The Ivory Queen of Soul






LADY T
That was one of the many names that the late Teena Marie was called. Her mentor was the one and only Rick James. I can recall discovering who she was when I was only about 8 or 9 years old. Her song "Square Biz" came on the radio while I was in the car with my mother and I loved her voice and her sound I have been a fan ever since. Originally born as  Mary Christine Brockert March 5, 1956 she was Santa Monica, California native that grew up in the historically African-American enclave of Oakwood, a neighborhood  of Venice the westside of Los Angeles. Marie was raised on Motown Music and singing Harry Belafonte songs.

Teena Marie and Rick James

Signed to Motown Records in 1976 and her career began very slowly she auditioned in her a group with her closest friends but Berry Gordy loved her energy and wanted to sign her as a solo act. She was spotted by  Funk and soul recording artist Rick James and guitarist Paul C Saenz which became her mentors. Her first top ten hit "I'm Just a Sucker For Your Love" reached (#8 Black Singles Chart) which was a duet with Rick James. Another song the two recorded that changed their lives forever which 1981's classic "Fire and Desire."

 Before Christina Aguilera came along Teena Marie was and is by far the baddest white girl to serenade soul music. Former boss and Motown Founder Berry Gordy said that 70% of her audience. While Motown co-founder, artist, and songwriter Smokey Robinson said "She just has so much soul and there is a Black girl stuck in her body even though she is white." Clearly Teena Marie never saw color but in a recent documentary called Unsung she expressed gratitude towards her parents taste in music. She loved the sounds of Frank Sinatra, her father loved Ella Fitzgerald, and Tina's all time favorite singer was Sarah Vaughn.

What made her so special was her drive and passion she rocked that guitar, wrote each lyric, and poured her heart and soul to staying true to what she loves while being an amazing mother and grandmother.