Original Koffee
{{short description|Jamaican musician (born 2000)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Original Koffee
| alias = Koffee (2017–2025)
| image = Koffee - Mykal Cushnie 5.png
| image_size =
| caption = Original Koffee during a video shoot in 2020
| birth_name = Mikayla Victoria Simpson
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2000|2|16|mf=yes}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|singer|songwriter|guitarist}}
| origin = Spanish Town, Jamaica
| years_active = 2017–present
| genre = {{hlist|Pop|Melodic Rap|Trap|Dancehall|Reggae}}
| label = Promised Land/Columbia Records
| website = {{url|www.originalkoffee.com}}
}}
Mikayla Victoria Simpson (born February 16, 2000), who performs under the stage name Original Koffee, is a Jamaican singer, songwriter, rapper, and guitarist from Spanish Town. She released her debut single "Burning" in 2017, and signed with Columbia Records after releasing another single the following year. Her 2019 debut EP Rapture won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards,{{cite news|url=https://www.dancehallmag.com/2020/01/26/news/koffee-wins-2020-grammy-for-best-reggae-album.html|date=26 January 2020|access-date=26 January 2020|first=Andre|last=Cooper|title=Koffee Wins 2020 Grammy For Best Reggae Album }} making Koffee both the youngest person and only woman to be awarded in the Best Reggae Album category. Her most recent album, Gifted was released on March 25, 2022.
Early life and career
Koffee's mother was an occasional actress, Seventh-day Adventist, and a Ministry of Health employee. Koffee's first musical inspirations stemmed from her mother's religious background.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/04/meet-koffee-jamaicas-teenage-reggae-sensation/586138/|title=The Teenage Girl Leading Jamaica's New Reggae Scene|last=Giorgis|first=Hannah|date=2 April 2019|website=The Atlantic|access-date=2 May 2019}} She sang in her church choir, taught herself guitar at the age of 12 on an instrument borrowed from a friend, and began writing lyrics inspired by listening to reggae singer Protoje. She attended Ardenne High School in Kingston, Jamaica.
=2010s=
In 2016, she won her school talent show at Ardenne High School located in Kingston, Jamaica without realizing that the informal show at which she performed in her school cafeteria had been an audition. She went on to learn music theory and vocal technique in her high school choir.{{cite web | url = https://tmrwmagazine.com/features/music/our-class-of-2019-koffee | title = Our Class of 2019: Koffee | magazine = TMRW Magazine | last = Davies | first = Nicola | date = 14 December 2018 | access-date = 22 January 2019 }} A defining moment for Koffee occurred in her final year of high school when she performed at her school's talent show with other gifted artists in front of about 1,000 people. She indicated that the show gave her the first bit of confidence to perform and deliver music live.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/04/meet-koffee-jamaicas-teenage-reggae-sensation/586138/|title=The Teenage Girl Leading Jamaica's New Reggae Scene|last=Giorgis|first=Hannah|date=2 April 2019|website=The Atlantic|language=en-US|access-date=2 May 2019}}
Koffee gained popularity after uploading a video to Instagram of her singing.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/04/meet-koffee-jamaicas-teenage-reggae-sensation/586138/|title=The Teenage Girl Leading Jamaica's New Reggae Scene|last=Giorgis|first=Hannah|date=2 April 2019|website=The Atlantic|language=en-US|access-date=25 April 2019}} In 2017 she released her first single, "Legend", with just her voice and acoustic guitar. A tribute to Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, the song became a viral Instagram hit, once the athlete reposted it on his own Instagram. Awareness of the violence and social problems she witnessed growing up has influenced her lyrics, and besides Protoje and Chronixx she has cited Super Cat and Giggs among her musical inspirations.{{cite interview |subject=Koffee |subject2=Iba Mahr |subject3=Busy Signal |subject4=Stacey McKenzie |interviewer=Winford Williams |title=Koffee, Iba Mahr, Busy Signal, Stacey McKenzie - Onstage February 2 2019 (FULL SHOW) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3ADl3kl1ac |publisher=Caribbean Entertainment Productions |quote=I would say that to a small extent, in the sense that I didn't- I wasn't able to study his music or grow up on it, but I knew a few Super Cat songs and when I think about my flow and my delivery, I can relate it to him if nobody else. |at=35 minutes in |date=2 February 2019 |work=OnStage TV |access-date=8 February 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.reggaeville.com/artist-details/koffee/about/ |title=Biography: Koffee |author= |website=Reggaeville.com |access-date=8 February 2019 |quote=But while reggae is on the agenda at the moment, Koffee intends to take in the many artists who have influenced her over the years, from Protoje and Super Cat to St Louis rapper Smino and UK Rap star Giggs. }}
Koffee was introduced by Cocoa Tea at the Rebel Salute, a reggae festival, and has also performed with her musical inspirations Protoje and Chronixx.
