18-year-old Jamaican native Mikayla “Koffee” Simpson, releases her debut single “Toast” on Columbia Records.
Produced by Walshy Fire of Major Lazer and iZyBeats, the new track arrives as an ode to everything Koffee is thankful for in her life: her family and friends and the “blessings” that surround her on a daily basis.
The song’s colorful accompanying visual is directed by Xavier Damase and offers a candid first look at Koffee’s world, with cameos from Chronixx and Protoje, told through the lively streets of her hometown.
Born in Spanish Town, just outside of Kingston, Jamaica, Koffee began writing lyrics in her bedroom having been inspired by the likes of reggae legends Protoje and Supercat, to more recently, Chicago rapper Smino and UK rap star Giggs.
In Janurary 2018, reggae hero Coco Tea brought Koffee onto the stage at Rebel Salute; her idol Protoje also asked her to perform with him, while Grammy-nominated Chronixx, one of Jamaica’s biggest contemporary reggae stars and another huge inspiration, invited Koffee to join him on Seani B and Mistajam’s recent BBC 1Xtra shows broadcast from Tough Gong Studios.
Although small in stature and disarmingly unassuming, Koffee’s modesty — and height — belies huge amounts of talent. The 5’0, self-described “sing-jay-guitarist” is one of the most exciting, forward-thinking, globally-focused teenage talents to emerge this year. Having just played a string of shows with her hero Chronixx earlier this week in the UK at BBX 1Xtra Introducing Live, Alexander Palace and the Zincfence Sessions at Bush Hall, Koffee is poised and ready to take over in 2019.
Watch “Toast” above and stay tuned for more from Koffee coming soon.
