5 Questions With Etana
Published:Friday | January 23, 2026 | 10:35 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
Reggae Month 2026 had its mega launch on Wednesday at J Wray & Nephew where it was announced, to applause, that Grammy-nominated reggae singer, Etana, was designated the first-ever Reggae Month Ambassador.
Born Shauna McKenzie, the singer with the soulful voice grew up in August Town, a community that she holds dear to her heart, even though she migrated to the United States in 1992.
Etana attended Broward Community College with the intention of becoming a registered nurse, but fate stepped in and her journey took a turn on to musical tracks, where she firmly planted her roots. Her critically acclaimed début album The Strong One, which was released in 2009, contains hits like Wrong Address, which “fuses acoustic folk with roots reggae rhythms and strains of neo-soul influences”.
Her fifth album, Reggae Forever, which was released in March 2018 and distributed by Tad’s Records, claimed the number-one spot on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart for two consecutive weeks. Reggae Forever was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Reggae Album category and Etana became the first female in over two decades to be nominated for a reggae Grammy. She received her second Grammy nomination for the Best Reggae Album category in late 2021 for her album Pamoja. In 2025, Etana was conferred with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer.
This week, 5 Questions With ... features Etana.
1. You are the first artiste to be named Ambassador for Reggae Month, how does that make you feel and how were you informed?
I was told that they were considering it and today [Wednesday] I was informed that it’s official. I’m happy that the work that I do in music is acknowledged and celebrated. And I think they could almost see my heart ... yeah, because I have a genuine love for people and I have a genuine love for reggae music.
2. What are you planing to do make your year as the first Reggae Month Ambassador memorable?
Well, I’m not gonna shy away from doing the interviews. I’m not going to shy away from hosting different events on my social media platforms, and encouraging people to come into Jamaica to experience the culture ... experience our music and what it feels like having that experience right here in Jamaica. That is massive. That’s a huge deal. I mean, it’s a huge deal for me and I think that they need to come and experience that huge deal.
3. What does Reggae Month mean to you?
It’s a strong reminder of the root of our music and the culture that we have ... how powerful it is, how strong it is. And it is a reminder that ... you know how they say that ‘a king is never crowned in his own country’ ... that’s not true for reggae and Jamaica. The Government of Jamaica truly does embrace the culture and they are amazing.
You can see by the effort that they put into the music, even for tonight [launch on Wednesday] look how people showed up for it. It’s a huge statement. So to me, it is everything, you know? And the fact that we have such a leader who loves our music and our culture this much to step out so strong with J Wray & Nephew, to celebrate our culture ... big-ups to Minister Grange and the rest of her crew, everybody from JCDC.
4. What Reggae Month events will you be doing this year?
I’ll be performing at the Wickie Wackie Festival and also the Bob Marley celebration, at Emancipation Park. I’m gonna be here [in Jamaica]. I will be popping up by some of these events just to show people what it feels like. It’s a feeling you know.
5. Your song Warrior Love was released in 2008, the same year that February was officially declared Reggae Month in Jamaica. You sang it at the launch and the response was amazing. What’s so special about this song?
Shereita Lewis, who is a writer and singer, here in Jamaica, wrote Warrior Love. Did you know that? If, for example, I am performing in front of a Caribbean audience and I don’t do Warrior Love, they call for it. It is a very popular song in Jamaica ... it’s a favourite.
BRAWTA:
What do you want to tell your fans?
Well, I’m going to tell them that ‘I hope you’ve been listening to Kingston Town. I hope you will be listening to the new music that will drop at the end of this month and in March, and for the rest of 2026. Come out to the shows as you always have, and celebrate Reggae Month and our culture.