KOOLADE (Record Producer) - Trackside Burners Video
Koolade (real name Matko Šašek) is a Croatian hip-hop, electronic, and urban music producer. Born in Zagreb, Croatia 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 (Balkans) music scene, rocking charts, record sales and winning a few national music awards (local equivalent to Grammy's) in Croatia and Bosnia. Soon after that, 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 US, 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 (R.I.P.), 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 legendary Croatian hip-hop groups Tram 11 and Bolesna Braća, as well as Bosnian rappers Edo Maajka and Frenkie. Due to his long career and critically acclaimed success, he enjoys a legendary status as an artist in the Balkans region.
Born on 1 June 1978 in Zagreb, Croatia, he shows a great interest in music from his very early days. Growing up in the 80's he listens to artists like Queen (being a fan since age of 6), Michael Jackson, U2, Depeche Mode, New Order, Human League, Dire Straits etc. In 5th & 6th grade he takes piano lessons, but quits after two years due to lack of interest in classical music education. Never touches a piano again, until the start of his professional music career in the mid/late 90's.
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 become "residents" in 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 90's he starts hangin around clubs and people playing, promoting and making Hip Hop music. Hearing the local artist's demoes 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 recpect 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. His probably most renowned production would be "Beautiful" by Masta Ace
Media & marketing
Being a music producer and sound engineer he 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.
Zebra Dots
In the year 2010 he meets a Slovene drummer Ivo Rimc, and they decide to do sessions together. Koolade found the idea of recording and sampling live drums very fascinating, and they continue doing sessions inviting other local Slovene musicians. The 1st one to join was a bass player Jernej Kržič, followed by a jazz pianist Erik Marenče, and a guitar player Andraž Mazi. Them five eventually form a band with the work title London, and continue doing sessions making funk instrumental breaks. Koolade being the producer of the band and their frontman playing talkbox. Later on they decide to take the band even further starting doing a unique combination of soul with a twist of indie music, inviting vocalists, songwriting, practicing, recording etc... The vocalist to finally join the band was Sasha Alexandra Danilova. Koolade eventually starts singing, becoming the other lead vocal of the band. They eventually rename the band to Zebra Dots due to problems involving web search engines (try googling the word london). The name Zebra Dots characterised their music well as being something that doest exist yet. Eventually, local and regional Universal Music offices start showing interest to sign the band, which eventually happens in spring 2012. In fall 2012 they release their debut single Walking On A Chance, soon followed by the debut album named after the 1st single.
Recent Days
Today Koolade continues to produce for other acts as he always used to. One of the recent ones he's affiliated with would be Kandžija, High5, Geralt iz Rivije, Frenkie, Kontra, and the whole of Zagreb's and regional underground scene.
In the past few years he's been also putting out a lot of his own music mostly single releases, featuring other artists, such as his recent (2016) single "Say Nothing" featuring Rah Digga, Sean Price and Tony Touch, which came out on April 8 on Duck Down Music.
Koolade also has a stream of instrumental EP's, genre wise ranging from beats, alternative hip-hop, electronic beats to future funk. Since recently, he's been affiliated with a US label Blvnt Records.
He also performs his music live, which includes live sampling, fx tweaking, playing bass lines, talkbox and such.
Awards & recognition
Being nominated for national music awards in the region quite a few times (still up to date), he receives his 1st Croatian music award Porin in 2002 in the category "urban album of the year" for producing the entire El Bahattee's debut solo album "Svaki pas ima svoj dan". Funny enough the translation of the album's title would be "Every Dog Has It's Day". Although his award winning days weren't over yet. The next year he receives two Bosnian music awards (Davorin), in categories "album of the year" and "urban album of the year", for production credits on Edo Maajka's debut album Slušaj Mater.
In the years 2001 and 2007, he wins "the best hip hop producer of the year" category at Hip-Hop Unity independent music awards.
Los Angeles-based URB magazine named Koolade the best up-and-coming urban artist in 2007.
