This one hurts. Legendary R&B songstress Teena Marie was found dead in her sleep by relatives Sunday morning at her Pasadena, Ca home at the age of 54. The singer most likely succumbed to natural causes according to Pasadena Police Department however the L.A. County Coroner’s Office will perform an autopsy.
Once dubbed the “Queen of Blue Eyed Soul”, Teena Marie’s voice made her more like a member of R&B’s immediate royal family so it came as no surprise the moniker was changed to the more appropriate “Ivory Queen Of Soul” since she didn’t sing like her white counterparts and better than most of her Black ones. As a little boy, my aunt and baby sitter’s daughter whom both had a huge musical influence on me would blast Teena’s Irons In The Fire, It Must Be Magic & Robbery albums like there was no tomorrow. I swear I knew the words to “I Need Your Lovin“, “Casanova Brown“, “Out On A Limb“ & “Square Biz“ (which she even rapped on) before I knew how to speak. Though she was thee voice for young teenage girls it wasn’t until her very adult “Fire & Desire“ duet with mentor, musical collaborator and longtime partner the late great Rick James, that grown folk took notice and eventually Hip hop. From being sampled by the likes of The Firm on the aforementioned “Square Biz” for their “Firm Biz“ to The Fugees jacking her “Ooh La La La“ on their “Fu-Gee_La“ to even signing with Cash Money resulting in the beautiful “Still In Love“, Teena kept evolving but remained true to her roots. That’s the thing about great artists, they will re-invent themselves but their music remains timeless. Rest in peace Lady T. – ICE
