Koffee is an up-and-coming Jamaican singer who has steadily been making waves ever since she first entered the scene. Her music perfectly complements the current reggae revival with its distinctive tone and captivating lyrics.
Mikayla Simpson aka Koffee stands just five feet, yet commands attention with her vocal prowess and memorable hits like Rapture, Throne Toast & Raggamuffin that fill a room.
What is Koffee?
Koffee, a young Jamaican reggae singer who first rose to prominence with her song “Burning” in 2019, first earned prominence through her unique blend of reggae and R&B in her music, singing about love, social issues, self-empowerment, positivity, and staying true to themselves through lyrics inspired by Koffee’s songs. Koffee has won various awards including a Grammy for Best Reggae Album.
Koffee has quickly established herself as one of the most highly anticipated reggae artists around, achieving rapid popularity since joining Columbia Records U.K in 2020 and releasing her debut EP Rapture featuring global hit “Toast”, an expression of gratitude which resonated with audiences all over the world despite some difficulty deciphering all Jamaican Patois lyrics.
Her captivating vocals and insightful lyricism about everyday life have won over fans from around the world, showing that reggae music has truly evolved into an international genre with widespread appeal and relevance.
Koffee’s latest album, Gifted, strikes an intricate balance between heritage and innovation. Songs such as “Lonely” pay homage to reggae’s drum-and-bass foundation while “Toast”, an infectious blend of dancehall and Afrobeats music that has quickly become an essential party tune, often used as the soundtrack at parties where waists whistle and glasses clink to Koffee’s infectious lyrics of “Buss a toast fi di friends weh took off heavy loads!”
Koffee’s early studio work included working with many notable artists and producers such as SZA, Drake and Lil Uzi Vert; she performed at various prestigious festivals including Coachella. Koffee has experienced rapid success thus far; there’s no denying she still has much more to give the music world!
Koffee began her musical journey from humble beginnings in Spanish Town, Jamaica. Through passion and hard work she quickly rose through the ranks to become one of Jamaica’s most successful artists in history. Koffee is currently working on her next album while continuing to share her beautiful sounds with many listeners across Jamaica and beyond. With so much potential ahead for Koffee she looks set to continue making waves within reggae music scene!
Koffee’s music
Mikayla Simpson — known to her fans as Koffee — commands the warehouse like an unstoppable force. From behind elaborate cinnamon braids and diamond-studded braces, this 5-foot emcee sings the title track from her Grammy-winning EP ‘Rapture.’ Her song disproves any notion that her short stature prevents her from making an impactful statement about gender equality – her lyrics speak volumes! Furthermore, Koffee demonstrates her dedication to UN Sustainable Development Goal 5
Born and raised in Spanish Town, Jamaica, she embraced Seventh-Day Adventism before discovering reggae music at age 12. After teaching herself guitar at home at 12, she soon found herself drawn to it – quickly learning it herself by creating original rhymes of her own! At 17, she recorded her first song called Legend – an ode to Olympic champion Usain Bolt which subsequently received repost by him, opening up opportunities to make music professionally.
Koffee’s debut EP Rapture made waves when it hit #1 on Billboard’s reggae chart in 2019. An engaging blend of boasts and affirmations, it catapulted her into superstardom and saw her become youngest-ever recipient of a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. Rapture resonated deeply with listeners worldwide; its title track offered peace through celebrating Jamaican culture while remaining mindful.
Since her critically-acclaimed debut, Koffee hasn’t stopped busy. Her collaborations with fellow Jamaican artists are numerous: touring with Cocoa Tea and WizKid/Protoje/Tuff Gong Studios playback; guest verses by John Legend/Gunna Boy; as well as numerous guest verses for Cocoa Tea’s tours/solo performances/events etc. Her songs focus on themes of unity, staying focused and giving thanks – Koffee embodies it all beautifully in her music!
Though many reggae acts are steeped in tradition and history, Koffee stands out by her modern approach and geared more toward mainstream audiences. Her music blends elements of dancehall with reggae to address current youth issues that impact individuals from all backgrounds – Koffee has a unique ability to deliver pure messages in an emotional soundscape which moves audiences.
Koffee’s style
Born Mikayla Simpson, Koffee quickly rose to fame. At only 19, she made history as the youngest female reggae artist ever to win a Grammy Award – winning it with her album Rapture – and has taken the world by storm ever since.
Koffee has demonstrated her expertise in music business despite her youth, with a deep knowledge of her craft and an amazing ability to connect with audiences. Her lyrics reveal stories about growing up in small town Jamaica, staying positive, and being grateful for what you have. Koffee is also an outspoken activist on issues impacting her community and global society.
Her musical style is an infectious combination of dancehall, reggae, and just plain Koffee! Her unique sound and voice will leave you wanting more! Koffee’s future looks bright as she plans to become one of the biggest names in reggae by 2023.
Koffee was raised in Spanish Town, Jamaica and began singing in her local church choir when she was 12 years old. Later on she taught herself guitar by watching YouTube videos and taking inspiration from proponents such as Protoje. At 17, Koffee released an acoustic version of “Legend,” written as an ode to Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt; who later reposted it, catapulting Koffee into stardom.
Koffee’s “Gifted” album finds her walking the delicate line between heritage and innovation. Beginning with an interpolated sample from Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song,” its rapid-fire patois brings it into contemporary setting. On other tracks like “Pull Up,” she incorporates wider Afro-Caribbean themes into her reggae soundscape to become a globally aware stylist.
While Koffee could easily get caught up in the excitement and fame that has come her way, she remains clear on her intentions not to succumb to pressures of industry. Instead, she remains eager to expand her music and discover new sounds; hinting at a possible collaboration with British-Ghanaian producer Juls and hoping to learn sitar so she can incorporate its sounds into her soundscape.
Koffee’s lyrics
Koffee (real name Mikayla Simpson), born and raised in Spanish Town, began singing with her church choir from an early age. Inspired by Protoje, at 12 she taught herself guitar and began composing lyrics; by 17 she uploaded an acoustic tribute song for Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt online and quickly rose to become Jamaica’s most-talked-about reggae artist; shortly thereafter at 20 she signed her first major record deal and released her debut EP Rapture.
Koffee’s music demonstrates an unmistakably authentic Jamaican sound despite her rapid ascension, featuring her teenage voice soaring over rhythms and basslines with ease, employing rapid-fire patois spoken only by someone raised within Jamaica or its diaspora; her songs deliver with both personal and political themes balanced with an energy not unlike that seen from legendary figures like Protoje.
Koffee’s debut shows her reflections of Jamaican concerns in her songs. For instance, “Burning” expresses Koffee’s own struggles with education as well as that of Jamaican youths regarding their futures; yet despite these hardships Koffee remains positive with lyrics like, “Never be ungrateful / Life is such an education!”
Koffee’s Gifted album features several tracks, like “Toast,” which subtly incorporate wider Afro-Caribbean influences, broadening her musical reach beyond local scenes and increasing global recognition. These moments feel more like carefully considered experiments than like concessions; giving Koffee’s music the kind of expansive momentum needed to reach mainstream audiences.
Koffee’s album opens with a nod to her hometown of Spanish Town – no surprise there – and serves to introduce listeners to her sense of place and purpose. Beginning with an infectious guitar riff and Koffee’s seductive, emotive vocals before culminating with an extempore spoken-word monologue about Jamaica’s landscape from a hilltop view – underscoring Koffee’s singular perspective on life that has been significantly shaped by COVID-19 pandemic, forcing her to remove some unnecessary elements from her music while instead focusing on telling stories through song.