Friday July 12th, 2013

WorldBeat Cultural Center

2100 Park Blvd

San Diego, CA 92101

$10 Adv/ $12 Door

www.etanathestrongone.com/

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More info 619-230-1190

In the early 2000s, singer Etana (Shauna McKenzie) fully recognized the power of music and its widespread influence, especially upon the youth; that realization prompted a seismic shift in her career trajectory. Living in Florida at the time where she was studying to become a nurse, she left college to join the female pop-R&B trio Gift. While shooting a music video with the group she defied the overtly sexual stereotypes forced upon female artists and walked off the set, protesting the requisite attire of lingerie and stilettos and invasive camera angles. She returned to her birthplace, Jamaica, with the intention of opening an internet cafe but a fateful meeting with 5th Element Records, then the management/record label of reggae singer Richie Spice, resulted in her selection as one of Spice’s backup singers and eventually, her own recordings.