Spirited in her approach to communicate fitting and inspirational messages to the youth she’s been described by critics as the truth, one who will bring about real change with her powerful and captivating voice that at times seem flawlessly pure. Rebellious in her approach to denote systematic oppression against all races Etana takes pride in being an artist, she feels strongly that her responsibility as a recording artist is to express positive vibrations in her music and from this she will graceful admit to staying the course.
Born Shauna McKenzie Etana spent her youthful days playing in the hill side community of August Town situated in the South Eastern side of Jamaica. The only daughter of a fairly large family of boys she was as curious then as she is determined now doing the mischievous things most children tend to do at an early age. Attending school locally up until 1992 when she migrated to the U.S to start a new life in the sunshine state of Miami Florida Etana was a budding achiever; she finished grade school and eventually went off to college the year after with plans of becoming a Registered Nurse.
During her studies at Broward Community College Etana became extremely passionate about music, she was consumed with the joy of creating her own mix of the different genres she would attentively listen to in her earlier years. A hardened fan of Reggae, Pop, Hip Hop and Jazz Musicians she found inspiration in Whitney Houston, Lauren Hill, Jill Scott, Sizzla Kalongi, Marcia Griffiths and the legend Bob Marley all of who eventually gave the then academic the will to explore a new and potentially more suited career in Music.
In 2000 after making a tough decision to prematurely exit college Etana attempted a shot at stardom when she joined a girl group by the name "GIFT" which was being courted by Universal Records. Sexy, Reviling and conforming to the industry stereo type of how a woman should dress Etana fell victim to her dreams of becoming a mainstream star. It wasn’t her ideal fit but she conformed to the record labels requests and gave in to her groups glamorous appeal until one day while on a video shoot for their lead single she could bear it no more, walking away from the spotlights and returning to her place of birth Kingston, Jamaica to start fresh as an entrepreneur looking to grab a piece of the Cyber Market with an Internet Cafe.
Down but not out Etana still wanted to do music but only in her own way, she wanted to send a different message and portray a more eloquent look and this opportunity came in 2005 when a friend brought her to Fifth Element who at the time was prospering from the strength of Richie Spice who was heavily booked for several American and European Tours. Auditioning for a shot at becoming the backup vocalist for Spice Etana vocally floored his management team and was handed a plane ticket to do a few shows in the U.S. The ensuing fifteen months followed with the now permanent songstress soaking up valued experience as a stage performer with performance credits in Europe and North America. Eager to make her own mark Etana boldly attempted a hit single one day while chilling with the guitar player and Percussionist from Richie Spice’s band. The idea had been floating in her thoughts for weeks and like magic the melody for her debut smash single "Wrong Address" was born. Simple yet effective the single was a fusion of Jazz and Reggae, it was the first of its kind and in 2006 the song was rewarded with heavy radio rotations plunging it in the number 1 position of several local charts.
Describing her style back then Etana was quoted as saying "I do music straight from the heart, straight from the soul, straight from the people i see in everyday life" and so came about her second major hit Roots which was an intriguing mix of African and reggae cultural sounds fused with Jamaican Creole. The song became an anthem because of the definitive statement "You can’t water down and dilute" featured in the chorus.
Video’s for both songs helped bring Etana to the forefront of Reggae and during the summer and winter of 2007 she made her mark as a solo artist performing on international events like Reggae Sumfest, Fully Loaded, ATI Live Concert, Irie Jamboree, Welcome to Jamrock and Guinness Sting. Picking up where she left off in 2007 Etana began 2008 with the same level of focus rocking the likes of an Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival in late January so much so that patrons lashed the promoters for putting her on too early. A few well deserved awards in the bag Etana took home Best Female Vocalist at both the Excellence in Music & Entertainment (EME) Awards and the IRIE FM Radio Awards not to mention an award for Best Solo Female Reggae Vocalist copped at the 1st annual Reggae Academy Awards for which she had nominations in 3 separate categories.
Currently promoting her new singles "Warrior Love" and "I Am Not Afraid" off her soon to be released debut album ETANA THE STRONG ONE on VP Records Etana is boldly taking on the world of music with the help of her new management team at Solid Agency. Owner of Free Mind Music / The Best Records Etana is poised to do Reggae proud.
August Town
Etana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nananaaa nananaaa hmn
A word from the wise don't try to make life on your own
Remember that Jah Jah is by your side
For I was a soul who was lost and my life was in dismay
For among evil forces which I played
Guns and armunations where my chosen way of life
With God fearing people I chose to strive
For all of the lives that are taken
They can never be replaced
But still Jah Jah chose to remember my face
Though I never lived like he wanted,
I was mind full of what he thought me
So now I beg and plea I'm on my bending knees coz father he rescue me
I've got the scurs to show I barely made it along life's road
But when my life got dark he was the only
Spark he was the light at the end of road
When I was young boy growing up in august town
We ate from the same pot
We we're idlings all around
From corner to color n coner
From rackers to jungle kintyer
Crime scenes to traders and rivers all around
Anthem the football ground became my
Battlefield and my life seemed so surreal
People where falling all around,
But Jah helped me to stand my ground only Jah
Only Jah could have helped me to stand my ground
Though I never lived like he wanted
I was mindful of what he thought me
So now I beg and plea I'm on my bending knees
God father you rescue me
And I've got the scars to show I barely made it along life's road
But when my life got dark he was the
Only spark the light at the end of the road
Oh ohhh
Never lived to please him, never lived like I should
Ohhhhhh ohhh oooohhhhhh
Father you rescue me
Oh yeah oh yeah
I've lived and I've learned the mistakes along the way
Now I beg for forgiveness
Each day as I try to pray
So take it from me son
You can change the world today
And I'm living proof, living proof that crime doesn't pay
For I never lived like he wanted I was mindful of what he thought me
So now I beg and plea i'm on my bending knees God father you rescue
Me and I've got the scars to show I barely made it along life's road
Coz when my life got dark he was the
Only spark the light at the end of road
I never lived like he wanted I was mindful of what he thought me
So now I beg and plea i'm on my bending knees God father you rescue me
And I've got the scars to show I barely made it along life's road
As my life got dark he was the
Only spark the light at the end of road
I never lived never lived
I never lived way he wanted me to
I never lived God I tell you
The song "August Town" by Etana is a reflection on the singer's past life and how she was able to turn away from a life of crime and violence. The lyrics advise against trying to make it in life on one's own, but to always remember that Jah (God) is by one's side. The singer admits to being lost and living a life full of evil forces, guns, and ammunition. She acknowledges the lives taken due to violence, and while they can never be replaced, Jah still remembered her face. Despite not living the way God wanted her to, the singer was mindful of what he taught her, and she pleads to him for forgiveness and rescue.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the singer's upbringing in August Town, where crime and violence were prevalent. She recalls growing up and eating from the same pot with her neighbors, but also seeing people falling all around her, making the football field her battlefield. Despite all of this, the singer maintains that only Jah could have helped her stand her ground. The scars she bears are evidence of barely surviving on life's road, but she was able to find her way to the end of the road through the light provided by Jah.
