It has been confirmed by her manager that Teena Marie has passed away at her home in California. Apparently, her body was discovered by her daughter and reports state that Marie suffered a severe seizure about a month ago. The true cause of death will not be determined for some time as her body is now at the coroner's office.

Marie's accomplishments in R&B need not be trivialized. Considering how difficult it can be for a black recording artist to record pop music respectfully, I argue it is equally as difficult for a white recording artist to do R&B music. Fellow soul singer Eddie Levert commented today that "she was one of the blackest people I know".

From Wikipedia:

Teena Marie (March 5, 1956 - December 26, 2010) was an American Grammy Award-nominated singer–songwriter–producer. Marie, nicknamed Lady Tee, (sometimes spelled Lady T), was a protégée of late funk legend Rick James, and was notable as one of the few successful white performers of R&B. She played rhythm guitar, keyboards and congas. She also wrote, produced, sang and arranged virtually all of her songs since her 1980 release Irons in the Fire. She said it was her favorite album. She had a daughter, Alia Rose, who, as of 2009, sang under the name Rose Le Beau. Marie died on Sunday, December 26, 2010, at home, as announced by her manager, Mike Gardner.[4] She was 54.

R.I.P. Lady Tee!

- uhkeem