Oko Mene", "Nema Škvadre", "Mokri Snovi ", "Lažni Frajeri", "Lančana Reakcija" and "Mikrofon Provjeravam"
  • Lovci na šubare, produced songs: "Čiča miča", "Čarobna frula" featuring General Woo, "Sex" featuring Target, "Dame biraju"
  • Vrućina Gradskog Asfalta, produced songs: "Nisi Pazio", "Politiziranje", "Crni dani", "Zlo i naopako", "A vi svi", "A vi svi RMX" featuring Prva petorka, Remi, Bizzo & La Bla, "Vrućina gradskog asfalta", "Jedno", "Jedno RMX" featuring KC Da Rookee, "Ti čašpri iskrivljeno" featuring Renman, "Eto šta ima", "Za 10 godina" featuring Ivana Husar, "Samizam" featuring Ink & Ivana Husar and "Ljubomora je kurva" featuring XL
  • Svaki pas ima svoj dan, produced the whole album
  • Od danas do sutra, produced songs: "Čuvari doline" featuring Remi
  • Takozvani, produced the song "Nema veze" featuring Stu
  • Slušaj Mater : "Slušaj Mater", "Jesmo'l Sami?"
  • Stole, produced the whole album
  • No Sikiriki : "Kliše", "Samo za raju" and "Dragi moj Vlado"
  • 1,68 : "Iza Mene", "Apel za mir" featuring Edo Maajka, "To je hip hop" and "Politika je kurva" featuring Saba
  • Baš je lijep ovaj svijet, produced the song "Strogo povjerljivo" featuring Ivana Kindl
  • The Album...nastavak, produced the song "Ljubavni Problemi" featuring Ivana Kindl
  • Prvo Pa Muško, produced the song "Klade"; also co-produces 5 other songs on the album
  • Stig'o ćumur : "Uši zatvori", "To mora da je ljubav" featuring Remi, "To što se traži" featuring Dino Šaran and "Nikad Više"
  • Ovdje i Sada : "Bashment danas", "Bum!", "Hrpa MC'ja" featuring Nightmare & Blunter, "To smo mi" featuring Edo Maajka
  • Povratak Cigana : "Povratak Cigana" featuring Hamza
  • Balkansko a naše – produced the whole album.
  • Narodnjaci : "Narodnjaci", "Intro", "Bic", "Nije Zadnja"
  • Sretan broj : "Sretan Broj"
  • Chuck Norris Rap : "Chuck Norris Rap "
  • Koktel od rakije : "Desno", "Smij se", "Polako", "Retoricka", "Kriza", "Mali mrznja", played bass on "Big Brother"
  • Štrajk Mozga : "Soma", "Drukčiji" feat. Marchello & Kandžija
  • Troyanac : "", "Gori", "Messi Rap" feat. Kontra, "Why You Want" feat. Vukašin
  • U cipelama moga oca, produced the song "Ovo Piće" feat. Koolade, co-produced the song "Punije žene"
  • "Zlatne Žbice", Produced the song "Duge Kandže"
  • "Kronika Betona", Produced the song "Kronika Betona" ft. Nemir, Bobi Vejn
  • "Zagreb Je Atlanta", Produced the song "U Getu"
  • "Head Nod "
  • "Underground"
  • Stani na put ft. Reksona, Frenkie, General Woo theme song from the film "Stani na put"
  • Stani na put ft. Kontra, Marchello de Facto, Remi theme song from the film "Stani na put"
  • Stani na put ft. Reksona, Frenkie, Remi, General Woo, Kontra, Marčelo, Baby Dooks, Gru theme song from the film "Stani na put"
  • "No Pasaran "
  • "OJOJOJ "
  • "Od pješaka do rakete", produced the whole album
  • "Kune i Dinari "
  • "Čvarci od Marcipana EP", produced songs "Dvajst do asa" and "Dado Pršo"
  • "Beton", produced songs "Ko te šta pito" and "Grah"
  • "Drugačiji", produced song "Male stvari" ft. Jasmin Jazz
  • "Na mom umu "
  • "Obama"
  • "Obama rmx"
  • "Stanija", co-produced the song with Mystee
  • "V.E.R.A."
  • "Ledolomac", produced the whole EP
  • "Jedan i Jedan", produced songs "10 dana u ljubavi", "Pričamo", "Priče sa tamne strane", "Tvrda kopija", "Uhićen", "Tko nam je uzeo sjaj"
  • "Moćno", produced the whole album, except song "Svaki Čovjek ", produced by Coby

