KOOLADE

Koolade (born Matko Šašek) is a Croatian hip-hop, electronic, and urban music producer from Zagreb, active since the late 1990s. He is widely recognized as one of the key figures in establishing hip-hop as a mainstream genre in Croatia and the wider Balkan region through his work within the Blackout collective.

Over the years, Koolade has built an international career, producing for major artists such as Masta Ace. His production on Masta Ace’s track “Beautiful” brought him wider global recognition.

Regionally, he is closely associated with artists like Tram 11, Bolesna Braća, Edo Maajka, and Frenkie, contributing to some of the most influential releases in the Balkan hip-hop scene.

In addition to his work as a producer, Koolade releases his own instrumental projects, exploring styles ranging from hip-hop beats to electronic and funk-influenced music. With a career spanning over two decades, he remains a respected and influential figure in both the regional and international urban music landscape.