Etana will host a listening party in Sunrise on Sunday.
Etana is that rare thing, a female reggae singer who has hit the top of the charts in a field crowded bymen.
Her smooth, soulful “quiet storm” sound has lifted two of her albums to theNo. 1 spot—“I Rise” in 2014 and “”Reggae Forever” inMarch— on the Billboard Reggae charts and she’s had three Top10 hits.
“Maybe it’smy passion for music,” Etana says in a telephone interview. “I startedwanting to inspire peoplewithmusic and to have themwalk out of a venue with something positive, all of the time. So I think I put the hardwork in music because I don’t want to ever fail. And I knowI have towork two or three times as hard because it’smale dominated.”
Etana, whose real name (more on that below) is ShaunaMcKenzie, splits her time between Lauderdale Lakes and Jamaica. Her hits include “Wrong Address,” “People Talk,” “Free,” “Heart Broken” and “Trigger.”
Nowher fans can catch her in a live performance at a listening party for “Reggae Forever” this Sunday atKrave Restaurant and Lounge, 4519N. Pine Island Road, Sunrise. Admission is $20 and $40 (VIP). For more information, go to EtanaTheStrongOne.com.
Here is morewith Etana in aQ&A.
Where did the name Etana come from?
I got a list. I didn’twant to go as Shauna because Shauna just means pretty. Iwanted every female … to be reminded of howpowerfulwe are. And the list had a lot of African names. I chose Etana because Etana means powerful and strong [in Swahili].
What can’t youwait to spring on your fans at the listening party at Krave on Sunday?
Oh gosh, the new songs for sure. Iwant to do some of the new songs and I want to give them some of the old favorites and I’m so ready for that. I haven’t done that in Fort Lauderdale in nearly two years now, so I’m so ready.
Whatwas your first gig?
My first showwas in Jamaica in the countryside. I remember someone handing memy guitar when Iwalked in the venue. We got out of a Mercedes-Benz jeep, truck, van, whatever. We walked to the stage and this big, muscular man gives me a guitar and I take it withme onstage. I remember that date like it was yesterday. Thiswas in like 2006.
Youwere in the Miami girl group Gift for a moment, butwasn’t your first time in the spotlight back when you were a backing singer for Richie Spice?
Oh yes. Hewas sick or something and they told me to go up there and do a half hour. At that time I didn’t have the name Etana. At first Iwas nervous, just shoved onstage. I didn’t knowexactly what I was going to do. I acted in such away that Iwouldn’t be embarrassed. I just started singing BobMarley songs because I figured thatwouldwork.