Kooldrink Brings a Fresh Twist to Amapiano
MUSICIAN takes the world by storm.
Munashe Kugarakuripi, popularly known as Kooldrink, is making waves through his new pop piano sound.
The 25-year-old music producer and recording artist from Joburg claimed his place as a pioneer blending the infectious rhythms of amapiano with global pop influences.
During an exclusive interview with Daily Sun, he shared how he created this sound, the challenges he faced and his vision for the future.
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“Yes, I pioneered pop piano. Amapiano was still relatively new in 2019 and I wanted to bring more attention to the genre. Coming from an EDM background and inspired by artists like Skrillex and others, I saw an opportunity to merge amapiano with pop, knowing that pop is the biggest genre in the world,” he said.
His journey began with a clear vision.
As a producer, he worked to shape the sound and when he teamed up with Tyla, it all came together naturally. Her vocals and dance skills perfectly matched what he was and creating their hit song, Getting Late.
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But bringing a new sound to a global audience is never easy.
Kooldrink explained that while it’s exciting to introduce pop piano to the world, it came with its own set of challenges.
“Educating a mass audience about a genre that’s deeply understood and cherished where I come from is both exciting and challenging. It requires a mindset shift, approaching it from new perspectives and constantly experimenting, but that’s also what makes it so rewarding,” he said.
Asked if he considers himself the king of pop piano, Kooldrink said he doesn’t claim the title outright, but acknowledges his role as a leader in shaping the sound.
He said:
“I know I’m the founder and the one paving the way for others to explore the sound. I haven’t seen a lot of people experimenting with it yet, but I’m hoping my success will inspire others to try. If people want to call me the king of pop piano, I’ll proudly wear that crown!”
Kooldrink’s music journey started young at only 10 years old. Over the past 15 years, he’s sharpened his production skills by working across different genres and collaborating with top artists the likes of Sho Madjozi.
“When I started producing pop piano, I wasn’t thinking about creating a new genre, I was simply excited about the music. Now, I’m really enjoying where I am sonically and love experimenting with artists from all over the world.”
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He admitted that it’s hard to predict the future of pop piano, given how quickly music evolves.
“While I can’t say for sure where pop piano will be in five years’ time, my hope is more people around the world will discover and appreciate amapiano as a whole. I also want to create opportunities for new artists and ensure that as I find success both locally and globally, I’m helping to lift others up rather than pulling the ladder up behind me,” he said.
Kooldrink’s latest track, Show Me embodies everything pop piano stands for.
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“Show Me perfectly captures the essence of pop piano by blending melodic elements of amapiano with a structured, pop-friendly arrangement. The song features English vocals, making it more accessible to a global audience while staying true to the rich, rhythmic sound of amapiano,” he said.