International production credits

  • Disposable Arts : "Something's Wrong"
  • Nexcalibur : "Hot Souls", "You Asleep" and "Somethin' Different" featuring Aqeel
  • Born Wit' It" b/w Underdog : "Born Wit' It"
  • Relax Relate Release : "On and On" and "So Think Again"
  • Truly Unique : "Truly Unique-Koolade Remix" and "Truly Unique-Remix Instrumental"
  • Mood Swing feat. Talib Kweli : "Soon Come-Koolade Remix" and "Soon Come-Remix Instrumental"
  • How We Do : "Let's Get Money" and "B.S.A.P."
  • Innere Sicherheit : "Rap Gesetze 11–20"
  • 1 Pied Dans L'biz : "Mon Univers" and "Exode"
  • A Long Hot Summer : "Beautiful"
  • That One Way : "Pimp Tight"
  • More Fish : "Good"
  • Don't Quit Your Day Job! : "Job Song" and "Disperse"
  • Eddy Meets Yannah – Remix EP : "Losing Wings-Koolade Remix" featuring Capitol A
  • The Truth, produced the song "Explosive" feat. David Dallas
  • Face Off (Bow Wow & [Omarion album)|Face Off] : "Hey Baby "
  • The Show : "Who We Be"
  • Millionaire : "Millionaire"
  • Kizzaland : "Don't Stop Go", "Millionaire", "They're Everywhere", "Red Wine"
  • BAZAAR
  • The Wizard of Izz : "Don't Stop Go", "Connect The Dots" feat. Collin Munroe, "Set it off", "Red Wine"
  • They're Everywhere : "They're Everywhere"
  • Connect The Dots : "Connect The Dots" featuring Collin Munroe and "Ooh La La "
  • This Is What It Feels Like : "1 in a Million" featuring Koolade also available as a 12" single
  • What You Waiting For : "What You Waiting For" featuring Colby O'Donnis
  • Hip Hop & Rap
  • Wer?
  • Take Over : "Take Over" featuring Flo Rida
  • Rapmusik produced songs Hip Hop & Rap ft. Vega, Dieter Bohlen, Harz IV Blues, Bong Song, Heiss Heiss Baby, Hoer Mir Zu ft. Jonesmann
  • Excuse My Imagination, produced the track "Rain Dance" feat. Koolade
  • Selling My Soul, produced the track "What You See"
  • The Tonite Show : "I Like You Like"
  • Barkie, produced tracks "Brandschade" and "Woordkracht"
  • Hooikoorts EP, produced the track "Hooikoorts ft. Hilin Doyou"
  • Maylay Sparks ft. Last Emperor & Rucker Pawk – "Illadelph Elohim"
  • GR Team – "Daj mi pokoj!"
  • GR Team – "Pochop že..."
  • GR Team – "Zas títo"
  • XL, produced song "Sign In" ft. AG
  • Compton's Most Wanted, produced songs "Classic Shit" ft. Weazel Loc, Daddy Rich, "I Swear" ft. Big2DaBoy, "Run Everythang" Ft. Tinigi Star, "Fucc Em"
  • Decko ft. Adela Ostroľudská – Veľký zoošit
  • Main Flow – Money Machine
  • Durrand Bernarr – Homage
  • Avehre – Something's Missing

Remixed by Koolade...

