Etana’s uplifting reggae music inspires fans worldwide
Photo courtesy of Freemind Music Records. Photo credit: Marvin Bartley.
Fresh off the release of her amazing new album, “Nectar of the Gods”, Daily Reggae caught up with reggae star, Etana to learn about her new music, international touring, and inspiration as an artist.
Etana - Your new album, “Nectar of the Gods” is absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations! How did you change up your song writing process to keep things fresh on the album?
I write based on the times and how I feel. Therefore my experiences, lessons learnt, spiritual growth and the world as it is influences my mood and writing.
You collaborated with some amazing artists like Randy Valentine, Big Youth, Samini, and Mr. Cheeks. Can you share a story about how one of the collabs came together and what made it fun creating with the artist?
The songs were written and created before contacting the other artists. Then based on the sound of the artist and the lyrical content, the artists are contacted for the best fit. The fun part is going back and forth and hearing their ideas and watching the thought of the collaboration come to life in a short period of time.
I love how you cover so many important topics in the album including love, thankfulness, faith and so much more. What is one of your favorite songs on your album and what does that song mean to you?
One of my favorite tracks on the album is Grateful which reminds everyone everyday to be grateful for all the goodness they have even for the lessons learnt from what is perceived to be a bad experience.
You have been touring around the world - what have been a few of your favorite shows and are there some new songs off that album that you’ve been enjoying playing during your live sets? Since the release of the album,
I have been to London, Germany, Amsterdam, Rotadam, and on my way to California. I have done a collection of songs from the catalog and from the new album. I have played Grateful, Don’t Give Up, and Jah Never Fail. As we go through the rest of the year, I will be doing more and other songs from the album.
What does Nectar of the Gods mean to you and what do you want your fans and new listeners to feel?
Nectar of the Gods is the idea that music is sweet as honey with the power to uplift and carry generations through the most challenging times. No matter our backgrounds, our culture, we all know music is powerful beyond measure. Therefore, music has to be the Nectar of the Gods.
