Etana

Moe's Alley presents Grammy-nominated, international reggae star Etana with special guest from Salinas, Estrella! Wedensday, August 7th Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm $20 in advance / $25 day of the show 21+ ETANA Singer, songwriter, and humanitarian Etana is a powerhouse vocalist and 2 X Grammy Award, nominee. Its a been a decade after her debut as a reggae artist, she is now a recognized and respected entertainer in her native Jamaica and is also well known 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, which 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 (Freemind Music) and distributed by Tad's Records. 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, then a full-length album Gemini released in 2020, Her latest album Pamoja (2021) earned Etana her 2nd Grammy Nomination, the album features from Vybz Kartel, Damian Marley, and Stonebwoy. ESTRELLA Estrella, a dynamic West Coast singer/songwriter, masterfully fuses reggae, R&B, jazz, andsoul, creating a distinctive sound marked by her velvety tones and heartfelt performances. Born and raised in Salinas, California, Estrella's multicultural roots influence her unique artistry. Her journey began in Oahu, where she embraced her passion for music and crafted songs inspired by themes of love and self-empowerment. After releasing her debut EP "Why Wait" in 2021, Estrella has been enchanting audiences up and down California, gaining a loyal following and promising new music on thehorizon. 2 x GRAMMY NOMINATED REGGAE ARTISTE "ETANA" Etana’s name means “The Strong One” in Swahili, and it’s a title she more than lives up to with her music and presence. Since debuting in 2006 with the thought-provoking single “Wrong Address,” the Jamaican-born singer has established herself as one of the most powerful and distinctive voices in reggae, blazing a new trail in a genre that has long been male-dominated. Etana’s story begins in August Town, a treacherous but culturally rich garrison community in eastern Kingston that has produced such musical talents as Sizzla and Israel Vibration. Growing up, Etana’s home was filled with music, but it was country and western that she recalls leaving the biggest impression. “Every Sunday was country music day,” saysEtana. “A lot of people in Jamaica play gospel music on a Sunday, or old rub-a-dub. In my house it was country, like Dolly Parton. Tammy Wynette was my favorite of all the artists my mom used to play.” Etana discovered her talent at the age of 6 while singing at home in the backyard for her aunt. Her charming voice beaconed an huge audience of neighbors who gathered to here “little Shauna” sing. Etana’s backyard singing led to microphones of local sound systems playing in the neighborhood and thats where he love of music began. Etana’s family relocated to South Florida when she was nine where she started middle and sang on the school choir, she was chosen to sing the “Star Spangle banner” at school functions but never thought much of having a career in music at that time. Etana began her music career, almost by accident, while studying nursing at a local community college. “I had no interest in being an artist,” Etana declares. “I was just bored and a friend of mine told me that there was a request for a black female to join a girl group in Miami. He brought me to the audition, and that was it.” It wasn’t long before the proud and independent-minded singer realized that being in a prefabricated group wasn’t for her. Objecting to the group’s presentation during a music video shoot involving skimpy clothes and invasive camera angle...

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