Reggae artist Etana is visiting Kenya this weekend as part of her ‘Reggae Forever’ tour. The beautiful Jamaican artist who is known for her vocals and great success as a solo artist is set to perform at Uhuru Gardens this Saturday (11.05.2019. But, there is more to Etana than meets the eye.
Here are 7 things you should know about Etana.
1. Etana is not her real name.
The popular reggae artist’s government name is actually Shauna McKenzie. The ‘Weakness In Me’ singer is set to turn 35 this year on May 22nd.
2. Etana was born in Jamaica but emigrated to the United States.
Shauna who was born to a family of boys spent the first eight years of her life in Saint Andrew, before emigrating with her family to the United States of America.
3. Etana is a college dropout.
Etana joined Nursing school at Broward Community College in Fort Lauderdale in Florida. However, she decided to exit college, dropping the course to pursue her passion for music in 2000.
4. Etana’s big break is all thanks to Richie Spice.
Etana auditioned for Richie Spice as a background vocalist in 2005 after returning back to Jamaica. She went on to tour with him across North America and Europe.
5. Etana’s biggest success ‘Weakness In Me’ is a cover of Joan Armatrading released in 1976.
Shauna’s rendition of ‘Weakness In Me’ is the third cover of the famous track by Armatrading.
The first cover was released in 1995 and was covered by Melissa Etheridge, the second cover was by Keisha White in 2006. Etana’s cover of the famous track has garnered her great acclaim. Released in 2014, it is part of the hugely successful ‘I Rise’ album.
6. Etana is more than a singer, she is a business woman too.
Shauna McKenzie aka Etana is diversifying her income. The 34-year-old has an organic haircare line dubbed ‘Etana’s Organics.’ The haircare line primarily focuses on selling cold-pressed Jamaican castor oil. Jamaican castor oil is known for its miracle properties that encourage hair growth as well as restoring depleted hairlines.
7. Etana is an award-winning artist.
Jamaican born Etana is a multi-award-winning artist.
According to Jamaican Star, Etana’s 2018 album, ‘Reggae Forever’, landed the number one spot on the Billboard Reggae Album Chart in the US. This is the second album from the singer to reach the top spot on the prestigious chart after the 2014 release ‘I Rise’. The latter is history-making, as this achievement makes her the first female artiste from Jamaica to have back-to-back albums hit the top spot on the chart.
The ‘Reggae Forever’ album also earned Etana a Grammy nomination, making her the fourth woman to earn a Grammy nod in the ‘Best Reggae Album’ category.