Sevana

Anna-Sharé Blake (born 1991), known professionally as Sevana, is a Jamaican singer. Under Protoje's In.Digg.Nation Collective label, Sevana released her self-titled EP in 2016. She made her major label debut in 2020 with Be Somebody.

Sevana
Background information
Birth nameAnna-Sharé Blake
Also known asSevana Siren
Born1991 (age 29–30)
Savanna-la-Mar, Jamaica
GenresReggae
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active2008-2009, 2014–present
Labels
  • In.Digg.Nation
  • RCA
Associated actsProtoje

Biography

Sevana was born in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, Jamaica in 1991.[1] In 2008, at 16 years old, Sevana entered the local music competition Digicel Rising Stars, where she formed the girl group SLR with two other girls from her school. Her group advanced into the top ten of the competition and placed in third.[2][3] SLR broke up the next year in 2009, and Sevana went on hiatus.[4] During her hiatus from music, Sevana worked several jobs as a customer service agent, social media coordinator, and waitress after graduating from Manning's School.[5]

In 2014, Sevana resumed writing and performing music.[5] Later that year, she was featured on contemporary reggae singer Protoje's "Sudden Flight" on his album Ancient Future. She also began to regularly appear with his band, Indiggnation, in live performances, and later toured with the band in July 2015.[3] In April 2015, Protoje signed Sevana under his In.Digg.Nation Collective label.[6] Sevana released her eponymous EP in 2016, and embarked on an European tour.[3] After the release, in 2016, she played the lead role in the Television Jamaica mini web series, Losing Patience.[5] She later collaborated with the creators of Losing Patience for the music video of her 2018 single "Justice".[2]

Sevana halted touring plans in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.[7][8] In April 2020, the In.Digg.Nation Collective entered into a record deal with RCA Records and Six Course Media Group, through which music by In.Digg.Nation musicians Protoje, Lila Iké, and Sevana would be released.[6] In May, Sevana appeared with Freddie McGregor on Digicel Unplugged, an online performance series.[9]

In July 2020, Sevana released "If You Only Knew", the first single on her next EP, and an accompanying music video.[10] Later that month, Sevana released Be Somebody, her second EP and her major label debut,[3][11] alongside a music video for the single "Mango".[12] Music visualizers for the singles "Blessed" and "Set Me On Fire" were released in November 2020 and February 2021, respectively.[13][14] In January 2021, NPR aired Sevana's Tiny Desk Concert performance, which includes songs from Be Somebody.[14][15]

Artistry

In an interview with The Jamaica Star, Sevana stated her desire to "use her artistry to teach dark-skinned young girls and women to love the skin they're in."[16] Sevana cites Celine Dion as her biggest influence and Beres Hammond as a source of inspiration.[2]

Discography

Extended plays
  • Sevana (2016)
  • Be Somebody (2020)

Singles

References
  1. Goodall, Kimberly (February 20, 2017). "Sevana Siren: A vocal gem". The Gleaner. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  2. Taylor, Sharine (March 9, 2018). "Sevana Siren Wants You to Shut Up and Make the Planet Better in "Justice"". Vice. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  3. "Bringin' it Backwards: Interview with Sevana". American Songwriter. August 23, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  4. De Leon, Pauline (July 31, 2020). "Sevana Stays True to Her Jamaican Roots in New EP, 'Be Somebody'". Hypebae. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  5. Knight, Candiece (September 23, 2019). "Sevana: A fullness of self". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  6. Leight, Elias (April 13, 2020). "Protoje Announces Label Deal With RCA". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  7. Grizzle, Shereita (January 21, 2021). "It's OK to not be OK - Reggae singer Sevana says therapy helped her through 'tough' year". The Gleaner. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  8. Campbell, Joel (October 23, 2020). "Sevana: I found my voice and purpose through music". The Voice. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  9. "Freddie, Sevana for Digicel Unplugged". Jamaica Observer. May 9, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  10. Wang, Steffanee (July 8, 2020). "Sevana's "If You Only Knew" Is The Blissful First Single Off Her Upcoming EP (Premiere)". Nylon. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  11. Jackson, Kevin (August 12, 2020). "Dexta and Sevana make their début". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  12. "Sevana sweet on 'Mango' - Singer happy about hitting million views mark". The Gleaner. August 26, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  13. Campbell, Joel (November 30, 2020). "Sevana unveils her latest 'Blessed' visual". The Voice. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  14. Elder, Sajae (February 2, 2021). "Sevana shares the soul-baring "Set Me On Fire"". The Fader. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  15. O'Neill, Abby (January 26, 2021). "Sevana: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert". NPR. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  16. Grizzle, Shereita (August 28, 2020). "Sevana hopes to inspire dark-skinned girls". The Jamaica Star. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  17. Elder, Sajae (July 21, 2018). "Sevana drops the sultry summer jam, "Sometime Love"". The Fader. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  18. Small, Kimberley (July 19, 2019). "'Nobody Man' for Sevana - Artiste deejays 'wifey love' lyrics in new single". The Gleaner. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
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