"Burning", her take on Upsetta Records' Ouji Riddim (which had been made popular by Jamaican artists Busy Signal and Luciano), followed. "Burning" grew out of her desire to inspire herself to push forward despite disappointment at not getting into post-secondary Sixth Form after she graduated from Ardenne High School. In June she spent three weeks at number one on The Foundation Radio Network's Top 30 Reggae Chart covering New York City and South Florida.{{cite web | url = http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/koffee-signs-to-columbia_147862 | title = Koffee signs to Columbia | publisher = The Jamaica Observer | last = Jackson | first = Kevin | date = 25 October 2018 | access-date = 22 January 2019 | archive-date = 25 February 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200225015659/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/koffee-signs-to-columbia_147862 | url-status = dead }}
In 2018, Jamaican reggae/dancehall singer, songwriter, and deejay Cocoa Tea brought her on stage at the 2018 Rebel Salute and Rototom Sunsplash in Jamaica and Spain respectively. Protoje asked her to perform with him. Chronixx invited her to join him on a BBC Radio 1Xtra broadcast from Tuff Gong Studios, and she went on to tour with him in the UK{{cite web | url = https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/koffee-makes-major-debut-with-infectious-toast-single-new-song.1981107.html | title = Koffee Makes Major Debut With Infectious "Toast" Single | publisher = Hot New Hip Hop | last = P. | first = Milca | date = 17 October 2018 | access-date = 22 January 2019 }} at venues such as Bush Hall and at Alexandra Palace. Koffee and Chronixx appeared on BBC Music Introducing...LIVE on November 10.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}
Koffee's December 2018 single "Raggamuffin" called out gun violence and governmental neglect of the youth.{{cite web | url = https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/koffee-spits-fire-on-raggamuffin-new-song.1981435.html | title = Koffee Spits Fire On "Raggamuffin" | publisher = Hot New Hip Hop | author = Zaynab | date = 15 December 2018 | access-date = 22 January 2019 }} BBC Radio 1Xtra named Koffee one of its "Hot for 2019" artists.{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1yQbnYkSJKQqD91nyk9Vf1v/1xtra-hot-for-2019-meet-the-artists-ready-to-take-2019-by-storm | title = 1Xtra Hot For 2019 – Meet the artists ready to take 2019 by storm | publisher = BBC | last = Faulkner | first = Dean | access-date = 22 January 2019 }} Her next single, "Toast", was produced by (izybeats) and (Walshy Fire) of Major Lazer.{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/wMtwnsHYWy5plMPWsws0xk/koffee | title = Koffee | publisher = BBC | last = Horner | first = Al | date = 10 January 2019 | access-date = 22 January 2019 }} Both Chronixx and Protoje appear in the video. In 2019, Tory Lanez made a remix to "Toast" as a part of his International Fargo project which can be found on SoundCloud.
