Ed Sheeran collab ‘surreal’, says Koffee

Gearing up to release No. 6 Collaborations, his first project in two years, UK recording artiste Ed Sheeran has recruited actual Jamaican acts to accompany himself and Canadian super-pop star, Justin Bieber, on the recent ‘island-pop’ inflected track, I Don’t Care.

“It’s all a bit surreal, but amazing at the same time!” Koffee told The Gleaner.

According to Koffee’s managers, Tammi Chang and Pierre Bost, Sheeran’s team reached out to them. “We thought it was a great track. Plus when we hear Chronixx was gonna be on board, we were even more excited to collaborate,” they said.

Sheeran’s No. 6 Collaborations album is actually a follow-up to his 2011 EP, No. 5 Collaborations project. Set for release on July 12, it includes features from Justin Bieber, Camila Cabelo, Travis Scott, Eminem, 50 Cent, Cardi B, Young Thug, Bruno Mars, Stormzy, J Hus and Dave.

The remix comes in the wake of Koffee’s debut EP, Rapture, which has been making major waves internationally. Popular track Toast has already been heard in major motion pictures (particularly Jordan Peele’s sophomore film, Us), been the soundtrack to patrons of Royal Ascot Races in the Berkshires, and continues to pervade the local space. There is even a viral choreographed dance video of smooth moving dreadlocked men making the rounds months after the song’s release.

As Rapture, the single, blazes for the UK massive and Toast keeps Jamaicans bouncing, is this collaboration Koffee’s way of testing the US audience? “I see it more about how it will be beneficial for our artistes in general. Collabs like this help to push our music more, globally,” she said.

In addition to the major international collaboration, Koffee will be making a few other débuts this summer. “I’ll be going to over five different countries in Europe. I’m excited to meet my international supporters!” she announced. She also hinted at the possibility of upcoming visuals to complement her steadily growing repertoire.

kimberley.small@gleanerjm.com