Spirited in her approach to communicate fitting and inspirational messages to the youth sheβs 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 wasnβt 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 Spiceβs 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 canβt water down and dilute" featured in the chorus.
Videoβs 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.
Roots
Etana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey yea yea. heyeaa yeaa.. oh oh
OH.
Hey yeaaa-yeaa
So u beat them
So u lock them down and u think that you've won
Chorus:
But dem ah hole a mediation (Dem ah hold a mediation)
Out inna I-ration (out inna I-ration)
Dem a follow Rastafari and a live, ah live out right
So tell me whe u a go do now (So tell me whe u a go do)
Tell me wat u gonna do now (Tell me wat u gonna do)
Tell me wat u gonna do now that di youth ah hold dem roots
You can't water down and dilute
You can't hide di trut from di yout
You can steal di fruit not the root
Cos di yout ah hold dem roots
Hey yeah yeaa..oh ohh (instrumental)
Give dem cartoons (Cartoons) to turn dem fool (Turn them fool)
You poison their foods and u think that you've won
Chorus:
But dem ah hole a mediation (Dem ah hold a mediation)
Out inna I-ration (out inna I-ration)
Dem a follow Rastafari and a live, ah live out right
So tell me whe u a go do now (So tell me whe u a go do)
Tell me wat u gonna do now (Tell me wat u gonna do)
Tell me wat u gonna do now that di youth ah hold dem roots
You can't water down and dilute
You can't hide di trut from di yout
You can steal di fruit not the root
Cos di yout ah hold dem roots
(instrumental)
Come with yuh negative spirit
But di youths dem nah feel it
Come around with ur white lies trying to blind everyone's eyes
Chorus:
But dem ah hole a mediation (Dem ah hold a mediation)
Out inna I-ration (out inna I-ration)
Dem a follow Rastafari and a live, ah live out right
So tell me whe u a go do now (So tell me whe u a go do)
Tell me wat u gonna do now (Tell me wat u gonna do)
Tell me wat u gonna do now that di youth ah hold dem roots
You can't water down and dilute
You can't hide di trut from di yout
You can steal di fruit not the root
Cos di yout ah hold dem roots
You can't water down and dilute
You can't hide di trut from di yout
You can steal di fruit not the root
Cos di yout ah hold dem roots
Live up now yout, live yu now, live up now. Hey yea yea, live up now yout, live up now. Yout hold your root!
Hey dem can't water down and dilute
You can't hide di trut from di yout
You can steal di fruit not the root
Cos di yout ah hold dem roots
(sing to fade)
The lyrics of Etana's song "Roots" emphasize the importance of maintaining cultural heritage, values, and traditions. The first verse addresses those who attempt to oppress or suppress others, suggesting that no matter how hard they try, they cannot take away someone's essence. The chorus highlights the notion that the younger generation holds the roots of their culture firmly, and no one can dilute or steal their truths. Etana encourages the youth to live up to their heritage and not let anyone influence them with negativity. The song also points out that following the Rastafari culture leads to living a righteous life.
Throughout the song, Etana contrasts the efforts of oppressors to control others by diluting their cultural roots and values with the power of positive influence and knowledge of one's heritage. The song blends reggae, soul, and R&B melodies to create a message that resonates with people across generations and cultures. "Roots" serves as a timely reminder to stand firm in one's beliefs and not be swayed by those who wish to control or manipulate them.
Line by Line Meaning
Dem cant tek mi soun yanna
They cannot silence me.
So u beat them
You physically abuse them.
So u mistreat them
You treat them unfairly.
So u lock them down and u think that you've won
You imprison them thinking you've defeated them.
But dem ah hole a mediation (Dem ah hold a mediation)
But they are holding a meeting.
Out inna I-ration (out inna I-ration)
In the creation of our ancestors.
Dem a follow Rastafari and a live, ah live out right
They follow the way of Rastafarianism to live righteously.
So tell me whe u a go do now (So tell me whe u a go do)
So what are you going to do?
Tell me wat u gonna do now (Tell me wat u gonna do)
Tell me what you are going to do?
Tell me wat u gonna do now that di youth ah hold dem roots
Tell me what you are going to do now that the youth hold their roots (culture).
You can't water down and dilute
You cannot weaken or reduce their identity.
You can't hide di trut from di yout
You cannot hide the truth from the youth.
You can steal di fruit not the root
You can take away what they have achieved but not their foundation.
Cos di yout ah hold dem roots
Because the youth are holding on to their roots (culture).
Give dem cartoons (Cartoons) to turn dem fool (Turn them fool)
You give them cartoons to make them stupid.
You poison their foods and u think that you've won
You contaminate their food thinking you will defeat them.
Come with yuh negative spirit
You bring your negative energy.
But di youths dem nah feel it
But the youth do not let it affect them.
Come around with ur white lies trying to blind everyone's eyes
You spread false information to deceive people.
Live up now yout, live yu now, live up now.
Live your life now, live it to the fullest.
Hey yea yea, live up now yout, live up now.
Hey yeah yeah, live your life now, live it to the fullest.
Yout hold your root!
The youth hold on to their roots (culture)!
Hey dem can't water down and dilute
Hey, they cannot weaken or reduce it.
You can't hide di trut from di yout
You cannot hide the truth from the youth.
You can steal di fruit not the root
You can take away what they have achieved but not their foundation.
Cos di yout ah hold dem roots
Because the youth are holding on to their roots (culture).
Contributed by Nathan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Viki Idol
Just discovered this classy, spirit-fueled young lady with this beautiful contralto voice and am loving this! β€πΆπ€π
Shevonne Christian
i love this song so much it just the reality of life
empress VIAA
this girl has to be a GODDESS - a prophet from JAH MOST HIGH
Food for thought Z = X
Female prophecy family ππΎ
BIGBOIJDM
BLACK cinderella she's my princess, Lauryn Hill is my Queen
Marcia Morris
Beautiful, free-spirit, positive energy, powerful message, talented and bless woman Etana love you blessings! β€οΈπͺπ₯π―ππΌπ―π²
Destiny Duncan
My class did a dance to this!!!! She is a very talented lady!!!!!
Misunderstood Souls
The soundtrack to my childhood
sheryl grant
i love this songππ
gichuru simon
This classic tune defined Etana for me as true prophetic lyricist