Funk/Soul Singer Dies At 54
9:00PM ET December 26th, 2010
Contributor : Hip Hop Blog Staff
A Rocky Williform Company

Soul singer Teena Marie has passed away unexpectedly at the age of 54. Facts are still sketchy as to exactly what happened to the singer, who rose to fame first as the protege of funk legend Rick James before hitting her stride with hits like "I'm A Sucker For Your Love," "Square Biz" and "Lovergirl."

Teena, born Mary Christine Brockert, was signed to Motown in 1976 and came under the tutelage of James, and released her debut album Wild and Peaceful. She also infamously sang the duet "Fire and Desire" with her mentor on his 1980 album Street Songs. Motown infamously kept her photo off of her debut album, for fear that black audiences wouldn't support a white R&B singer. Her 1980 album, Lady T was the first to have her image on the cover.

In her latter career, Teena Marie signed with Cash Money Records and released her comeback album La Dona in 2004.