Many know Koffee for her smash hit ‘Toast’, a favourite of the Obamas among others. However there is so much more to the grammy winner. Let us look at 19 facts about the 20 year old who has taken the music industry by storm.
Accomplishments
1. At the 62nd Grammy Awards ceremony held on January 26, 2020, Koffee became the first woman to win a Grammy Award for the Best Reggae Album. She is also the first solo act to achieve this feat.
2. She is the youngest person to win a Grammy for Best Reggae Album.
3. Her song ‘Toast’ was named the song of the year by the Jamaica Reggae Music Industry Association in 2019.
4. ‘Toast’ has amassed 98million views at the time of writing.
5. Her first time performing was at a talent show at her High School which she won.
6. She first garnered national attention when she released ‘Legend’ in honour of Usain Bolt. It went viral on Instagram.
Early Career
7. She got her name after ordering coffee on a hot day while others were having soda.
8. She describes herself as a ‘sing-jay’ guitarist.
9. She started to write songs after being inspired by Protoje, another popular reggae singer.
10. Koffee taught herself the guitar at the age of 12.
11. Reggae singer, Cocoa Tea introduced her to the audience at Rebel Salute and Rototom Sunsplash in Spain in 2018. Her performances were well received.
Personal Life
12. Her real name is Mikayla Simpson
13. She is only 5ft (153cm) tall.
14. She has 4 siblings. She is the youngest.
15. Some thought Cocoa Tea was her father. This however is not true. Her father migrated to New York when she was an infant.
16. Her mother, Jo-Anne Williams is affectionately called ‘Koffee maker’.
17. Her song ‘Burning’ was written as an encouragement to herself. This after her application to enter 6th (Grade 12) at Ardenne High School was rejected. “Burning came from a disappointing experience,” remembers Koffee. “I applied for 6th Form but I didn’t get in and I felt really disappointed by that. So ‘Burning’ was an inspiration to myself, to push myself forward to say, ‘You can’t let this out your flame” said Koffee speaking on her song.
18. She attended Ardenne High school. Former Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion, Jody-Anne Maxwell and fellow artiste, Alkaline are also past students.
19. Like Bob Marley she rules under the Aquarius sign. She was born on February 16. Bob Marley’s birthday is on February 6.