Croatian & regional production credits
Project Impossible (Blackout Project album, Radio 101 1997), produced songs: "Intro", "Des Mozges" feat.Tram 11, "Kog je briga za vas" feat.Tram 11
Čovječe Ne Ljuti Se (Tram 11 album, Menart Records 1999), produced songs: "Čovječe Ne Ljuti Se", "Znaš Ko Sam", "Kaj Ima Lima?", "Udri Brigu Na Veselje", "Za Sve Oko Mene", "Nema Škvadre" (featuring Major League Figures), "Mokri Snovi (Remix)", "Lažni Frajeri", "Lančana Reakcija" and "Mikrofon Provjeravam"
Lovci na šubare (Bolesna Braća album, Menart Records 2000), produced songs: "Čiča miča", "Čarobna frula" featuring General Woo, "Sex" featuring Target, "Dame biraju"
Vrućina Gradskog Asfalta (Tram 11 album, Menart Records 2001), produced songs: "Nisi Pazio", "Politiziranje" (featuring Prva petorka), "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 (El Bahattee album, Dallas Records 2001), produced the whole album
Od danas do sutra (Nered album, Menart Records 2001), produced songs: "Čuvari doline" featuring Remi
Takozvani (General Woo album, Menart Records 2002), produced the song "Nema veze" featuring Stu
Slušaj Mater (Edo Maajka album, Menart Records 2002): "Slušaj Mater", "Jesmo'l Sami?"
Stole (Stoka album, Croatia Records 2003), produced the songs: "Plavi kaos", "Ritam Igra" feat. Jacques Houdek, "San nesan", "Svi to vole" feat. Nered & Ivana Kindl & Klinci s Ribnjaka, "Tepanje", "Tepanje (remix)", ""Vanka regule" feat. Dino Dvornik, also mixed the song "Od sumraka do zore" feat. Dino Dvornik
No Sikiriki (Edo Maajka album, Menart Records 2004): "Kliše", "Samo za raju" and "Dragi moj Vlado"
1,68 (Shorty album, Aquarius Records 2004): "Iza Mene", "Apel za mir" featuring Edo Maajka, "To je hip hop" and "Politika je kurva" featuring Saba
Baš je lijep ovaj svijet (General Woo & Nered album, Aquarius Records 2005), produced the song "Strogo povjerljivo" featuring Ivana Kindl
The Album ...nastavak (Target album, Menart Records 2005, produced the song "Ljubavni Problemi" featuring Ivana Kindl
Prvo Pa Muško (Connect album, Menart Records 2005), produced the song "Klade"; also co-produces 5 other songs on the album
Stig'o ćumur (Edo Maajka album, Menart Records 2006): "Uši zatvori", "To mora da je ljubav" featuring Remi, "To što se traži" featuring Dino Šaran and "Nikad Više"
Ovdje i Sada ( MC Popay album, Kingston Sound 2007): "Bashment danas", "Bum!", "Hrpa MC'ja" featuring Nightmare & Blunter, "To smo mi" featuring Edo Maajka
Povratak Cigana (Frenkie album, Menart Records 2007): "Povratak Cigana" featuring Hamza
Balkansko a naše (Edo Maajka album, Menart Records 2008) - produced the whole album.
Narodnjaci (Kandžija album, Dallas Records 2009): "Narodnjaci", "Intro", "Bic", "Nije Zadnja"
Sretan broj (Carla Belovari single, Dallas Records 2010): "Sretan Broj"
Chuck Norris Rap (Frenkie single, Menart Records 2010): "Chuck Norris Rap (Koolade remix)"
Koktel od rakije (Kandžija album, Dallas Records 2011): "Desno", "Smij se", "Polako", "Retoricka", "Kriza", "Mali mrznja", played bass on "Big Brother"
Štrajk Mozga (Edo Maajka album, Menart Records 2012): "Soma", "Drukčiji" feat. Marchello & Kandžija
Troyanac (Frenkie album, Menart Records 2012): "", "Gori", "Messi Rap" feat. Kontra, "Why You Want" feat. Vukašin
U cipelama moga oca (Priki album, Menart Records 2012), produced the song "Ovo Piće" feat. Koolade, co-produced the song "Punije žene"
"Zlatne Žbice" (Kandžija i Toxara album, 2012), Produced the song "Duge Kandže"
"Kronika Betona" (Flamie album, Street13 Records 2013), Produced the song "Kronika Betona" ft. Nemir, Bobi Vejn
"Zagreb Je Atlanta" (Geralt iz Rivije, 2015), Produced the song "U Getu"
"Head Nod (single)" (Geralt iz Rivije, 2015)
Stani na put ft. Reksona, Frenkie, General Woo (Bassivity Digital/Red Bull 2015) theme song from the film "Stani na put" (MTV Adria/RedBull 2015)
