Singer, songwriter, and humanitarian Etana is a powerhouse vocalist and Grammy Award, nominee. More than a decade after her debut as a reggae artist, she is now a recognized and respected entertainer in her native Jamaica and becoming more famous worldwide. Born Shauna McKenzie, the young talent migrated to the United States for the opportunity and briefly pursued a pop music career before rediscovering her roots as an adult and adopting the moniker Etana, “The Strong One” in Swahili. The return home spurred the evolution of her sound and is evident in her body of work expressed as the fusion of folk, soul, jazz, and reggae. Etana taps into the likes of Marcia Griffiths, Etta James, and Miriam Makeba for harnessing a deeply emotional sound and she is the modern embodiment of their influence. In 2008 Etana debuted the album The Strong One featuring various musicians and producers. The project reached the #12 spot on the Reggae Billboard chart, and consecutively released singles released by VP Records helped to introduce the spirited singer to the world. Lyrical hits “Warrior Love” and “I Am Not Afraid” made a lasting impression, as did “Free” and “Happy Heart” from the second album Free Expressions, notably a repeat Reggae Billboard chart climber. Not to be outdone, she released her fourth album I Rise to much acclaim, nabbing the #1 spot on the iconic chart, marking the first female artist out of Jamaica to earn such a designation seventeen years. Fast forward to 2018, Etana was nominated for the 61st Annual Grammy Awards for Reggae Forever in the Best Reggae Album category. The project was co-produced by Etana and the distinction by The Recording Academy marked the first time in over twenty years that a woman was designated that bracket. In 2019 she released the eight-track EP Dimensions, her latest full-length album Gemini is scheduled for a Summer 2020 debut, with multiple singles dropping leading up to the main event.
Alice Foy Talks Starting Her Own Production Company as a Black Woman | BHL Conversations
Interview w/ Evvie McKinney | BHL's Conversations
Malcolm Manswell Talks Being the Owner of a Black Business on BHL's Conversations
Guy Torry Talks Comedy In Quarantine and New Movies | BHL Conversations
Elijah Booth | BHL Conversations
Exclusive Interview with Vh1's Donald Brumfield
BHL Conversations - Bresha Webb | BHL Conversations
Lamar "Mars" Edwards
Johnell Young
Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta's Karlie Redd | BHL's Conversations
Emmy Award Winning Hair Stylist Angela Christine
EMPIRE's Multi-Hyphenated Artist Jay Loud Showcases His Lyrical Range Ahead Of Debut Project
Sitting with Kingbach to talk Vine, Youtube, Acting, and more | BHL's Conversations
Sitting with Young Trap to talk Hustle & Glow | BHL's Conversations
Talking with the cast of Funny Married Stuff | BHL's Conversations
Interview w/ Shay Johnson | BHL's Conversations
Interview w/ Shelea | BHL's Conversations
Interview w/ Miko Branch | BHL's Conversations
Interview w/ Chloe Mondesir | BHL's Conversations
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Wander Well
Insecure After Show
Just Saying
Dating, Mating and Communicating
Justice Is Served