Etana
Shauna Melissa McKenzie (born 22 May 1983), known by her stage name Etana, is a Jamaican reggae singer. Her debut studio album, The Strong One, was released in June 2008. In December 2018, Etana was nominated for the 61st & 64th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album.
Biography
Born Shauna McKenzie in Kingston, Jamaica, the only girl in a family of boys, Etana grew up in the eastern Saint Andrew community of August Town. Her vocal talent was discovered when she was eight years old and was overheard singing along to a 1991 hit by the group Air Supply.
Etana migrated to the United States in 1992. attend Broward Community College with the intention of becoming a registered nurse.
Beginnings (2000–2005)
Following her decision to prematurely exit college in 2000, Etana joined a female vocal group named Gift. At the time Universal Records was interested in their music so Etana reluctantly agreed to wear the skimpy outfits dictated by the music industry's pervasive stereotyping of female artists; then one day, she could no longer conform.
Etana returned to her birthplace and focused on making music that reflected her embracement of Rastafari principles, which include a royal...
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Albums
Most played
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Recently added
New tracks from recent catalogue imports.
- 1
- 2 Inna Di Ghetto
Etana · Roots Reggae
- 3 Weh Di Weed Deh
Etana · Roots Reggae
- 4 Nuh Know Bout We
Etana · Roots Reggae
- 5 Set up Yuhself
Etana · Roots Reggae
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10 Don't Give Up
Etana · Roots Reggae
- 11
- 12 Jah Never Fail
Etana · Roots Reggae
Songs on JamaicansMusic
103 playable tracks in the catalog.
- 1 Wrong Address
Etana · Roots Reggae
- 2 Don't Forget
Etana · Roots Reggae
- 3
- 4 Jah Chariot
Etana · Roots Reggae
- 5 I Am Not Afraid
Etana · Roots Reggae
- 6 Nothing But Love
Etana · Roots Reggae
- 7 Caltariba System
Etana · Roots Reggae
- 8 More & More
Etana · Roots Reggae
- 9 I'll Be the One
Etana · Roots Reggae
- 10 Warrior Love
Etana · Roots Reggae
- 11 Wasting My Time
Etana · Roots Reggae
- 12
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Find tickets for Etana →Career timeline
Stories about Etana from the JamaicansMusic archive, oldest first · 2013–2024
2013
InterviewsWhispering sweet poetry for a Better Tomorrow
Waltzing from the Gospel-esque I Got You to the self-confident-Jah-protected I am not Afraid to the survival chanting on Free to expressing her unconditional love on Happy Heart, Etana's lyrical and vocal diversity and versatility has driven in so many lanes over the years yet has remained authentically her throughout.
MusicEtana's Better Tomorrow packs Poetry, Passion and Heartfelt Magic…
Those listeners, who are already Roots Reggae fans and familiar with Etana's work, should run…not walk, to pick up this album. That being said, let's break down the reasons why.
InterviewsEtana reflects on female artistes that paved the way for her
"When I started doing Reggae music professionally in 2007, I noticed one thing for sure - females even if they were billed for a show they would be at the bottom of the flyer or really small. They would be made to perform early or not at all," admits Etana reflecting on the progression of female artistes in the musical realm.
2014
MusicReggae continues to inspire International musicians
The eccentric musician Rafter Roberts, hails from San Diego, California - a city that is no stranger to reggae culture. Artists like Jimmy Cliff, Etana and Raging Fyah are just a few of the Jamaican musicians who are frequent headliners at various shows and concerts hosted in the region. These artists are working hard to meet the demand for quality reggae acts, a market that is constantly growing, and usually find they must play alongside local acts that sometimes just don't make the cut.
MusicEtana Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Etana has received a lifetime achievement award for the milestone she has reached in the music industry. This accolade was presented to the prolific songbird at the recently held Linkage awards in New York. Her contribution to inspiration music as a singer and songwriter has not gone unnoticed.
CultureEtana, Ambassador for National Caribbean American Heritage Month
The Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) led by Dr. Claire Nelson is pleased to announce its selection of Jamaican international reggae singer Etana as this year's Musical Ambassador for National Caribbean American Heritage Month (NCAHM).
MusicEtana readies fourth album; 'I Rise'
Slated to be released in October, chanteuse Etana is ready to Rise once again with her latest project that promises to be a masterpiece from beginning to end.
2024
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