In 2018, she also signed with Columbia Records UK, and Rapture. Her debut EP on the label, was released on March 14,{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/features/8501354/koffee-interview-rapture-ep-reggae|title=Meet Koffee, Jamaica's Teen Reggae Star Who's Taking Over The Genre With a Force|magazine=Billboard|first=Bianca|last= Gracie|date=8 March 2019}}{{cite web | url = https://hypelifemagazine.com/celebritynews/koffee-rapture-stream-download/ | title = Koffee Releases Debut EP "Rapture" | publisher = Hype Life Magazine | last = Meikle | first = David | date = 23 March 2019 | access-date = 24 March 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190324050827/https://hypelifemagazine.com/celebritynews/koffee-rapture-stream-download/ | archive-date = 24 March 2019 | url-status = dead }} 2019.{{cite web | url = http://jamaica-star.com/article/20190114/koffee-launch-ep-wednesday | title = Koffee to launch EP on Wednesday | publisher = The Jamaica Star | last = Renshaw | first = David | date = 14 January 2019 | access-date = 22 January 2019 }} Her "Throne" video, which takes viewers on a tour through her home town of Spanish Town, Jamaica, debuted on The Fader on 22 January 2019.{{cite web | url = https://www.thefader.com/2019/01/22/koffee-throne-video-premiere | title = Koffee can't be stopped in her "Throne" video | publisher = The Fader | last = Renshaw | first = David | date = 22 January 2019 | access-date = 22 January 2019 }} On 13 November 2019, Koffee was announced as an opening act for Harry Styles on select dates of the North American leg of his 2020 Love On Tour, and on 3 December as an opening act for the Latin American leg.{{cite web|url=https://vanyaland.com/2019/11/13/harry-styles-taps-jenny-lewis-king-princess-koffee-for-2020-world-tour/|title=Harry Styles taps Jenny Lewis, King Princess, Koffee for 2020 world tour|first=Michael|last= Marotta|date=13 November 2019|website=Vanyaland}}
On 26 November 2019, Koffee released her first cross-over collaborative single "W", featuring hip-hop artist Gunna.{{cite web |title=Koffee Teams Up With Gunna For New Single "W" |url=https://www.dancehallmag.com/2019/11/27/music/koffee-teams-up-with-gunna-for-new-single-w.html |website=DancehallMag|date=27 November 2019 }} The song was later featured on the fictional iFruit Radio station in the video game Grand Theft Auto V.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=December 10, 2019 |title=Introducing iFruit Radio |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/89k8a554532koo/Introducing-iFruit-Radio |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Rockstar Games |language=en-us}}
=2020s=
Rapture won a Grammy Award at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, making Koffee the youngest person (at 19 years old) and only woman to be awarded in the Best Reggae Album category.Campbell, Howard (2019) "[http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/article/20191122/ARTICLE/191129892/1116 'In with fighting chance'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130044816/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/article/20191122/ARTICLE/191129892/1116 |date=2019-11-30 }}", Jamaica Observer, 22 November 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019{{cite news|url=https://www.dancehallmag.com/2020/01/26/news/koffee-wins-2020-grammy-for-best-reggae-album.html|date=26 January 2020|access-date=26 January 2020|first=Andre|last=Cooper|title=Koffee Wins 2020 Grammy For Best Reggae Album }}
Koffee was the musical guest on Nick Cannon's sketch comedy and improv television series Wild 'N Out which aired on February 18, 2020, on VH1.{{cite news|url=https://www.dancehallmag.com/2020/02/19/news/koffee-makes-her-debut-on-mtvs-wild-n-out.html|date=19 February 2020|access-date=19 February 2020|first= Sheri-kae |last=McLeod|title=Koffee Makes Her Debut On MTV's 'Wild 'N Out' }}
In October 2020, Koffee was named by Elle magazine as one of "10 Trailblazing Women Changing The Future You Need To Know", the others being: Mowalola Ogunlesi, Tobi Kyeremateng, Ngozi Onwurah, Simi Lindgren, Balanda Atis, Magdalene Abraha, Holly Fischer, Celeste and Margaret Busby.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/articles/g31482/10-women-who-are-the-future-of-black-history-month/|title=Black History Month: 10 Trailblazing Women Changing The Future You Need To Know|magazine=Elle|author=Team Elle|date=28 October 2020}}
