R&B singer-songwriter Teena Marie, best known for her songs “Lovergirl” and “Portuguese Love,” has died, her manager tells CNN. She was 54.
Marie (real name Mary Christine Brockert) signed to Motown Records in January 1976 and was famously mentored by Rick James. The four-time Grammy nominee released 13 albums during her career, the most recent being 2009′s Congo Square.
No cause of death has been released.
In a 2004 tribute to the funk legend that ran in EW, Marie wrote about her first encounter with James: “He stood in the doorway for a long while, listening to me sing. At that moment, Rick and I became best friends and musical soulmates.”
More from EW.com: Five essential Teena Marie songs
This was a shock to me. R.I.P. Teena. I know you up there singing.
Cop: Teena Marie, R&B singer just died.
Caruso: I guess Teena has stopped singing the ‘blues’…
*puts on glasses*
…and started singing the black.
YYYYEEEEAAAAHHHHH!!!!
Some people are just straight up ignorant and will always be your parent should have taught you to respect others especially the dead (freaking idiot). This woman will always be a respected legend.
YOU ARE SO IGNORANT…A SINGER IS A SINGER REGARDLESS OF THEIR SKIN COLOR..THE GIRL WAS TALENTED AND SHE WAS WELL RECEIVED BY MANY…TEENA WE LOVE YOU AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE..
May God have mercy on your soul when you are called by the dead…
The worst part is that your comment doesn’t even make sense.
You sound so ignorant! Some people should just not speak.
MAY GOD KEEP YOUR SOUL TINA. YOU ARE UP THERE WITH THE BEST SING ON GIRL. SEE YOU AT THE CROSS ROAD TELL MY BERNIE MAC I SAID WHATS UP. YOU WILL TRULY BE MISSED.
Re: the video of her singing on Solid Gold — Man, she’s not even trying to pretend she’s not lip syncing! Way ahead of her time.
I have always respected you as an actor. I knew you were arrogant & self centered on TV, but did not know you were racist. You just lost a viewer. May God have mercy on your SOUL
You’re stupid as hell.
I am goign to tell your mother on you.
david caruso may you die next
She will be greatly missed luved her music she was very talented unlike sum uhhh wuts his name caruzooooo where he need to be in uh ZOO! who & what he do again?lmao
THERE IS ONLY ONE WORD FOR YOU DAVID CARUSO…….STUPID!!!!!
you are the reason why scott tissue made double ply your dad should have used it………RIP TINA
i think the majority knows Ms Teena was classic. She was a true talent. I grew up with her music, and still listen to it this day. For the idiot with the bad joke, get a life. My heart goes out to her family. May you rest in peace Lady T
wow that was ignorant to say @david she just died 2DAYS AGO AND UR MAKING FUN OF HER DEATH THATS MESSED UP LEAST HAVE SOME TYPE OF RESPECT FOR THE DEAD
Your statement was a very bad racist joke. It is people like you that keep Racism alive and well.I think this comment should be shared on facebook and Essence Magazine….You would lose alot of Fans like Mel Gibson.
This was such a shock to me,I loved Tina Marie and she was an inspiration to the music world, and so what if was white she was a great artist and I will miss her.
First let me say RIP, Tina Marie, and my prayers go out to your family. David Caruso, you really shouldn’t be making ingnant comments about the dead it’s nothing funny, this Women is an ICON, and she has family and children that are hurting for their loss and you with no talent what’s so ever have the nerve to risk your already “has been career” I mean you were in a couple of good flicks but you as an actor, you should look for a day job, notice you haven’t been in anything
you idiot you probably would’nt be born if your mother did’nt listen to lady tee her music made ppl (black and white) fall in love
Mr.Caruso I’m a big fan of yours.Your cruel commit has really disappointed me.Ms.Marie was a great singer.Her strenght,was inspiring.She will be missed.
I am a Black/Latin American, and if I ever find you who dare talk about Tina Marie!!! I will personally send the Latin kINGS YOUR WAY BABY!!!!!
Don’t “F” wit Tina, that woman was born wit white skin, but holds the blakness of my Latin Heart!!!!
Tina Marie had a gift that she use to love and inspire the Black/Latin community!!!
I will miss you Tina!!!!
Big ZO!!!
Shocked!!!
