Kooldrink is a 25-year-old Zimbabwean-born music producer and recording artist based in Los Angeles and Johannesburg, South Africa, best known for discovering, developing, and producing Grammy award-winner Tyla and her breakout debut single, "Getting Late"—the record that launched both of their careers.
The music producer, this year Kooldrink is stepping into the spotlight with his debut solo single, "Show Me", following years of behind-the-scenes work with various artists, he is now making waves on his own terms.
Real name Munashe Kugarakuripi, the musician has made a transition to Los Angeles, where he is continuing to take African music global, and his pioneering genre, Pop Piano.
Moving to Los Angeles has been a transformative experience for Kooldrink. “The transition has been great,” he says.
“I get to make African music from this place, and the exposure to high-quality musicians helps me create better music.” While African music isn't as prominent in LA, he sees it as his mission to bring authenticity to the global stage.
As an artist representing African music on an international platform, Kooldrink feels a deep sense of responsibility. “Every African has a responsibility to make sure African music is global. You have to do it to the best of your ability and tell the true story of African culture.”
While there’s pressure in being watched so closely, he embraces the challenge as part of his journey.
Kooldrink is signed to Empire, a label investing heavily in African talent and is gearing up for the release of a joint EP with the record label. He describes the partnership as being in its “honeymoon phase,” with everything running smoothly.
His first solo single, "Show Me," marks a significant moment in his career. “I've always worked behind the scenes, making sure other artists’ careers take off. But I started hearing my sound in their music and realized I needed to figure out what Kooldrink sounds like.”
Kooldrink has been at the forefront of shaping Pop Piano, a fusion of Amapiano and pop elements. The genre emerged around 2018-2019, during the early days of Amapiano. “Back then, there were maybe four Amapiano songs in existence, and I thought, ‘We need to try this.’”
Coming from an EDM and pop background, he naturally approached Amapiano with a pop sensibility, which led to hits like "Getting Late" by Tyla. “That was the proof of concept that Pop Piano is a real thing.”
Looking ahead, he envisions Pop Piano as a bridge for global audiences to understand and embrace Amapiano. “Pop is the biggest genre in the world. If I can make Amapiano more accessible through pop, people will understand it better.” His upcoming EP will feature major pop artists, though he remains tight-lipped about specifics.
In today’s industry, social media is crucial for artists. Kooldrink acknowledges the challenge of adapting. “People now want to see the journey, not just a polished artist. So, I’m sharing behind-the-scenes content and connecting with audiences in a more personal way.”
He also touches on the debate around TikTok artists versus traditional musicians. “Who are we to say who an artist really is? The new generation of musicians grew up using technology differently. The only thing you can do is adapt or die.”
With an EP on the way, a commitment to pushing African music forward, and a fresh sound defining Pop Piano, Kooldrink is set for an exciting future. “Longevity is the name of the game,” he says. If his journey so far is any indication, Kooldrink is here to stay.
IOL Entertainment