Jamaican songbird Etana continues to make her mark on the global stage, standing as the sole Jamaican headliner for the highly anticipated Jazz n’ Creole 2025 in Dominica. Set to take place on May 4 at Fort Shirley in the Cabrits National Park, the festival boasts a stellar lineup of regional and international acts. Etana’s inclusion further affirms her influence in Caribbean music, coming on the heels of her historic Etana Day honour in Lauderhill, Florida, where the city officially recognized February 10, 2025, as a day to celebrate her contributions to music and culture. Reflecting on the milestone, she shared, “I never thought that one day I would be honored by the Mayor of the city I grew up in,” thanking Mayor Denise D. Grant for the recognition.
With a career spanning over a decade, Etana has remained a prominent force in reggae. She made history as the first female artist in 15 years to top the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and has received two Grammy nominations for Reggae Forever (2018) and Pamoja (2022). Her latest album, Nectar of the Gods, released in July 2024, continues to showcase her ability to merge reggae with elements of soul and folk. The album features collaborations with icons such as Big Youth, Shatta Wale, and Bugle, and its lead single, Don’t Give Up, has resonated deeply with young women navigating adversity. As she takes center stage at Jazz n’ Creole 2025, fans can expect a performance that embodies her signature blend of passion, authenticity, and empowerment.
Beyond the festival stage, Etana’s global appeal remains undeniable. Reggae music, a genre deeply rooted in Jamaican culture, continues to flourish internationally, with streaming statistics showing consistent growth. According to data from Billboard, reggae and dancehall collectively amass over 500 million streams per month on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, with Etana ranking among the top female reggae artists globally. Her resilience was recently tested when a scheduled performance in Nairobi was unexpectedly canceled in December 2024, allegedly due to industry interference. However, she refused to be silenced, taking to social media to question the forces working against “one woman in reggae.” Despite the setback, her Etana Live in Nairobi album, recorded during the Pamoja Festival, remains a testament to her powerful presence and unwavering connection with African audiences.
As Dominica gears up for Jazz n’ Creole 2025, Etana’s inclusion reinforces reggae’s enduring impact and her own legacy as a trailblazer in the industry.
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