Etana
The Strength Of A Woman
S
inger-songwriter Etana Etana left the group and discrimination that working
is the new face on the headed back to Jamaica where class Jamaican people face in
reggae music scene. The she became a member of Fifth gaining employment, for example.
24-year-old’s style is a mixture Element records, touring and Etana’s passion is creating
of African and reggae rhythms singing for the likes of Richie music with meaning and she
with a hint of rnb. Etana didn’t Spice. This was short lived and wants listeners to hear about
just want her 2008 debut the company was raided and things that really matter.
album The Strong One to shut down. After those dramatic ‘When you have the power
reflect the meaning of her events, she then decided to to do music, you have to do it
name; but the character of launch her own label, Free Mind in the best way possible, in the
African women too. Records so she could create most positive way, because
her own destiny. ‘I thought music is more influential and
Moving to Miami I’m going to put the music out powerful than the government.
Born Shauna Mckenzie in there how I feel it, with all my If you have that power, why
Kingston Jamaica, it was heart and emotions.” use it to talk trash? Create a
evident that Etana was a When being compared to message that people can still
talented singer at an early age. other Jamaican female artists bop they’re heads too, but
Having aspirations to become like Alaine and Tami Chin, with some truth in it.’
a registered nurse, she moved Etana says: ‘I wouldn’t really
to study nursing at a college in compare as it’s all completely Know your mission
Miami in1992. After college different. Alaine does really The journey to fame is long and
she joined a girl group named nice melodic love songs and hard. Etana explains that at the
Gift, but was uncomfortable Tami is the same, but it’s a little start she had to sacrifice a lot
with the compromises she bit more poppy. They’re all because she didn’t use any of
had to make and after a good in their own way.’ the popular rhythms. ‘Some-
life-changing encounter in a times even now I might have
bookstore one afternoon, she Eclectic style to go hungry, tired and I want
immediately realised where Etana’s music is more eclectic to sleep, but I’ve got to get up
she needed to be. ‘I was with and has elements of various and just go on. That’s how the
the group in the mall and I felt musical genres. What makes music industry goes. As artists
led to go to the book store. I her music interesting is that we have to be strong and
picked up a book called Angels she doesn’t sugar coat her know what our mission is.”
Are Talking and when I read the songs; they are inspired by real
book it changed my whole life, people and situations. Wrong Etana, The Strong One is
completely,’ she explains. Address was inspired by the out now on VP Records
T
amala Ceasar
10
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