ETANA ADDS DANCEHALL FLAVORS TO UPCOMING PROJECT “REGGAE FOREVER”!

By Simone Morgan-Lindo—
REGGAE singer Etana will be adding some dancehall flavor to her upcoming project slated for March next year. The 12-track set, titled Reggae Forever , will see the entertainer showing her deejaying prowess on a few tracks.

“Some a these sounds ah go make some listeners say: ‘Whatttt?!!’ Some are going to be surprised, but they shouldn’t be — it is just me being versatile. Of course, I am really excited about it,” Etana told the Sunday Observer.

Etana

This versatility is evident on her latest single My Man, produced by in-demand dancehall producer DJ Frass. The single was co-written by Tarrus Riley and herself.

DJ Frass is the producer behind Alkaline’s New Level Unlocked Album and Vybz Kartel’s Make Di Star Shine.

Etana said while she is tapping into dancehall, DJ Frass is adding reggae to his resume.

“My Man is a mixture of reggae and dancehall, so we are both showcasing our versatility,” she said.

Etana — who now calls Florida home — is currently in the island to shoot the music video for her upcoming single Burn. Both the song and music video are slated for an October 4 release.

“We are yet to set a location for the video, but I can say that it will be shot all across Jamaica and that Jay Will will be the director,” said Etana.

Burn is produced by Florida-based Jay Vibe of Free My Music records label.

Etana, a staple on the reggae scene for little over a decade, left the internationally acclaimed VP Records in 2013 after a six-year association.

She said while she is appreciative of what the company did for her, she saw the need to break away.

“I have recorded four albums with VP and they have been a large part of my journey since 2007, but I just wanted to break away a bit. Also, I wanted more support than what I was getting,” she disclosed.

Etana (given Shauna McKenzie) said there are pluses and pitfalls being an independent artiste when compared to being signed to a major label.

“It’s a little less stressing as there are less persons to talk to and to get approval from. However, now I have to spend my own money for my music and this can be very expensive,” she revealed.

Since the start of the year, Etana has had a very hectic touring schedule. She recently wrapped up a three-month tour of the United States and Canada.

“My most memorable moments were Belmont, California World Music Festival; my dates in Canada… Montreal and Calgary; my show in Atlanta with Beres… It has been a truly amazing summer,” she added.

Later this year, the songbird will head to Japan for her two-week Reggae Forever tour with dates in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. Japan has the second-biggest market for music in the world.