Etana's "August Town" has a powerful message about the importance of having faith and not taking life for granted. It teaches us that no matter how lost we may feel, or how wrong we may have lived, there is always a chance to turn things around and seek forgiveness.
Line by Line Meaning
A word from the wise don't try to make life on your own
Don't try to live your life without guidance from someone wiser than you.
Remember that Jah Jah is by your side
Always remember that you have a powerful protector with you.
For I was a soul who was lost and my life was in dismay
I once felt lost and hopeless in life.
For among evil forces which I played
I was influenced by bad people and ideas.
Guns and armunations where my chosen way of life
I thought that violence was the only way I could survive.
With God fearing people I chose to strive
I found strength and guidance from people who believed in God.
For all of the lives that are taken
Every life lost is a tragedy that cannot be undone.
They can never be replaced
The loss of a life is irreplaceable and painful.
But still Jah Jah chose to remember my face
God saved me despite my past mistakes.
Though I never lived like he wanted,
I didn't always live up to God's expectations.
I was mind full of what he thought me
However, I always kept his teachings in mind.
So now I beg and plea I'm on my bending knees coz father he rescue me
Now I pray on my knees, asking God for forgiveness and thanking him for saving me.
I've got the scurs to show I barely made it along life's road
I have scars from the struggles I faced along the journey of life.
But when my life got dark he was the only Spark he was the light at the end of road
When I was at my lowest, God was my only hope and he guided me back to the path of light.
When I was young boy growing up in august town
I grew up in the neighborhood of August Town.
We ate from the same pot We we're idlings all around
We were all equals and lived together in harmony.
From corner to color n coner From rackers to jungle kintyer Crime scenes to traders and rivers all around
This neighborhood had different sections with people from different backgrounds and jobs.
Anthem the football ground became my Battlefield and my life seemed so surreal People where falling all around,
Playing football at Anthem Park became a place of conflict and danger as people were getting hurt around me.
But Jah helped me to stand my ground only Jah Only Jah could have helped me to stand my ground
It was only with the help of God that I was able to stay strong and not fall apart.
Oh ohhh Never lived to please him, never lived like I should Ohhhhhh ohhh oooohhhhhh Father you rescue me Oh yeah oh yeah
I didn't live my life to please God and didn't always do what was right, but he still saved me.
I've lived and I've learned the mistakes along the way Now I beg for forgiveness Each day as I try to pray So take it from me son You can change the world today
I've made mistakes in my life but learned from them, and now I pray for forgiveness every day. You have the power to change the world just like I did.
And I'm living proof, living proof that crime doesn't pay
I am an example that doing wrong and committing crimes won't bring any good in life.
Coz when my life got dark he was the Only spark the light at the end of road
When my life became tough and gloomy, God was my guiding light and showed me the way out.
I never lived never lived I never lived way he wanted me to I never lived God I tell you
I confess that I didn't always live as God wanted me to.
Writer(s): Anthony Michael, Augustus Clarke, Carlton Lennox Hines, Curtis Lynch, Shauna Mckenzie
Contributed by Ruby N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@brianyblaqq8175
This song has a strong message not only for the Jamaican youth but most if not all youths in the world. Big Up Etana!!
@patliteraryworks8947
Conscious song coming from a conscious lady. Engaging in crime and violence will only stifle progress. The less fortunate in society no matter where you live are likely to feel it the most. Like Etana I would like to see our people return to the glory days(regardless of your political or other persausion we still embrace other. Crime and violence is counterproductive. We are one people, with one destiny. Time for us to come together and work to uplift and enhance each one. Keep singing conscious and uplifting music Etana.
@RGE_Music
listened to this on a beach in the Dominican Republic with my uncle and now current fiancee and friends at 1 am with a huge thunderstorm and city lights in the back. I wish i could go back one more time.
@reggaedirect
real power in etana thats what makes etana so blessed wow etana u wicked!!! gwaaaaaaaannnnn girl!!!! i love it respect
@beechboi
Jamaican classic .. deserve a 100 million views message in the music
@tanekapandy8911
I was 10 years old when i feel in love with her and her music 😍🤗💯✔
@fullyfresh2198
Mi too 😂 what a coincidence
@larenrob1
6 yrs after and it still nuh get better....August Town
@staceygood2
I miss living in the ghetto.
@theodorepottinger3796
Now this is real music! Big up yuh self