Legendary R&B singer-songwriter Teena Marieâs velvet vocals have been responsible for giving us classics like âFire and Desireâ, âSquare Bizâ, and âPortuguese Loveâ. In an unexpected turn of events, manager, Mike Gardner, has just confirmed Marieâs death to CNN. Marie was found by her daughter in their California home on Sunday. As of now, no cause of death has been released to the public. Aptly nicknamed the âIvory Queen of Soulâ, this diva was Motownâs first white act. While she was not the first woman of her race to sing soul music, she is easily considered the most vocally talented and respected amongst all audiences. Marie was signed to Motown in 1979, where she began her musically talented but widely criticized relationship with fellow artist, Rick James. When news of Marieâs death hit the headlines, her peers flooded Twitter to give their condolences and express the impact she had on their lives. Mary J. Blige says, âTeena Marie inspired me vocally as a childâ. She went on to say she would sing Marieâs songs in the mirror with her hair brush. Tyrese remembers her as âone of the greatest to ever do it.â âThank you for your hugs, your words of encouragement, your music and thank you for being you. You gave us so much. You opened so many doors,â was singer Ledisiâs heartfelt response to the breaking news. âRemembering how sweet of a person she was the first time meeting,â says Deborah Cox, while Teedra Moses declares âher attitude on records raised me as a women.â Tamia called her âa super talented and humble woman,â stating âshe was always so kind,â while Tweet thanked her for âthe voice and the classical music. Motown maven Teena Marie leaves behind her impressive legacy through song. This revolutionary artist has resided on the forefront of soul music for decades. This is a sad day for the R&B culture as we say goodbye to this legendary songstress.
Remember the ‘Ivory Queen of Soul’ Teena Marie? She was a major force in the music industry from 1979 until her untimely death in 2010. Many artists today, including Mary J. Blige, Tyrese, and Tamia pay homage to her pioneering spirit as an iconic female singer-songwriter who influenced generations of musical acts. But what made Teena Marie special? Let’s take a look at this amazing artist’s legacy!
Teena Marie was one of the few successful African American female singers in popular music during the 1970s and 1980s. Her unique blend of funk, soul, R&B, pop, rock and jazz created an unparalleled sound that won over fans around the world. It didn’t hurt that she had a powerful voice and could play multiple instruments too!
Throughout her career, she released fourteen albums with hit singles like “Lovergirl,” “Square Biz,” and “Portuguese Love.” While many contemporaries were making waves on the radio airwaves or MTV, Teena Marie earned critical acclaim for her widely acclaimed songs which showcased her songwriting skills. The Grammy Award-nominated star even collaborated with Rick James on three classic albums – Fire & Desire (1981), Starchild (1984)and Emerald City (1986).
Life And Career Of Teena Marie
The late Teena Marie, often referred to as the ‘Ivory Queen of Soul’, had a long and successful career in music. She made her debut in 1979 with her album ‘Wild and Peaceful’, which featured the hit single “I’m a Sucker for Your Love”. Over the course of her career she released 11 studio albums and numerous other singles that were widely praised by fans and critics alike.
Teena Marie’s style was unique, combining elements of funk, soul, jazz, R&B, pop and hip hop into an eclectic blend all her own. Her songs tackled deep issues such as love lost and found and injustice in society while still being fun to dance to. In 2004 she became one of only two female artists inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
Her lasting legacy will be remembered fondly by many; Mary J Blige, Tyrese Gibson, Tamia Hill and more have paid tribute to the iconic singer since her passing in 2010. They celebrate not just her vocal prowess but also that rare combination of talent and tenacity which saw her rise from obscurity to become one of music’s leading lights.
Tributes From Fellow Musicians
Tributes to Teena Marie have come from fellow musicians around the world. Mary J Blige, whose career was heavily influenced by Teena’s music, paid a heartfelt tribute in an Instagram post: “Thank you for being a powerful example of what it means to be a strong woman…you will live forever through your words and music.” Tyrese Gibson recalled her influence on him personally, saying that she “paved the way for so many of us”. Tamia Hill also shared fond memories of attending one of Teena’s concerts as a teen and feeling inspired by her presence.
The impact of Teena Marie is evident in the success of today’s female artists; Beyonce credited her with opening doors for women in R&B and hip hop, while Cardi B has thanked her for inspiring later generations. The outpouring of admiration shows just how much she meant not only to those who knew her but to anyone who ever heard her voice or was touched by her artistry.
It is clear that Teena Marie made a lasting impression on countless people throughout the course of her career—an impressive feat which will ensure she remains remembered long after her passing.
Conclusion
I was saddened to hear of the death of Teena Marie, a talented singer and songwriter who went by the nickname ‘Ivory Queen of Soul’. She inspired many with her music and will be remembered for years to come.
Mary J. Blige, Tyrese, Tamia, and other musicians have paid tribute to Teena Marie following her passing. They praised her incredible talent and influence on their own careers. It is clear that she touched countless people throughout her life as an artist and performer.
Teena Marie will certainly be missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing or being inspired by her work. Her impact on the music industry cannot be overstated — she left behind an enduring legacy that will never be forgotten.
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