Kofy Brown
Kenya Sims (born 1969 or 1970),[1][2] known by her stage name Kofy Brown, is an American singer-songwriter.
Musical career
In 1994, Kofy released her debut album, Live & Delicious, as an 11-track live set on Simba Music, a record label created after her attempts to sign with a major label were unsuccessful.[3][4] She promoted it using college radio and mix shows.[4] It was followed in 1997 by Hungry, which was described as more "funk".[2]
In 1999, she released Skinny & Tight, promoting it by doing tours across the Western United States and Canada. It was called "raw, tight, and funky" by Bass Player.[5][6] In 2001, Brown released Area 32.[7] It peaked at No. 15 on the Top Reggae Albums chart during May 2003.[8] It was followed by Love Warrior in 2004 and two live albums, in 2006 and 2008 respectively.[7]
She is currently a member of the bands SisterSpace and Skip the Needle.[1][9]
Personal life
Brown was born in Washington, D.C., moving to the San Francisco Bay Area around 1992.[2] She is lesbian and is married to Margaret Belton.[10] Her stage name is a nod to 1970s blaxploitation, specifically the movie Coffy, where Pam Grier played a woman called Coffy Brown.[2][4] As of 2023, she lives in Oakland.[11]
Discography
- Live & Delicious (1994)
- Hungry (1997)
- Skinny & Tight (1999)
- Area 32 (2003)
- Love Warrior (2004)[7]
References
- ^ a b Nash, Suzi (1 September 2021). "SisterSpace is doing it for themselves". Philadelphia Gay News. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
- ^ a b c d Baxter, Nicky (1 May 1997). "High-Octane Kofy". Metro. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
- ^ "Soul Power". Times Colonist. 2 September 1999. p. D6. ProQuest 345756489.
- ^ a b c Snyder, Marlynn (21 May 1994). "Continental Drift". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 17. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
- ^ Olwell, Greg (October 1999). "Kofy Brown: Skinny & Tight". Bass Player. Vol. 10, no. 12. p. 66. ProQuest 199932745.
- ^ Derdeyn, Stuart (5 February 1998). "Kofy Brown". The Province. p. B13. ProQuest 269188349.
- ^ a b c "Kofy Brown (discography)". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
- ^ "Top Reggae Albums". Billboard. 10 May 2003. p. 70. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
- ^ Compton, Laura (24 June 2019). "Skip the Needle to bring its joyful funk metal to debut album release show". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
- ^ Gilbert, Andrew (21 June 2021). "The Many Fabulous Faces of Margaret Belton and Kofy Brown". KQED-FM. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
- ^ Rafkin, Louise (12 May 2023). "After a Yearlong Dating Hiatus, (Cautiously) Embracing Something New". The New York Times. ProQuest 2812250175. Retrieved 5 February 2026.