Her debut full-length album, Gifted, was released on 25 March 2022 to positive reviews."[https://manilastandard.net/showbitz/314210302/reggae-star-drops-gifted-album.html Reggae star drops ‘Gifted’ album]", Manila Standard, 26 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022{{cite web |last1=Petridis |first1=Alexis |title=Koffee: Gifted review - eclectic and appealing reggae by Jamaica's next big star |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/mar/24/koffee-gifted-review-eclectic-and-appealing-reggae-by-jamaicas-next-big-star |website=The Guardian |access-date=26 March 2022}}
In April 2025, Koffee returned with a new single, "Koffee". It marked her first release under the new moniker of Original Koffee.{{cite web |last1=Monroe |first1=Jazz |title=Original Koffee Returns With Video for New Song “Koffee”: Watch |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/original-koffee-returns-with-video-for-new-song-koffee-watch/ |website=Pitchfork |publisher=Pitchfork Media |access-date=30 April 2025}}
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="width: 80%;"
! scope="col" |Award ! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Recipient(s) and nominee(s) ! scope="col" |Category ! scope="col" |Result ! class="unsortable" scope="col" |{{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |
| rowspan=2|Grammy Awards
| 2020 | Rapture |rowspan=2| Best Reggae Album | {{won}} |
| 2023
| Gifted | {{nom}} |
Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2"| Title ! rowspan="2"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions |
| style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| SWI [https://acharts.co/artist/koffee#albums Koffee - acharts.co chart history] ! style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| UK ! style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US Reggae |
|---|
| scope="row"| Gifted
|
| 39 | 9 | 2 |
=EPs=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! rowspan="2"| Title ! rowspan="2"| EP details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |
| style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US Reggae |
|---|
| scope="row"| Rapture
|
| 1 |
=Singles=
==As a lead artist==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| rowspan="2" | Title
! rowspan="2" | Year ! colspan="3" |Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Certifications ! rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| style="font-size:smaller;"
! style="width:3em;" | SUR ! style="width:3em;" | UK ! style="width:3em;"| US R&B |
| scope="row" | "Burning"
| 2017 | — | — | — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Raggamuffin"
| rowspan="2" |2018 | — | — | — | | style="text-align:left;" rowspan="5"|Rapture |
| scope="row"| "Toast"
| — | 70 | 47 | |
| scope="row" | "Blazin"
| rowspan="5" |2019 | — | — | — | |
| scope="row"| "Throne"
| — | — | — | |
| scope="row"| "Rapture"
| — | — | — | |
| scope="row"| "Rapture (Remix)" (featuring Govana) | — | — | — | | rowspan="2" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "W" (featuring Gunna) | — | 82 | — | |
| scope="row" | "Lockdown"
| rowspan="3" |2020 | 4 | — | — | | style="text-align:left;"| Gifted |
| scope="row"| "Pressure"
| — | — | — | | rowspan="2" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "Pressure (Remix)" (featuring Buju Banton) | — | — | — | |
| scope="row" | "West Indies"
| 2021 | — | — | — | | style="text-align:left;" rowspan="3"| Gifted |
| scope="row" | "Pull Up"
| rowspan="2" |2022 | — | — | — | |
| scope="row"| "Shine"
| — | — | — | |
| scope="row"| "Koffee"
| 2025 | colspan="5" {{TBA}} |
| colspan="7" |"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released to that territory or format. |
==As a featured artist==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Title ! colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2"| Certifications ! rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| style="font-size:smaller;"
! style="width:3em;"| UK |
| rowspan="1"|2019
! scope="row"| "Cyanide (Remix)" | — | | rowspan="1" {{N/A|Non-album single}} |
| rowspan="1"|2020
! scope="row"| "Repeat" | 21 | | style="text-align:left;" rowspan="1"| Big Conspiracy |
| 2023
! scope="row"| "Gimme" | 60 | | style="text-align:left;" | Gloria |
| colspan="7" style="font-size:9pt"|"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released to that territory or format. |
=Other guest appearances=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! style="width:200px;"| Song ! Other performer(s) ! Album |
|---|
| 2020
| "Don't Walk Away" |
| 2021
| "The Harder They Fall" | rowspan="1" {{N/A|None}} |