You know all of you that are sitting up here and talking like you have no remorse that a great woman/singer has passed away are being looked down on by her and god. Anyone that is on here making crazy remarks shouls be ashamed of yourselves, what if she was related to you would you say as many bad things about her then. I really hope and prey for you all that are being really rude and inconsiderate. This woman made a hughe , huge impact in black music hell she is considered black to many of our talented producers and artist today. Now my word to you Miss Tina is that you wre one of the best and will continue to be the best next to Michale Jackson, and many more. May you rest in peace reguardless of what ignorant people are saying about you. I love you and so does many others. I will miss you greatly. Have fun in heaven and say hello to my father for me.
God beless your family as well.
The song is “LOVERGIRL”, not ‘LOVEGIRL’.
you are also stupid. lovergirl or lovegirl we all know what person meant. Stop being judgemental. Crazy girl or Krazy girl Ha-Ha-Ha
This is terrible! My condolences to her family!
A voice like Tina’s no one can forget, may our Lord Jesus Chirst keep the family in perfect peace
Teena shared some of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard in my life!.. If you haven’t heard her music, just take time and listen to the lyrics. “wild and peaceful” lp. was her first album.. check it out. Lady T’a true Legend. (Opus III)
You will be missed Lady T!!!
I will miss you Tina your music touched my soul my favorite song by you was I been here before.I know you singing your heart out up there in the sky
Terrible news and BBWMarriage was amazing
RIP Lady Tee. Her songs were part of the soundtrack of my youth. R&B has lost another legend.
I enjoyed Teena but I am not sure what made her a “legend” except for some over eager folks calling her that.
UMMM HER BODY OF WORK MAKS HER A LEGEND! CHECK IT OUT! MODERN DAY ARTISTS COULD ONLY WISH TO HAVE THE CATALOG OF MUSIC SHE HAD.
Really. I know plenty that do and actually sold a lot more records. She was very good. To me she is far from legendary. See I said that without one curse word, spelling mistake and didn’t scream either.
Everyone has their own ideas on who serves as a their musical legends. Teena happened to be one of mine. I’m sorry that my word choice offended you. She may not have sold tons of records or was huge crossover success but that doesn’t make Teena any less important. She has a rich catalogue of music and to her many fans a legend was lost.
Wow, clearly YOU must have been the one back stage asking Rick James who he was right!!!??? HA HA HA….. Please get some artist knowledge about yourself, there are classes now a days to take on this ya know……Sad R.I.P. Teena true legend.
I agree with Just Sayin. I grew up hearing her music and she is far from a legend. To me, her singing always seemed to be off key and she could not hold a note without warbling. I saw her at Essence last year. Her singing made me feel as if my ears were bleeding! I don’t get all the praise she has received and probably never will. I agree that her death is tragic and sad but I do not agree that she is a legend or “icon” (another inappropriately overused word). She had little, if any, talent.
“The Ivory Queen Sleeps”! Rest In Peace Teena Marie,You will be greatly missed.I am glad I have your music to remenber you by.May God Bless Your Family And Walk With During Their Time Of Sorrow…
God is able to do all things but fail,Tina Maries music will always stay st the top of my list along with Gerald Levert.She was the best back in the day and is the best now.She is smiling down at us at this very moment.May God continue to strengthen her family. Remember the joy she put into her families lives as well as her fans.She will be missed but never forgotten.
She was talented. May God recieve her in heaven her music will live on.
I am a big Teena Marie fan and this I just can`t believe I just can`t believe. I so sad about this. She was THE GREATEST. my god could this woman sing write and play instruments. She was one of a kind. She made her mark on music and for that I am grateful. RIP Teena….Now you and Rick are back together again
Death is sad. Teena Marie and Rick are in the grave waiting for the resurrection at the Second Coming of Christ. If her life was hid in Christ, if she knew Jesus as Savior and Lord she will be saved. Let us all live as if today is our last day.
shut the hell up.
None of you know me. I haven’t been around for centuries. Please stop throwing me into all your posts. Thanks.
LOL @ JESUS.
Mrs.Ross,May I say Amen!
Seriously? Teena is not in the grave! They will be waiting a lonnnnng time.
God is able to do all things but fail,Tina Maries music will always stay at the top of my list along with Gerald Levert. She was the best back in the day and is the best now.She is smiling down at us at this very moment.May God continue to strengthen her family. Remember the joy she put into her families lives as well as her fans.She will be missed but never forgotten.
