Reggae empress Etana, The Strong One, is excited about the work she’s doing on her new album, the woman she’s become and her love affair with Jimmy Cliff’s The Harder They Come. She’s chilling at Chateaux Vino and sharing that infectious smile with our lens.

What are you sipping?

I’m not a heavy drinker, but when I do indulge it’s usually a single class of Merlot.

What do you love about Chateaux Vino?

It’s a nice vibe, private with a kind of homely feeling and you don’t have to yell at the bartender for him to hear you.

Socialite or homebody?

It could be a little bit of both; I’m a Gemini so it’s part of my nature.

Jimmy Cliff was just inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a young artiste; how does that make you feel?

It gives me hope, all the stories I read lately say reggae music is in the pits, so now I can look around and see Jimmy Cliff’s accomplishment…it’s definitely awe-inspiring.

Flats or stilettos?

Stilettos…always.

What’s your essential style item?

Definitely my heels or a proper dress that is below my knees.

What’s your style?

Definitely culturally classic.

Who does your hair?

I do it myself most of the time, but when I do decide to get it done professionally I go to Stacie from Stafay’s or Trudy at Jus’ Natural.

Who does your nails?

The same shops I mentioned or Jencare.

What’s in your handbag?

Lotion, my BlackBerry, my MAC compact, my purse, my make-up bag and blush brush.

What perfume are you spraying?

Juicy Couture.

TV or a good book?

A good book, sometimes TV shows can be so predictable.

What’s your idea of the perfect date?

Dinner at Smith and Wollensky on Miami Beach followed by a stroll and cuddling afterwards at the movies.

What’s your idea of the perfect man?

Someone who is not egotistic; a tall, dark and handsome man with proper oral hygiene. He must be educated with a profession. Someone who is sensitive, but not overly so. He must also be respectful of others and chivalrous.

What’s on your iPod?

From Pink to The Beatles, to Bob Marley and Stevie Wonder and all the Jimmy Cliff songs I perform… The Harder They Come is my default song, I perform it at my shows and the mood within the audience changes.

What projects are you currently working on?

The new album which I’m going to probably call The Evolution of Change.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

In the midst of the storm, be still.

And 10 years from now?

Just greatness and more positive vibes. Hopefully by then I’ll have my own children’s centre, a couple more albums and more female artistes on my label Freemind Music.