Etana held her own at the 32nd IRAWMA International Reggae and World Music Awards in Coral Springs, Florida this past Saturday (May 4). The VP recording artist hosted the annual ceremony, performed her latest single “Reggae” to the auditorium’s full house and took home the award for Best Female Vocalist. Marcia Griffiths, Queen Ifrica, Allison Hinds, Patrice Roberts and Nkulee Dube were also nominated in this category.

“We are so proud of Etana and to be a part of her journey. Her poise and sheer determination always shine through. She is one of the most talented singer-songwriters of her time, and we are glad that the community and the IRAWMA organization recognize her contributions to the genre,” says VP Records Co-founder Patricia Chin.

Etana recently released her third studio album Better Tomorrow on VP Records, which is currently #1 on the South Florida Reggae Album chart. Better Tomorrow is a true testament to her evolved sound and her first album to be backed by all live instrumentation. Her brand new video for the contagious single “Reggae,” directed by Kerrin McLean, was shot at Jamaican musical landmarks including the iconic Marley-owned Tuff Gong Studios, Rockers International record shop and Kingston Dub Club.

Watch the official “Reggae” video here

Etana heads back to her native island at the end of the month to participate in the International Women’s Forum Cornerstone Conference held in the Montego Bay Convention Center. Etana will speak on a panel entitled Jamaican Women In Music – Raising The Pitch And Lifting The Bar alongside Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange and Jade Lee. The session begins at 10am on May 31, 2013.

Fans flying Caribbean Airlines can also check out Etana in the May/June Issue of their in-flight magazine Caribbean Beat.