Wow. Didn’t see this coming. How very sad at the holidays. She was a great talent. RIP.
This is very sad. I really enjoyed her music growing up. She had a great and unique voice. But at least her family still qualify for no estate tax.
lololol
Wow,how unexpected. My God give strength to her family. RIP
Teena by far was one of my favorite female vocalists of all times… I was shocked and saddened when I heard the news. She will be truely missed and may God bless and be with her..
many memories were made by the soul touching sound of her lyrics,you will never be forgotten
Teena Marie’s music helped me grow up. I’ve always preferred female artists & Teena was my fave. Her soul-stirring octaves soothed my hurts, strenghened my character & allowed me to bellow out her songs crying my eyes out. I never got her thing with Rick J., but she was definitely Lady T without needing “the Prophet’s” influence.
Her 1st. album had no images of Teena and when my fellow black college activists discovered Miss Teena was white, nobody cared. This motown mistake I suppose was based on the racial climate of the 70′s. Teena Marie’s music spoke to me as a burgeoning female adult and allowed me the emotional releases I needed for personal catharsis. I’m sad I won’t hear her voice anymore in this life…
My heart aches for a daughter who had to discover her mother had passed on Christmas. My prayers are with you…
Teena Marie’s album, “Wild and Peaceful” is a testament to her beautiful voice. She never earned the recognition she deserved. God bless her family.
agreed
she will be missed by all one of the greats a lady with a lot of soul we love you LADY T
You are so right! Teena was one of many underrated R&B female vocalist of a generation past. The girls today don’t hold a candle to her talent. RIP Lady Tee!!
RIGHT BEFORE HER DEATH, LADY T COULD STILL SING THESE KIDS OUT OF THE WATER! IM LOOKING AT YOU BEYONCE, ALICIA, BRANDY, ETC ETC.
So what you are really screaming is that this white girl could sing better than these black women. My question: Do you talk sht or take a sht at work?
And yet people continue to call her a legend. How does that work?
THE GIRL WAS BAD IN CONCERT AND SHE MADE YOU WANT TO GET OUT OF YOUR SEAT…YOU HAD TO ATTEND A CONCERT TO KNOW THIS…SHE IS A TRUE LEGEND..GO TO U TUBE AND CHECK HER OUT…
OK LISA!!!!!!!!!!!!
She was bad in concert and made you want to get out of your seat? I sure hope the EXIT signs were clearly marked.
people are calling her a legend because she is. her past and talent make her a legend
Damn. Teena could sing her ass off. You just can’t say that about female artists today. She had talent pouring from her fingertips like water in a storm. She was on fire. I’ll miss her. I wish younger artists today emulated singers like her. Shame she’s gone. Relatively young. Glad we have her music.
I couldn`t agree with you more. These girls singers out today are ridiculous. Teena Teena Teena you were awesome! I`m just in shock. I`ll be listening to her music all day tomorrow. Extremely sad. Please pray for her daughter and the rest of her family.
I agree. If the kids today were to hear Lady T, they would be amazed that they had never heard of her before. They just don’t make them like her any more.
I also agree. One of our finest singers, sang from her heart and soul. No one out there comes close to her talent.
RIP
I can say that about Kelly Clarkson. And even though I hate the melisma I can say it about Xtina. And the list goes on. It’s great to appreciate Teena but you don’t need to dawg the others.
I don’t think Sue is “dawging” as you say the other singers. As a matter of fact check yourself right now for even thinking to compare. Respect your elders. Guess you need a reality check…
@ reality check I think they were referring to the Beibers and Katy Perrys, not the talented ones like Kelly and Xtina. The fact is that the cookie-cutter pop acts get so much attention, and although both Kelly and Xtina are successful, they are still in some ways underrated and don’t get the praise they deserve… much like Lady T.
Damn. She was an amazing talent.
Teena Marie was a musical genius. Her voice was so powerful and unique. I hope young people can know and appreciate her music and spirit.
This is very sad news. She was so young. So many artists today could learn a lot from Ms. Marie – her song writing, musicianship, vocals, business savvy. She may not have always been in the Top 40, but she made some great music, and some killer grooves. R.I.P.