Write about what you know, they say. While once that meant that second albums are traditionally about how awful it is to be really famous and constantly on tour, now it means the world might be heading for an epidemic of Covid-inspired songs.
We can add Koffee’s new single, Lockdown, to the “good” pile at least. It’s a melodic, optimistic delight, looking to the future as the reggae star asks: “Where will we go? When di quarantine ting done and everybody touch road?”
Unlike most of us, the 20-year-old born Mikayla Simpson in Jamaica’s Spanish Town is having a great year, as shown by the size of her apartment in the new video. In January she became the first woman to win the Best Reggae Album category at the Grammys, somehow taking the prize for Rapture, an EP containing just five songs.
The following month she grazed the UK top 20 with her J Hus collaboration, Repeat, in June she duetted with John Legend on his latest album, and rumours are ongoing about her involvement in Rihanna’s next release. Coming from roots beginnings, her sound is increasingly incorporating crossover, poppier stylings. Once she can travel again, she’ll be popping up everywhere.
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