| Congratulations ETANA! |
ETANA (2x Grammy Nominee)
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. She went on to 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 representation of women, adhering to a natural lifestyle, and an acknowledgment of the teachings of Marcus Garvey and Emperor Haile Selassie I. That opportunity arrived in 2005 when a friend brought her to Kingston’s Fifth Element Records, who were then enjoying success with Richie Spice‘s single “Earth A Run Red” and his album Spice in Your Life. Etana successfully auditioned to become one of Spice’s vocalists on his tour of Europe and North America.
The Strong One (2007–2009)
While in the studio with the guitarist and percussionist from Spice’s band, Etana put together the song “Wrong Address”. Fusing acoustic folk with roots reggae rhythms and strains of neo-soul influences “Wrong Address” was based on the experience of Etana’s aunt being told to lie about where she lived to gain employment. The single received heavy radio rotation, reaching the number one position on several Jamaican charts.
Etana’s second major hit “Roots” was inspired by her travels to Africa (her very first solo performance was in Ghana).
The remainder of the songs on her debut album The Strong One, presents an eclectic mix of Etana’s ideas and influences, which include Air Supply, Dolly Parton, Bob Marley and Sizzla.
Etana was nominated for the 2008 MOBO Awards in the ‘Best Reggae’ category.[2]
Free Expressions and Better Tomorrow (2011–2013)
Etana released her second album, Free Expressions, in 2011. She toured Europe in 2012.[3]
Her third album, the Shane Brown-produced Better Tomorrow was recorded mainly at Tuff Gong studios in 2012 and was released in February 2013.[4] It was preceded by a US tour.[4]
In 2013 she recorded the duet “If Tomorrow Never Comes” with New Zealand singer Swiss, which hit the New Zealand top 50, eventually climbing to the number one position for more than one week.[5]
Her fourth album, the Clive Hunt-produced I Rise, was released in October 2014 and entered the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart at number 7, and topped the chart in its second week of release. It remained at the number one spot for four weeks. Etana is the first female to top the reggae Billboard chart in over fifteen years.[
Reggae Forever
Etana executively produced her fifth album, Reggae Forever, which was released in March 2018 and distributed by Tad’s Records. Reggae Forever remained at number one on the Billboard reggae albums chart for two consecutive weeks. This makes Etana the first female in more than two decades, in Reggae, to gain top position twice on the chart. With her 2018 album Reggae Forever, she became the first female in over two decades to be nominated for a Grammy in the Best Reggae Album category.
Reference: Wiki
For more updated information about the two timed GRAMMY Nominated singer, follow her on https://www.instagram.com/etanastrongone/
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ARTIST/ PRODUCER/PERSON OF THE MONTH ARCHIVES
September 2003 ETANA
July – August *** Enjoy your summer! *********************
June 2023 ALKALINE
May 2023 QUEEN IFRICA
April 2023 BARRINGTON LEVY
March 2023 MARCIA GRIFFITHS
February 2023 SANCHEZ
January 2023 BEENIE MAN
December 2022 KABAKA PYRAMID
November 2022 SHAGGY
October 2022 EVERTON ROY COLLINS
September 2022 TANYA STEPHENS
August 2022 Happy Retirement Djay Steve!
July 2022 Artist: PINCHERS
June 2022 Artist: ABAJONAI KUSHITES
May 2022 (Producer of the Month) COMPUTER PAUL
April 2022 (Tribute a legendary Mighty Diamonds) TABBY DIAMOND
March 2022 (Women’s Month) Artist: LADY TIA
February 2022 (Reggae Month): Tribute to Crowned Prince DENNIS BROWN
January 2022: Artist: ANDREW BEES
December 2021: Artist: ANTHONY CRUZ
November 2021: Artist: NOVEL-T
October 2021: Artist: O.C. ROBERTS
July/August/September 2021: Summer Break! Enjoy!
June 2021: Artist: CHRISINTI
May 2021: Artist: MIKEY MELODY
April 2021* Poetry Month* Artist: YASAS AFARI (Grammy Award Nominee)
March 2021 *Women’s Month Artists* PAM HALL, CHYNA NICOLE, & CATHY MATETE
February 2021*Reggae Month* Artist: YASHEMA MCLOUD
January 2021: Artist: JAHBAR I
December 2020: Artist: CONGO MAN
