EchoSlim and Other Producers Chat With DJ Booth About Koffee’s GRAMMY-Winning ‘Rapture’

Born Mikayla Simpson in Spanish Town, Jamaica, Koffee has been blazing a trail for herself, her island, and the entire world of reggae since the release of her first official single “Burning” in 2018. This year, the singjay was blessed to bring home a GRAMMY for her mother and her country, winning Best Reggae Album for her debut EP, Rapture—becoming the first woman and the youngest recipient to win the coveted award in the history of the category at the age of 19.

I first met Koffee in October 2017 at Stones Throw Bar in Kingston, Jamaica. I was preparing to DJ that night, and she was being interviewed for Reggaeville. She was 16 going on 17 with two songs at the time: “Burning,” a passionate reggae tune, and “Legend,” her tribute to Usain Bolt, which captured the attention of the Olympic gold medalist himself and the hearts of many more.

When I asked Koffee how long she had been making music, she paused, started counting on her fingers, then flashed her signature bright eyes and disarming smile. “About four, five months,” she said proudly. I was shocked and impressed. It was apparent to me her gift was given from the Most High, and there was a significance to her timing in the industry.

“The making of Rapture represented a turning point in my music journey (hence the name), and I wanted each of the songs to highlight that,” Koffee recently shared via email. “I wanted to put myself out there in a powerful way; Rapture was my way of establishing my name as someone who came on the scene to make a positive impact. I am grateful to have worked with all the amazing producers on this EP and, of course, Jane [Macgizmo], who’s the featured artist on ‘Blazin.’ When I was awarded the GRAMMY, it felt so surreal. I am grateful, and as I said in my acceptance speech, the win is really for reggae on the whole.”

Koffee’s 2020 win for Rapture was a turning point for reggae. Anyone can recognize a Marley surname, for example, but many may not be familiar enough with the genre to nominate up-and-coming talent. Koffee’s win felt symbolic; it felt like a door opener for the new guard of reggae music. When the GRAMMYs announced the nomination, there was some pushback. The selection vexed reggae traditionalists and purists. Some felt Koffee was too young and needed more time to develop her craft. The buzz and impact of the EP missed them entirely.

Despite the comments surrounding Koffee’s gender, age, sound, and everything in between, her fan base continues to grow, with numerous high-profile fans from Rihanna and Lil Uzi Vert to The Obamas and JAY-Z—both of whom included “Toast” on their end-of-year playlists in 2019.

Rapture’s win opened up another discussion: how to classify Koffee’s unique sound. Is it reggae? Dancehall? Hip-hop? She’s Jamaican and sings in patois (or singjaying as it’s called in the world of dancehall) but also raps in a way that places her alongside artists like Gunna and Burna Boy. Rapture marked a new dawn in Jamaican music, which tends to birth a new genre every decade or so, from ska and rock steady to what we now call reggae and dancehall. Meaning, Koffee is but one in a long line of Jamaican innovators.

To celebrate Koffee, Rapture, and this pivotal moment in reggae, we spoke with the award-winning and diverse team of producers who crafted Rapture’s unique and signature sound. 

Our conversation, lightly edited for content and clarity, follows below.