Koffee

Born in Spanish Town, just outside of Kingston, Jamaica, Koffee was brought up alone by her hard-working mother. Koffee – who got her name after ordering a coffee on a boiling hot day while everyone else opted for soda – began her musical life as a child in the church choir. Here, she learnt melody and harmony; at the age of 12, she taught herself guitar after a friend lent her his spare one. She began writing lyrics in her bedroom after being inspired by the reggae singer Protoje – just a few lines here and there, initially, a chorus or a verse. She quickly caught the eye of those in the know; in January 2018, reggae hero Coco Tea bought Koffee onto the stage at Rebel Salute; her idol Protoje also asked her to perform with him, while Chonixx, one of the island’s biggest contemporary reggae stars, invited Koffee to join him on Seani B and Mistajam’s 1Xtra shows broadcast from Big Yard studios in Jamaica. Describing herself as sitting somewhere between a singer, a rapper (known as a Deejay in Jamaica) and a guitarist, Koffee’s current output has tended towards the more “traditional” Jamaican rhythms. She boasts international collaborations with John Legend, Cruel Santino, J Hus, The FaNatix, and more and is featured on the upcoming Sam Smith ‘Gloria’ Album.

Her debut EP, ‘Rapture’ was released in March 2019 and featured collaborations with various local and international producers who won the Grammy for ‘Best Reggae Album’. Her 2021 Album ‘Gifted’ is 2023 Grammy-nominated and she is due to take on the South America leg of Harry Styles’ ‘Love On Tour’.