R&B soul singer, Teena Marie passed away Sunday at the age of 54. Marie was found dead in her home by her daughter and is said to have suffered a seizure last month but it is not known what triggered it.
On Christmas day, Marie tweeted on twitter stating to her fans: "May Gods Light always shine on you and your family! May you have the most joyous Holiday season ever! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!"
Facts about Teena:
Teena Marie was born Marie Christine Brockert. She rose to fame in the 70's and 80's when she signed with Motown and became funk legend Rick James' protegee.
James produced her 1979 debut album, Wild and Peaceful, which went gold and featured her first hit single, a duet with James called I'm a Sucker for Your Love.
Teena Marie's photo did not appear on this album, as Motown apparently thought black audiences might not buy it if they knew the songstress was white. But her second album carried her picture after fears of a rejection of a white singer proved unfounded.
She subsequently won a huge following in the black community, and was dubbed the "Ivory Queen of Soul" by black fans.
"Overall my race hasn't been a problem. I'm a black artist with white skin," she said in an interview with Essence.com last year. "At the end of the day you have to sing what's in your own soul."
In 1982, Teena Marie quarrelled with Motown over royalties and fought to be released from her contract. She sued the label, and the legal battle resulted in the landmark Brockert Initiative, named for her, which makes it illegal for record labels to keep artists under contract without releasing their music.
Teena Marie has garnered four Grammy nominations. She released 13 studio albums, six of which went platinum on the US R&B chart. She also had six albums to go gold.
I recently saw Teena Marie at the Cincinnati Music Festival in August. This was my second time seeing Teena Marie live. The first time was when I was very young, so I didn't it appreciate it as much, but this time I had a ball! I knew all the words to the songs and Teena made you feel like you were just chilling with her in her backyard just hanging out jamming. It was such a good experience. Since Michael Jackson passed, I sort of have myself on a mission to see all the old school greats I can before they pass away. I had been trying to see Teena and Charlie Wilson when they came to Chicago but I missed them twice. So when I heard about them being in Cincinnati I couldn't let the opportunity pass and I am so glad I didn't. When I heard of her passing I just thanked God that I was able to see her talent first hand.
Here's some Teena for you guys and God Bless.
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