Remembering Teena Marie: A few choice jams from the '80s funk singer-songwriter-producer [Updated]

CNN is reporting that Grammy-nominated  singer and Rick James protegée Teena Marie has died at age 54.

The multi-talented vocalist, who was born in Santa Monica, got her break at Motown Records in 1979, and went on to be one of the most prominent R&B  female vocalists of the 1980s, a white singer who, somewhat improbably, managed to cross over to black radio and retail through songs such as "Lovergirl," "It Must Be Magic," "I'm a Sucker for Your Love" and "Square Biz."

Pop & Hiss will update as we learn more.

[Updated 8:37 p.m. Twitter is alive with remembrances and 140-word-or-less kudos to Marie, who, though she'd been out of the spotlight for many years, continued to have a remarkably devoted fanbase.

Chicago rapper Common tweeted: "R.I.P. Lady T! Your rhyme in Square Biz is and will always be classic material!"

Singer Mary J. Blige, who has long cited Marie as an influence, has been writing heartfelt notes for the last half-hour: "Tina Mari inspired me vocally as a child. Her songs I sang in the mirror with a hair brush. I'm so hurt."

She continued: "I'll love u forever Tina Mari. Portuguese Love, Casanova Brown, Square Biz, I need your lovin, all of your music."

And DJ and Stones Throw records kingpin Peanut Butter Wolf gave her a shout-out, as well: "RIP Teena Marie. Can't believe it and don't wanna hear it," he wrote, followed by: "Remembering how good I felt when I heard @Spindeezy play Square Biz & Gigolette back to back."

Missy Elliott just posted: "My Prayers go out to Teena Marie family. Teena created music that is Timeless! Songs sung with soul and conviction a True LEGEND!"

Alicia Keys was nearly speechless: "Teena Marie??????Why???? how??? ;-("

Questlove, drummer of the Roots: "again the mark of a TRUE ARTIST is when their album cuts get more love than the hits. Marie's magic was defined by her album cuts."

More tributes as they arrive.

-- Randall Roberts

Comments

[Trina G.]

I grew up in NYC listening to this woman and NYC radio loved her like no other. What a gift she was and had, and she puts to shame everything out there today that claims to be R&B. People like the Rhiannas of the world, get a clue. You are nothing compared to Teena Marie.

[Gerri Moses]

Why is it you always loose the best in their prime. She was one of the greatest. Square biz was one of my very favorites. Normally I only listen to Country, but at times she would rise above, for my listening pleasure. The world has lost a great songstress/entertainer.

[drkn49]

Thank you so much! These two songs bring back so many good memories
rest in peace dear Lady T

[DC Fletcher]

Teena Marie? At age 54? The day after Christmas? This is such a tough pill to swallow. For those of you who are spending your music money on Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga, let me politely suggest that you listen to everything the late great Teena Marie ever recorded with that magnificent, soulful voice of hers and learn from a true diva. She didn't have gimmicks. She didn't have a voice which should only be heard in a studio. She had a big, brassy, brazen instrument which could also purr as softly and sweetly as a kitten. She will long be remembered and revered in the pantheon of great soul singers. And, as one of my absolute favorite singers, I now mourn her loss. I send my condolences to her daughter, Alia Rose, to her extended family, and to her many musical collaborators. I am grateful that she left such a tremendous legacy to American, and especially, to African American music. Go sing with the angels, dear Teena Marie. You have earned your sweet rest.

[Eric Stefik]

I had never heard of her, though I have heard many a Motown recording, but I sure have heard her now. Quite the voice!

[Lawrence M Calderon]

Teena Marie left a great legacy with her sound.To me she was the one who got all women a little crazy on the dance floor.Thank God, because of her music she will not be missed.Teena, may you rest in the Peace of Christ.

[Aleema]

Oh my!! How I loved the unique sound of Tina Marie!!! This news is extremely unreal! From the words of the late Marvin Gaye: "What's Going On?" May the peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon you, Tina. Thank You! For Gracing the World with your Beautiful, Talented Voice! You will be sorely missed, indeed!!!

[Rocq]

Teena Marie will always be a very rare and special talent from an era in time that knew music and how to deliver words and music with a definite style like no other. She will be greatly missed.

[Richard]

You'll always be one of my favorite female soul singers. Your passion, the warmth, and your beauty of song forever lives in your spirit and in my heart. Rest In Peace, Lady T.

[berlynn sparks]

rip miss lady t, there will neva be another like you.

