Etana

Event Details

Moes Alley presents Grammy-nominated, international reggae star Etana with special guest from Salinas, Estrella!

Wednesday, 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 2X Grammy Award nominee. 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 by VP Records 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 in 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 Tads Records. The distinction by The Recording Academy marked the first time in over twenty years that a woman was designated in 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 collaborations with Vybz Kartel, Damian Marley, and Stonebwoy.

Estrella

Estrella, a dynamic West Coast singer/songwriter, masterfully fuses reggae, Rs 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 the horizon.

Important Notice

This event is 21 and over. Any ticket holder unable to present valid identification indicating that they are at least 21 years of age will not be admitted to this event and will not be eligible for a refund.