Sevana

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

Life and career

1991–2014: Early life

Sevana was born Anna-Sharé Blake in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, Jamaica, in 1991. When she was young, she was originally interested in becoming a doctor. In 2008, at 16 years old, Sevana entered the local music competition '' Digicel Rising Stars'' with two friends from her school and formed the girl group SLR. Their group advanced into the top ten of the competition and ultimately placed in third. SLR broke up the next year in 2009, and Sevana went on a hiatus from music. During her hiatus, Sevana worked several jobs as a customer service agent, social media coordinator, and waitress after graduating from Manning's School.

2014–2020: In.Digg.Nation Collective and ''Sevana''

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

2020–2021: ''Be Somebody''

Sevana halted touring plans in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, 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. In May, Sevana appeared with Freddie McGregor on ''Digicel Unplugged'', an online performance series.

In July 2020, Sevana released "If You Only Knew", the first single on ''Be Somebody'', her second EP and her major label debut. Later that month, Sevana released ''Be Somebody'', with a ''DancehallMag'' reviewer praising her "sultry vocals and strong musical range." In 2021, NPR aired Sevana's Tiny Desk Concert performance, which included songs from ''Be Somebody''.

Sevana performed to a virtual audience at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in March 2021. Following a road accident in May, Sevana was charged with causing death by dangerous driving a month later. A trial is set for October 2022. In March 2022, Sevana announced her departure from Protoje's In.Digg.Nation Collective.

Artistry

Media outlets have described Sevana's music as reggae, soul, and R&B. In a 2020 interview, Sevana described her musical sound as "every sound but with a Jamaican filter. Like if a modern Anita Baker was Jamaican and was creating music for Jamaica."

Speaking with ''The Jamaica Star'' in 2020, Sevana stated her desire to "use her artistry to teach dark-skinned young girls and women to love the skin they're in." She cites Celine Dion as her biggest influence and Beres Hammond as a source of inspiration.

Discography

Extended plays

* ''Sevana'' (2016)
* ''Be Somebody'' (2020)

Singles

* "Sudden Flight" by Protoje (featuring Jesse Royal and Sevana) (2014)
* "Justice" (2018)
* "Sometime Love" (2018)
* "Nobody Man" (2019)
* "If You Only Knew" (2020)
* "Brand New" (2022)

References

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sevana
1991 births
Living people
Soul singers
Jamaican reggae musicians
21st-century Jamaican women singers
Jamaican female models
Jamaican television actresses
21st-century Jamaican actresses
People from Westmoreland Parish