Stani na put ft. Kontra, Marchello de Facto, Remi(Elemental) (Bassivity Digital/Red Bull 2015) theme song from the film "Stani na put" (MTV Adria/RedBull 2015)
Stani na put ft. Reksona, Frenkie, Remi, General Woo, Kontra, Marčelo, Baby Dooks, Gru (Bassivity Digital/Red Bull 2015) theme song from the film "Stani na put" (MTV Adria/RedBull 2015)
"No Pasaran (single)" (Edo Maajka, 2016)
"OJOJOJ (single)" (Edo Maajka, 2016)
"Od pješaka do rakete" (Burky x Geralt iz Rivije x Koolade, 2016), Produced the whole album
"Kune i Dinari (single)" (Geralt iz Rivije x Kendi, 2016)
"Čvarci od Marcipana EP" (Riđi Riđ (High5), 2017), Produced songs "Dvajst do asa" and "Dado Pršo"
International production credits
Disposable Arts (Masta Ace album, 2001): "Something's Wrong" (featuring Strick and Young Zee)
Nexcalibur (KC Da Rookee album, 2001): "Hot Souls", "You Asleep" and "Somethin' Different" featuring Aqeel
Millionaire (Izza Kizza single, Decon/Spuldiggaz 2008): "Millionaire"
Kizzaland (Izza Kizza album, Full Blast Music 2008): "Don't Stop Go", "Millionaire", "They're Everywhere", "Red Wine"
The Wizard Of Izz (Izza Kizza album, Full Blast Music 2009): "Don't Stop Go", "Connect The Dots" feat. Collin Munroe, "Set it off", "Red Wine"
They're Everywhere (Izza Kizza single, Full Blast Music 2009): "They're Everywhere"
Connect The Dots (Izza Kizza ep, Decon 2009): "Connect The Dots" featuring Collin Munroe and "Ooh La La (remix)"
This Is What It Feels Like (Spinz album, Vibra Music 2009): "1 In A Million" featuring Koolade also available as a 12" single
What You Waiting For (Mizz Nina featuring Colby O'Donnis album, Mizz Nina Productions/Warner Music Malaysia 2010): "What You Waiting For" featuring Colby O'Donnis
Take Over (Mizz Nina featuring Flo Rida single, Mizz Nina Productions/Warner Music Malaysia 2011): "Take Over" featuring Flo Rida
Excuse My Imagination (Leeloo Jammais album, Dallas 2011), produced the track "Rain Dance" feat. Koolade
Various artist compilation, film & theater placements and scores
"Mimoilazišta" (adaptation of the novel "Passing Places" by Stephen Greenhorn), theater play music score (Satiričko kazalište Kerempuh, 2001)
Phat Phillie & FRX present: Blackout 10 godina - The Best Of Hip Hop (album, 2003), features songs: "Čiča miča - Bolesna Braća", "A vi svi - Tram 11, and "Svaki pas ima svoj dan - El Bahattee"
Speakin In Tongues (Stonegroove 2001) features track "Pocasna loza" by Sick Rhyme Sayazz feat. Dash & Koolade
Birthday Girl OST (Miramax/Film Four 2001) features track "Pocasna loza" by Sick Rhyme Sayazz feat. Dash & Koolade
Beats To The Rhyme (Play It Again Sam 2004) features track "Beautiful" by Koolade feat. Masta Ace
Hits You Missed, Vol.2 (M3 2005) features track "Survival" by Koolade feat. Masta Ace
Ugly Betty (TV series) features track "Hey Baby (Jump Off)" by Bow Wow and Omarion (Produced by Koolade)
So You Think You Can Dance (US) (TV talent show) features track "They're Everywhere" by Izza Kizza (Produced by Kooalde)
The Nicest - Indie Hip Hop, Vol.2 (Regulatin' Music 2012) features track Survival by Koolade feat. Masta Ace
The Nicest - Indie Hip Hop, Vol.5 (Regulatin' Music 2012) features track No More Music by Koolade feat. Styles P
10 Jahre Hip Hop Open Allstars (compiled by DJ Schowi) (0711 Entertainment/Four Artists/Warner Music Group 2012) features track Beautiful by Koolade feat. Masta Ace
Stani na put ft. Reksona, Frenkie, General Woo (Bassivity Digital/Red Bull 2015) theme song from the film "Stani na put" (MTV Adria/RedBull 2015)
Stani na put ft. Kontra, Marchello de Facto, Remi(Elemental) (Bassivity Digital/Red Bull 2015) theme song from the film "Stani na put" (MTV Adria/RedBull 2015)
Stani na put ft. Reksona, Frenkie, Remi, General Woo, Kontra, Marčelo, Baby Dooks, Gru (Bassivity Digital/Red Bull 2015) theme song from the film "Stani na put" (MTV Adria/RedBull 2015)
Copywriting, marketing & media
"Simpa Ti & Ja" TV commercial music score, HT 1999