  • Truly Unique : "Truly Unique-Koolade Remix" and "Truly Unique-Remix Instrumental"
  • "Willy Overnight RMX" by Consequence
  • "Motivators " by A Tribe Called Quest ft. Consequence
  • "Romantika " by Elemental
  • "Romantika " by Elemental
  • "Mr. Slow Flow " by Evidence
  • "Losing Wings " featuring Capitol A by Eddy Meets Yannah :
  • "Hypnotize You " by N.E.R.D
  • "Crabs " by Respect Tha God ft. Smiff-N-Wessun
  • "Chuck Norris Rap " by Frenkie
  • "Can We Be Friends " by CHUI
  • "Iembi Hipster" by Bvandzija / High5 / Koolade
  • "Meet The Frownies ", by Twin Sister
  • "tryingNOT2 " by BILK
  • "Let Em Know " by Rasco
  • "Am I Wrong " by Anderson Paak
  • "Laputa " by Hiatus Kaiyote
  • "Over " by Drake
  • "Driven ft. Roc Marciano " by JR & PH7 x St. Joe Louis
  • "Link Up " by NxWorries
  • "Suede " by NxWorries
  • "Ye " by Burna Boy
  • "Location " by Dave ft. Burna Boy
  • "Never Call Me " by Jhene Aiko
  • "Slide " by H.E.R.
  • "Toast " by Koffee
  • "On and On" by Erykah Badu

Featuring Koolade...

  • "Tepanje" by Tram 11
  • "Nema Skvadre" by Tram 11 feat. Major League Figures
  • "Pocasna loza" by Sick Rhyme Sayazz aka Bolesna braca feat. Dash & Koolade
  • "Ovaj ritam volim" by Edo Maajka
  • "FM Jam I Like" by Edo Maajka feat. Disciplinska komisija
  • "1 in a MIllion" by Spinz
  • "Rain Dance" by Leeloo Jammais
  • "Ovo Piće" ft. Koolade, by Priki
  • "Pterodaktil", by Koolade & Kendi
  • "Hamburg City Love" ft. Koolade N Cissalc, by Ben Bada Boom
  • "Reach Out" ft. Koolade, by Ben Bada Boom

Various artist compilation, film and theater placements and scores

  • "Mimoilazišta", theater play music score
  • Phat Phillie & FRX present: Blackout 10 godina – The Best of Hip Hop, features songs: "Čiča miča – Bolesna Braća", "A vi svi – Tram 11, and "Svaki pas ima svoj dan – El Bahattee"
  • Speakin in Tongues features track "Pocasna loza" by Sick Rhyme Sayazz feat. Dash & Koolade
  • Birthday Girl OST features track "Pocasna loza" by Sick Rhyme Sayazz feat. Dash & Koolade
  • Beats to the Rhyme features track "Beautiful" by Koolade feat. Masta Ace
  • Hits You Missed, Vol.2 features track "Survival" by Koolade feat. Masta Ace
  • Ugly Betty features track "Hey Baby " by Bow Wow and Omarion
  • So You Think You Can Dance features track "They're Everywhere" by Izza Kizza
  • The Nicest – Indie Hip Hop, Vol.2 features track Survival by Koolade feat. Masta Ace
  • The Nicest – Indie Hip Hop, Vol.5 features track No More Music by Koolade feat. Styles P
  • 10 Jahre Hip Hop Open Allstars features track Beautiful by Koolade feat. Masta Ace
  • Stani na put ft. Reksona, Frenkie, General Woo theme song from the film "Stani na put"
  • Stani na put ft. Kontra, Marchello de Facto, Remi theme song from the film "Stani na put"
  • Stani na put ft. Reksona, Frenkie, Remi, General Woo, Kontra, Marčelo, Baby Dooks, Gru theme song from the film "Stani na put"
  • Cruisin', song "Moon Thug"
  • Collect Beats vol.3, song "Lone Jazz Sunday"
  • Feeding You New Knocks Vol.1, song "Phone Queue"

Marketing and media