#GrammyKid makes industry proud
Published:Tuesday | January 28, 2020 | 12:00 AMKimberley Small/Staff Reporter
Congratulations continue to roll in for Koffee, the teenager who made history as the first woman to walk away with the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.
On Sunday night, at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards Ceremony, Koffee walked away with the trophy for Best Reggae Album, for her 2019 EP, Rapture. Among her supporters, spread far and wide, are reggae music stalwarts like Cocoa Tea, emerging global talents like Spanish singer and songwriter Rosalia, and Nigerian rising star Rema, and of course, those who have long supported the teen’s rise to international acclaim, like Usain Bolt.
Posting up in Koffee’s Instagram comments along with a slew of international admirers, the track and field legend simply put ‘congrats, proud of you’ - with a double high five and prayer-hands emoji. It was a reaction layered with humility from the man who introduced her to many fans, by reposting her tribute to him on his page.
For legacy performer Naomi Cowan, the historic nature of the win may indicate a turn of the tide for all young entertainers – particularly women.
“What it means for all of us is that a new era has begun. We gotta stay ready and continue to be supportive of each other. Thirty years from now, I’d love for us to look back and say, ‘Jah know, can you believe this happened in our time?’ I’m looking forward to that day,” she told The Gleaner.
Other well-wishers include Chi-Ching Ching, Romain Virgo, and contributors to the winning EP, Jane MacGizmo and Teflon Zinc Fence. She also got a shout-out from self-proclaimed Queen of the Stage, Spice. Under a screenshot of the Recording Academy’s announcement of Koffee’s win, Spice wrote on her Instagram, “Congratulations! First time we met, you told me to remember your name. Now look at God. The world will remember your name. Cyaa bawl inna life man. Mad love, lil sis. I’m so proud. #GrammyKid”
Also dedicating an Instagram post to the reggae teen sensation was Lila Ike. Showing a blink of their camaraderie, Lila used a short clip of herself and Koffee – two professional vocalists enjoying karaoke. Recalling that Koffee’s good news coincided with the untimely death of NBA star Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, Lila wrote: “I learned two lessons today: life is precious and anything is possible.”
She continued, with a show of feminist strength. “Thanks for being a real inspiration for me personally, and everybody daughter right now. Jamaica, we stan a powerful queen doing great things. More life and love and prosperity. Oh gosh man, you make everybody proud.”