Etana - File Photos

Etana has strong views on issues varying from family to politics. The STAR sat down with the songstress to get her responses to 10 questions.

These are her views as told to Sadeke Brooks.

What are your views on the high crime rate in Jamaica?

Etana: People go out there and some a dem do things upon order given by people even higher up - political society - and you have people weh go out there because of poverty. Because of poverty, dem take these orders and go out and do things. It's not just somebody running around crazy 'cause dem lose dem mind 'cause, sometimes, dem know exactly who dem going after. Major crimes are well constructed and organised. As long as this situation continues to escalate and people can't afford life, then you will always have crime all over the world; not just Jamaica.

2. What are some of the challenges that you face as a female artiste in a male-dominated music industry?

Etana: I don't think I have any problems with any promoter or any media house. My only concern or problem to work out right now is with the record label that I am signed to, VP records. You know how back in the days, women never used to get dem fair chance to go onstage or fair share of airplay? I can't say any of that and I am very grateful for all of the help and support that I have been getting since 2006 when I released my first single, until now.

3. Do you still have a good relationship with members of the girl group, Give, of which you were part?

Etana: I haven't spoken to them since. What would I say after leaving a band and not going on tour when you are supposed to and just boxing out on them? After that, I didn't have much to say. I wish I could say sorry and it would be enough, but I doubt it. At the time I said sorry. I don't regret it and I am completely happy with my decision. I am happy being me.

4. Why do you lock only some of your hair?

Etana: Mek mi tell you, there was a time when rasta was completely rasta so when you see a man wid locks, you know he was rasta. In this time, it's a style and you can't tell who is rasta and who is not. Locking up your whole head is considered sealing the covenant but for me, I want people to look at the way I live and don't judge me by my hair. My livity is enough.

5. If you were the prime minister for a day, what are some of the things that you would do?

Etana: First of all, I would go to every garrison school and upgrade them to the highest level possible so that the children could have access to higher education: equip them with books, computers, add desk and chair and add on classrooms. Mi nuh know weh di budget would come from, but mi would haffi tek it from something to do that. I would upgrade the teachers' pay 'cause they should be respected at the highest level just like a lawyer or a judge.

Health care would be free for the elderly, children and mothers that are out of jobs. And I would remove every liquor store from out of the garrison and put them in one central area. The other thing I would do is legalise marijuana, 'cause when it is forbidden, that's what makes it sweet. But I don't smoke at all.

6. What is your biggest source of strength?

Etana:The creator of life and all living things. Without the Most High, nothing is possible. Without Selassie I, nothing is possible. Without Marcus Garvey, I wouldn't have the strength. Without my ancestors, there would be no strength. So it's a lot of things.

7. Having been a teenage mother, do you think society is too harsh on teenage mothers?

Etana: Society is no longer that harsh on teenage mothers as it was before. But what they can do is encourage them to go further instead of talk down to them and make them feel small. Making it harder for them doesn't help.

8. What are some of the struggles you faced as a teenage mother?

Etana: I think finding out that I was pregnant; I cried for two weeks straight. My mother knew before me and she is the one that sent me to the doctor to take the test. And I came back and I told her and she said, "mek sure seh you and the babyfather take care of it". That was it. I was already working and going to school. I never wanted to graduate without a diploma, so I went to an adult education class. I graduated three weeks before having the baby.

9. Is there anything in your life that you would have done differently?

Etana: I regret nothing in my life, nothing at all. The only thing that I would want right now is for my son to be next to me everywhere I go, but that would not be fair to him as far as his education is concerned. I don't regret anything 'cause everything that I have done, and everywhere I have been in my life have made me who I am today.

10. What advice would you give to other women planning to go into the music industry?

Etana: First, you have to be serious about it. You have to have a vision of where you want to go. You have to believe in yourself, know yourself and what you want. And teach people how to treat you or else, disrespect will come. As a female in the business, sleeping with someone does not help any situation. And if it seems like it's helping, it's only temporary. So try your best to keep your legs closed as much as possible.