[koko marshall]

I LOVE HER!!!!! I WILL MISS HER!!!! I GREW UP LISTENING TO HER MUSIC. MY WEDDING SONG ( A ROSE IS A ROSE). R I P, TINA & LAVERT. I KNOW THAT THEY, INCLUDING RICK (R I P) WILL NOW MAKE MUCH MORE MUSIC TOGETHER. I WILL NEVER EVER FORGET TINA, AN WILL ALWAYS LISTEN TO HER MUSIC. I AM SO UPSET THAT I NEVER GOT SEE HER LIVE. SHE USE TO PLAY HER GUITAR TO MY HUSBAND ON THE PORCH OF HER HOME WHEN HE WAS LIKE SEVEN YEARS OLD, BACK IN 1978,1979. TO HER DAUGHTER YOU ARE BLESS TO HAVE HAD A MOM OF SUCH STATURE, GOD BLESS YOU AN YOUR FAMILY. I LOOK AT TINA LIKE A GOD MOTHER TO ME, SHE HAS RAISED ME WITH HER LIRICS. I LOVE HER AN WILL MISS HER SO MUCH. WOULD LOVE TO MEET HER DAUGHTTER, WILL BE YOUR BIG SISTER IF YOU FEEL THE NEED FOR ONE. STAY STRONG, ONE DAY WE WILL ALL GET OUR WINGS AN BE TOGETHER. SINCERLY, KOKO

[South Pas]

I've met Teena Marie on a few occasions and I loved how warm and unaffected she was. Unlike many celebrities today her talent shined much brighter than her star and I loved her for it !!!!!! A true talent. She will be missed. Prayers go out to her daughter. They were very close. I often saw them together.

[koko marshall]

I KNOW I SPELLED HER NAME WRONG NO DISRESPECT, BUT I LOST MY AUNT IN 2001 AN HER NAME WAS TINA (R I P). TEENA MARIE YOU WILL BE MISSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE TRULY A LEGEND!!!!!!!!!!

[koko marshall]

LOVE YOU TEENA!

[driveon]

A marvelous voice. A marvelous talent. Taken from all of us much, much too soon. She once sang "Can It Be Love". It certainly can, and it was. Our love for her and her music. May she now rest in peace.

[GEENA TURREY]

Teena Marie is a legend she will be missed but never forgoten been with my husband going on 21 yrs been at i can say almost all her concerts and was fortunate to see her last one last year and her last one with rich james RIP LADY T From GILBERT&GEENA TURREY

[Chaka Trammel]

Teena Marie! That is a great lost! Just as significan't as MJ. Tupac says the good die young. An irreplaceable icon.There will never be another like her. Teena Marie is my favorite female singer. Gowing up in the 70's and 80's Teena Marie was the most potent R&B singer of that time to me. I had a chance to see her at San Manuel casino. It was a dream come true. Good thing I went to that concert. I know I will miss her deeply. To her manager please revise all of her albums, so that they may be available for the public to buy. Her music will be relevant for years. Fans go out and get Ladonia and Sapphire, these are true treasures. I love you Teena Marie. RIP Lady T. Your Number 1 fan forever. Chaka T (salaam)

[Shoop]

Loved Teena, but no disrespect, I'm sure she was much older than 54. Do the math. Great singer, however. She will be greatly missed.

[Micheal]

I remember the very first show she ever gave. It was a the Bit-N-Apple club in beverly hill in 1979, She will be sorely missed. I had the pleasure of meeting her a few times in my life and she was truly a woman of inspiration

[jadi]

Wow just shed a tear i saw wut now is her last show at the las vegas hilton last year...one love always ..she rockd the stage with the mary jane grls..had lots of fun..R.I.P

[Monica P]

I remember the first time I hard Lady T. all I could say is WOW who is that? I will miss her soulful voice R.I.P LADY T.

[Alabama Chick]

I can remember first hearing Teena Marie as a child and to this day, her soulful voice takes me back to the first time I heard her sing. This is by far the saddest news I've heard since Michael Jackson. I'll never forget you Teena. My heart goes out to your family and love ones. You will truly be missed.

[RR]

As a personal friend, I'd like her fans to know that Teena was a wonderful mother and friend. She was a kind a caring person. She will be missed.

[litlwoman]

Teena Marie, was truly a CLASSIC....there will be no other. RIP Teena! Just listening to your brings back memories from back in the day. The sound that you had you don't hear that today it is all together different. You could really feel and get into the depth of the song then. Yours songs will always be in my playlist.

[Robert]

I'll miss her, she was a great singer, I grew up listening to her music.