Lost In Time Day 1 | Koffee makes electrifying return

At 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night, when Protoje launched into the popular track Switch It Up, the Lost In Time crowd erupted after hearing a familiar voice burst through the speakers. Moments later, an energetic Koffee stepped onto the stage.

Clad in a white T-shirt, shorts and a snapback hat, the Rapture artiste delivered strong vocals as the audience sang along. As she wrapped her verse and finished the 2020 song with Protoje, she exited as quickly as she had appeared.

Koffee's last major festival performance in Jamaica was at Reggae Sumfest in 2022. In April of last year, she released a self-titled single and music video.

Born Mikayla Simpson on February 16, 2000, Koffee first gained attention after posting a video of herself singing on Instagram. In 2017, she released her breakout single Legend, a tribute to Usain Bolt, featuring only her voice and acoustic guitar. The song went viral after the track star reposted it on his page.

She followed up with Burning and later secured a deal with Columbia Records. Her 2019 debut EP, Rapture, won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, making her the youngest and only female artiste to win in that category.

Day 1 of Lost In Time got its start at 4 p.m. with Joby Jay on the Foundation Stage, along with Iotosh Yeza and Tanya Stephens. Stephens regaled patrons with her nostalgic hits. While over on the LIT stage, Tessanne Chin, Mortimer and Lila Iké engaged the audience with hit after hit.

The event ended promptly at 11:55 p.m., but not without several surprises. 'Queen of the Pack' Patra was one of the first out the gate, joining 'rude gyal' roots reggae rising artiste Yeza on stage.

During his set, Lost in Time co-producer Protoje was also joined on the LIT Stage by Damian 'Jr Gong' Marley, Stephen Marley, Romain Virgo, and Alaine, with Lila Iké and Mortimer returning to the stage.

Sunday’s staging will crescendo with a headline performance from Chronixx. He will be joined on Day 2 by Jesse Royal, Jah 9, Naomi Cowan, Dyani, Royal Blu, and Dahvid Slur.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com