Artist Spotlight – Etana!

September 12th, 2010, By dj kwik!

Born Shauna McKenzie, the only girl in a family of boys, Etana grew up in the eastern Saint Andrew community of August Town where she currently resides. Her vocal talent was discovered when she was six years old and was overheard singing along to a 1991 hit by the group Air Supply. Later in Life after attending Broward Community College in the US, 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. More AFTER THE JUMP!

dj kwik! ~ “FRESH WID IT!”

Etana returned to her Kingston birthplace; music still beckoned but this time, it had to be done on her terms. Etana wanted to deliver dignified, emboldening words shaped by her embracement of Rastafarian 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.

Her 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”. Spice was heavily booked for American and European tours; Etana auditioned to become one of his backup vocalists and so impressed Spice’s management team, she was immediately asked to accompany the Rastafarian singer on his tour dates. Etana gained invaluable experience as a member of Spice’s entourage performing throughout Europe and North America.

In just a short few years, Etana has been hailed as one of the burgeoning new and sensational sound in the roots Reggae era. This young woman, a small one at that, in a largely male-dominated industry makes her presence even more powerful. Here is one of my favoured songs by her…

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