Arguably the most prolific female vocalist in present day Reggae singer/ so… Read Full Bio ↴Arguably the most prolific female vocalist in present day Reggae singer/ songwriter Etana has struck a cord with the masses and like any beautiful melody she’s winning the hearts of the people one song at a time.

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.

The Prayer
Etana Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah!
Uh yeah!
Yeah yeah!

I'll be your bridge when you need to make it over
I'll be the side when you're lost along the way
You see the lights I'm shining in the darkness,
just know in time, whenever all along,

Chorus:
24-7 child will be there
I've got assurance, he's always there
And I can never imagine, life being the same way
'cause without love I'm nothing at all.

I can never surrender, no
though attracted to me wrong,
at the weeks that I am wrong
you got to hold on
There's a road you got to travel,
many dangers up ahead
and we can never be defeated
don't you ever be afraid.

Chorus:
24-7 child will be there
I've got assurance, he's always there
And I can never imagine, life being the same way
'cause without you I'm nothing at all.

Uh, and the time of trouble child will never let you down
Always be around, be .
Mhmm, you will end the waters deep in the tighest high
I know for sure, because

3 x Chorus:
24-7 I will be there
I've got assurance, he's always there
And I can never imagine, life being the same way
'cause without love I'm nothing at all.

24-7
He will be there, He will be there.

Overall Meaning

Etana's song "The Prayer" is a powerful message about faith and the love we have for others. The first verse talks about being a bridge for someone to cross over, no matter what difficulties they may be facing. The main message here is about being a support system for someone who needs it. The second verse speaks to the struggles of life and how important it is to hold on, even when things get tough. The chorus repeats the message that no matter what, the singer will always be there for those who need it.

Throughout the song, there is a theme of unconditional love and faith. The lyrics suggest that without love, the singer is nothing. The song paints a picture of a loving and supportive community, where everyone looks out for each other. The message of unity and support is especially poignant in the current climate of division and social isolation.

Overall, "The Prayer" is a beautiful song with powerful lyrics that inspire us to be better, more compassionate human beings.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll be your bridge when you need to make it over
I will assist and support you when you're facing difficulties or obstacles.

I'll be the side when you're lost along the way
I will guide and direct you when you've lost your sense of direction.

You see the lights I'm shining in the darkness,
I am a source of hope and positivity when everything around you seems bleak.

just know in time, whenever all along,
Believe that things will eventually get better even when it seems like they won't.

24-7 child will be there
I am available to help and support you at any time - day or night.

I've got assurance, he's always there
I have the confidence and faith that my source of strength and support is always present.

And I can never imagine, life being the same way
I cannot envision my life without this constant support and love.

'cause without love I'm nothing at all.
My life lacks meaning and purpose without the presence of love and support.

I can never surrender, no
I will never give up or give in, even in the face of adversity.

though attracted to me wrong,
Despite being tempted or pulled towards negative actions or decisions.

at the weeks that I am wrong
During the times when I make mistakes or wrong choices.

you got to hold on
You need to stay strong and persevere.

There's a road you got to travel,
There is a path that you must journey on.

many dangers up ahead
There will be various hazards and obstacles along the way.

and we can never be defeated
We will never be completely overcome or destroyed.

don't you ever be afraid.
Do not succumb to fear or anxiety.

Uh, and the time of trouble child will never let you down
During difficult times, my source of support and strength will always be reliable and dependable.

Always be around, be .
My source of support will always be present and available.

Mhmm, you will end the waters deep in the tighest high
You will go through deep struggles and extreme highs.

I know for sure, because
I have absolute certainty and faith in this fact.

24-7 I will be there
I am there for you anytime, anywhere.

He will be there, He will be there.
My source of strength and support will always be present and available.

Writer(s): Kirk Andre Bennett, Aeion Hoilett, Kemar Ricardo Mc Gregor, Shauna Gayle Melissa Mckenzie, Shane Connery Brown, Lamont Savory Copyright: Stb Music Inc., Greensleeves Publishing Limited

Contributed by Brayden F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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