The Grammy-winning reggae musician Koffee “is OK.” Thursday evening, Olivia Grange revealed to The Gleaner that she is the Minister of Culture, Women, Entertainment, and Sport.
Thursday afternoon, reports circulated that the Toast singer had been involved in an altercation on an American Airlines trip from Kingston to Miami, and as a result, he was interrogated by officials at the Miami airport.
A source close to the performer who desired to remain anonymous stated, “Koffee is OK and on her way to Texas.”
According to reports, an economy-class passenger named Koffee attempted to use the first-class bathroom. A flight attendant reportedly denied her admission onto the aircraft.
According to RJR News, the incident led the pilot to circle as the purser and flight attendants sought to defuse the situation with coffee. Around 2:10 p.m., two hours after taking off from the Norman Manley International Airport, the delayed flight landed at the Miami International Airport.
On February 16, Koffee, whose true name is Mikayla Simpson, celebrated her 23rd birthday.
Since her debut on the music arena, the Ardenne High School alumna has been a trailblazer and has earned several honors along the way.
In 2020, the then-19-year-old Koffee won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album for her EP Rapture, becoming her the youngest person and only woman to win the prize.
Koffee’s debut album, Gifted, was released through Promised Land Records in March 2022. It debuted at number two on the Billboard Reggae Albums list and received a Grammy Award nomination.
According to her profile on originalkofee.com, Koffee was raised by her hardworking mother alone when she was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, just outside of Kingston. It was stated that “Koffee’s mother shielded her daughter from much of the communal violence.” The socio-political issues that plague portions of Jamaica have crept into Koffee’s music, helping to shape her into the performer she is today.
“Most of my music is intended to amuse while emphasizing difficulties in an effort to find a solution. Koffee is cited as stating, “I truly desire to make the world a better place.”
Koffee began her musical career as a kid in the church choir; she was given her moniker after choosing coffee on a sweltering day while everyone else chose for soda. Here, she learned melody and harmony; at age 12, after a friend offered her his spare instrument, she taught herself guitar. After being inspired by the reggae artist Protoje, she began penning songs in her bedroom — first, just a few lines here and there, a chorus or a verse. In 2016, she entered the school talent show by mistake and won. “One day, there was a performance in the cafeteria, and students sang poems and songs. My friends encouraged me to go up and perform so I did and the place loved it. I was unaware it was an audition until I heard my name over the loudspeaker.”
Koffee’s popularity increased in 2017 when she appeared on the Ouji Riddim by Upsetta Records, which was made popular by Jamaican giants Busy Signal and Luciano.
In January 2018, reggae legend Coco Tea brought Koffee onto the stage at Rebel Salute; her idol Protoje also asked her to perform with him, and Chronixx, the island’s biggest contemporary reggae star, invited Koffee to join him on Seani B and Mistah F.A.B.’s 1Xtra shows broadcast from the Big Yard studios in Jamaica.
The bio adds, “This is not someone who makes music for likes and money; success is far more important to Koffee than fans, brand partnerships, plaudits, and awards.”
She explains, “I want to bring about constructive change in the world because I believe the world needs it more than individual accomplishment.” “My personal success may consist of 10 automobiles and a large home, but it doesn’t affect many people other than myself and those who gain from it. I want to simultaneously be a positive movement and create a positive movement. I aim to provide positive energy and change. I want to have a global influence.”
