Koffee is hope & positivity
‘I don’t play, you will never ever find another like me’.
21-year-old Mikayla Simpson, the artist widely known as Koffee released her debut album ‘Gifted’ on 25th March 2022. A series of launch events included a party at London’s EarthH. Koffee’s unique sound has given another dynamic to the reggae and dancehall music community and I wanted to explore her sound a little deeper.
As producer of half of the album’s ten tracks, Koffee crafted the album from ‘bursts of inspiration in hotel rooms’ whilst on tour and freestyle sessions with her band. It includes collaborations with global renowned producers like JAE5 and Frank Dukesalongside homegrown Jamaican talent such as iotosh, crafting the huge crossover anthems “Pull Up”and “West Indies” along the way.
I spoke with Tutu Balogun- a deejay, radio presenter/producer, graphic designer/artist; Also Femi Fem one of the founding members of the Young Disciples.
Tutu: “I like her demenour, her aura. I interpret her as something fresh in the space of black music today for the females if I’m honest.
Just because she is not trying to convey, because she is not trying to convey anything else but an expression- which comes through her sound and music. If your’e looking for more you got the wrong door!
‘I’m hear to express myself and nothing more.’ The package for the male and for the female is different, I feel for females as there is a lot of the same. I’ve known artists to acknowledge their sexuality first, but she is saying no ‘I am a recording artist.’ I’m worthy of that title on Wikipedia when it says what my occupation is.
Koffee is coming with what it should be. I love the song ‘pull up’ — I just like her and can she is ‘just doing me.’ Koffee comes across as time gone by, there is a warmth by her that was produced in years gone by. Koffee’s image is in harmony with her music. I think we forget the markings of music and what its there for — fundamentally the frequencies are supposed to speak to us and as a black person, as an african — I understand that once upon a time we used music to call upon the Gods and spirits, we chanted…these sounds mean something and because of that its important not to forget; and every once in a while someone comes along whether they mean to or not. Maybe she’s not that deep but deep enough and its accentuated by the fact that she is not really that old — she’s a young soul and thats what makes it so more magical. It definately comes from a more authentic place because she is so young. I wish more people would take a leaf out of her book.’
Femi tell us who you are and what you are working on at the moment?
I’m DJ Femi Fem one of the founding members of Mercury prize nominees Soul Funk Acid Jazz group the Young Disciples. I’m currently working with @glenscottmusic on my new project the @eyeofthehighofficial it’s out there
Koffee has a brought her own unique sound to reggae, which song did you hear first and what did you like about it?
Toast was the phenomena that drew Koffee to my attention. My daughter was playing it. It has such a catchy melody with an infectious groove. Koffee rides the riddim track effortlessly you could never deny it. A perfect reggae party anthem that mashes up any dance 🔥
How much does reggae feature when you DJ?
I often play a little section of Studio 1, Lovers & Roots on my radio show Mi-Soul Radio Sundays 7–9pm. I occasionally play all the aforementioned plus dancehall even some bashment when I’m in the club!
There are classic reggae tones in Koffee’s songs, how much do you think today’s artists acknowledge those that laid the way before them?
Reggae is a child of Doo Wop, Rocksteady, Ska, Bluebeat, Jazz & soul. The artists have never forgotten the roots. Koffee is what we call a ‘concious yoot’. She is all about awareness & care, she’s a thinking contemplative MC. She embodies the culture & just by being this way as a modern artist she acknowledges the bygone masters. Reggae is all about paying homage so the young artists give it up to the old MCs, DJs & are constantly updated old riddims & songs.
Reggae and dancehall have grown rapidly worldwide, what do you think has influenced this?
The genres are so naturally infectious whether on the dance floor or on the radio people really cannot resist. Long before the new digital access but before reggae was played officially by mainstream media the people made an effort themselves to seek reggae out so the festivals have been staging reggae tents, clubs naturally play reggae because it’s just part of entertainment period. There’s such a natural connection because reggae was developed to capture our minds & hearts. She won.
©Kings Davis 2022
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