Known by her nickname Koffee, Mikayla Simpson is a Jamaican singer, rapper, DJ, and guitarist whose vibrant mix of dancehall, reggae, and rap earned her international attention and a major-label deal with Columbia, which issued her debut EP, Rapture, in 2019. The release won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album, and following guest appearances on songs by J Hus and John Legend, Koffee released her long-awaited debut album, Gifted, in 2022.

Born in 2000 and raised by her single mother in Spanish Town, just outside of Kingston, Simpson sang in the church choir as a child and taught herself to play guitar at the age of 12. Inspired by Jamaican reggae stars like Protoje and Chronixx, she began writing lyrics in her early teens and in 2016 won her school's talent show. She earned her nickname on a particularly hot day when she was the only one among her friends who ordered a hot coffee while they were drinking soda. As Koffee, she released an acoustic version of her song "Legend," about Jamaican runner Usain Bolt in 2017, and the video quickly went viral on Instagram. Her next single, "Burning," featured her original take on Upsetta Records' "Ouji Riddim" and topped several reggae charts in the U.S.

In 2018, at only 18, Koffee performed with both Protoje and Chronixx, joining the latter on a BBC broadcast from Kingston's legendary Tuff Gong Studios and later on a tour of the U.K. Her status as a rising star grew even brighter when she signed with Columbia U.K. and released the singles "Toast" and "Ragamuffin," both of which appeared on her debut EP, Rapture, in 2019. The released debuted at the top of Billboard's reggae chart. In November of that year, Koffee released the single "W," a collaboration with U.S. rapper Gunna. The song was a hit, charting in the U.K. and being streamed millions of times worldwide. At the 62nd Grammy Awards, Koffee took home the trophy for "Best Reggae Album" for Rapture. This achievement made her the youngest person and first woman to ever receive the award.

Koffee was featured on J Hus' single "Repeat," which reached number 21 in the U.K. She also appeared on "Don't Walk Away" by John Legend, and released several solo singles, including "Lockdown," "Pressure," and "The Harder They Fall." "Pull Up" preceded the release of Koffee's debut full-length, Gifted, which arrived in March of 2022. ~ Timothy Monger