Etana Is Back With “Nectar Of The Gods”

While reggae often celebrates its legendary male artists like Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, and Peter Tosh, the contributions of women to the genre sometimes require more deliberate recognition. Even though some female artists have iconic hits, it can be challenging to firmly place them among the greatest. I’m not going to blame sexism outright, though I’m certainly guilty of supporting that narrative. I love my ladies, but my list of favorites is typically short, featuring Phyllis Dillon and occasionally Marcia Griffiths, depending on my mood.

Women Making Waves Is this a bad thing? Not entirely. It’s well known that women in reggae have had to fight for their rightful place, whether it’s on stage or in concert lineups, which is undeniably unfair. However, women are thriving today, proving they deserve equal standing alongside the men. In recent decades, female artists have been producing incredible music in both dancehall and roots reggae. Queen Ifrica, Sevana, Alaine, and Shenseea are just a few examples, dispelling James Brown’s “man’s world” narrative and showing that they deserve equal recognition.

Etana: A Standout Artist Among these powerful women is Etana, a major figure in reggae since 2008 with eight albums to her name. I first discovered her through her fiery track I Am Not Afraid on the Rub-A-Dub riddim. Since then, Etana has earned a permanent spot on my list of artists, male or female, who can do no wrong. Her smooth yet commanding voice, along with her ability to deliver meaningful, crowd-pleasing songs, has made her a headliner with a vast catalog of fan favorites.

New Album: Nectar of the Gods Etana’s latest album, Nectar of the Gods, solidifies her status as one of the top reggae artists today. The opening track, Jah Never Fails, is a soulful roots anthem that speaks to her faith and trust in Jah. Throughout her career, Etana has maintained a strong focus on love, gratitude, and women’s empowerment, and this album continues that trend. Tracks like Grateful and Don’t Give Up are beautifully produced anthems, while Mr. Jones and Vibration show her versatility, adding a touch of sex appeal. She also surprises with a fantastic dancehall track, Set Up Yuhself, proving she can deliver across genres. While the collaboration with Mr. Cheeks on Weh Di Weed Deh feels a bit out of place, the album overall is a dynamic collection that will undoubtedly place her among 2024’s best.

Future Icon Once again, Etana has raised the bar, challenging both men and women in reggae to keep up. I’m confident that in another decade, she’ll be firmly on my list of all-time favorites. In the meantime, I’ll do my part to champion the incredible women of reggae. The saying goes, “Good, better, best. Never let it rest,” and with Etana, that sentiment rings true.