Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine January 2018 | Page 341

Recently taking social media by storm with her
acoustic tribute to Usain Bolt, 17 year old Mikayla
"Koffee" Simpson’s haunting and mesmerizingly
rich soulful voice has captured the attention of
reggae music lovers worldwide.
Under the guidance of her manager Caniggia
Palmer, Koffee recently released her official debut
single and video "Burning". The reggae production
on famed Upsetta Records "Ouji Riddim" also
features such reggae stars as Grammy award singer
Mykal Rose, billboard charting Busy Signal among
others. Koffee, the lone female on the riddim,
stands out with her infectious delivery and prolific
lyrics.
On a riddim filled with male established artists,
Upsetta Records,Thomas Dubee explained why
they took a chance on the young budding star
who had yet recorded professionally. "Between the
soulful depth of Koffee’s voice and her natural and
humble vibes, you would never know Koffee was 17.
Age was never a question or hesitation for us. We
also never perceived working with Koffee as chance.
The first time I heard Koffee’s voice, I did not make
it through the entire song one time before emailing
her camp for a chance to collaborate. We’re always
keeping our ears out for new talent and I immediately
knew producing any song by Koffee would result in
greatness. Burning is a strong indication that intuition
was accurate."
On the same day of the song and riddims release,
Koffee also released Burning's visual, garnering
over 16,000 views within 4 days of its premiere on
Reggaeville. Impressive numbers for any artist, but
even more remarkable for a new artist's first. Tajuan
Simmonds "the ting up..female Chronixx", Dread
Litoko L Dread "Oh Gosh, wat a voice full of energy
and emotion!" ; Kuno36 "She's gonna be a legend mi
can feel it" are some of the numerous comments
and feedback left by her daily growing fan base.
"After releasing her first ever Instagram performance
in which she did a tribute to Usain Bolt and it went
Viral, I expected Koffee's writing skills to gradually
improve over the months/years, but when I heard
"Burning", again I was in TOTAL shock as to such an
amazing song she wrote. The melody is beautiful,
the flow is impeccable and of course the "Riddim" is
also really great, so I have to big-up Team Upsetta
for reaching out and allowing Koffee to be a part of
the "Ouji Riddim". I also think that the visuals for the
song is also amazing and I have to big-up the director
"Ifidel Williams" and the person behind the camera
"Roe Summerz" along with all the other talents in the
video; Samuel Bailey the body builder, Vanderleer
Palmer the track athlete, Mark Lindsay the dancer and
Kemoi Bryan the Kung Fu Master. These people weren't
acting, it's who they want to become and that's a part
of the reason why this song and video is so powerful
to me. Lastly I would like to thank Life Fit Training
Centre for allowing us to use their facility in achieving
some of the visuals." stated her manager Caniggia
Palmer.
Humbled by the response, Koffee is clear about her
responsibility to a culture she loves and respects
and is on a clear mission to preserve Jamaica’s roots
and culture in music, while also aiming to empower
the youth of her generation through her musical
journey across the world. “I want to make a better
world for the generation that's coming up, to promote
love and peace, and even though I’m young, I feel that
the Creator has blessed me with talent and wisdom to
get the job done”. - Koffee.
"Come wid di fiyah, di city burning down
Mi jus a tun it up higher and keep it burning
It a bun like a tire, mi have a burning sound
and if me try fi retire me leave dem yearning
Nutn cya out my flame
No it cya quench, cya cool, cya tame
Since di devil nu like it him say fi turn it down
so me jus give him the fiyah and mek it burn
him" - BURNING
"Burning" on the Ouji Riddim is available on all
major online digital stores distributed by 21st
Hapilos Digital smarturl.it/oujiriddim, and the
video is now available on her channel at
tinyurl.com/koffeeYT