Teena Marie is by far the queen of blue-eyed soul.
A protégé of the late
Rick James, with whom she recorded the classic R&B duet 'Fire and Desire,' Marie never imagined she would have a career that would span more than three decades.
"We were experimenting. We were kids having fun, and we were doing music well beyond our years. Really, it was just wonderful. I was 19 and everyone around me was 18, 19 and 20. I had no idea it would last this long and it was absolutely a blessing," she told Black Voices.
Funny enough, now the Santa Monica, Calif.-bred vocalist's daughter
Alia Rose is 18-years-old and pursuing musical aspirations of her own.
"She's got
the bug," Marie confessed. "She's been performing with me. But she's in the studio doing her own music."
The 'Square Biz' singer said she's not nervous about her daughter singing professionally because she's prepared her for the cutthroat nature of the industry.
"She's been around me all her life, so she knows the parameters and kind of knows how it's supposed to go. I've kept her protected and she's very smart," she expressed.
The 54-year-old singer, who's affectionately known as Lady T, has collaborated with some great singers over the years. When asked if there is anyone else she would love to duet with, Marie admits that question regularly stumps her.
"I get asked that all the time and its really, really hard for me to answer because I've sang with
Ella Fitzgerald and
Sarah Vaughan and
Rick James and
Lenny Kravitz and
Gerald Levert and
Faith Evans and I've been on stage with
Aretha Franklin, you know what I'm saying. So when you've shared company with those amazing icons it's kind of hard for me. I don't' really go past Sarah Vaughan because for me, that was the ultimate," she explained.
Since R&B has been her genre of choice, Marie has become a superstar in African American circles but has rarely receives any recognition in other communities.
'The View' co-host
Sherri Shepherd attempted to change that when she invited Marie to perform on the popular ABC talk show. The songstress sang a medley of her greatest hits.
"They were so nice and it was so fun," she said of the co-hosts.
"Sherri is really a good friend," she continued. "She had been wanting to put me on the show for like two years. Then all of my Twitter friends started hitting her up, driving her crazy and because she wanted to put me on there anyway. She made it happen and it was awesome!"
Marie said she rarely thinks about race, but she is happy that black fans have continued to embrace her with open arms.
"When I first got into the music business, my picture wasn't on the cover.
Mr. [Berry] Gordy wanted p
eople to hear the music first without judging it by the cover. He was like, 'Let's put the music out first to see if people like it. It's that black-sounding, I want to see if people like it.' And they did like it! I always just wanted to bring people together with music and I think I did that. Some of the greatest opera singers ever are black woman. Are they not supposed to sing opera because they're black? No! You are supposed to sing whatever is in your soul," she closed.
Marie's latest opus, 'Congo Square,' was released on Stax Records and is in stories now.
*****
For related stories, read: '
Teena Marie: Keeping Rick James' Legacy Alive'
& '
Back for More: Shirley Murdock Readying R&B Return.'
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The White Stuff
It's Black Music Month, and we wanted to do something a little off the cuff – outside of the usual celebratory revelry that has become commonplace among black media. We invite you to get informed, get entertained and get engaged by some white singers who are beloved by the black community.
Various
AP
Top 30 Sexiest Rappers of All Time
Hip-Hop music has churned out some of the sexiest entertainers in the music business, but being hot is more than just skin deep. Sometimes sexiness is in the delivery of a rap line or a sensational sense of style. Here, Blackvoices.com takes a look at some of the sexiest hip-hop stars of all time.
Top 30 Sexiest Rappers of All Time
Foxy Brown
When Foxy Brown (real name Inga Marchand) came on the scene in the mid-'90s with her long jet-black hair and curvaceous body, the Brooklyn rapper made the fellas swoon before even launching into one of her signature rhymes. Her sassy, sexy attitude also came across on songs like 'Ain't No Ni**a' with Jay-Z and 'Get Me Home' with Blackstreet.
Top 30 Sexiest Rappers of All Time
Nelly
He's the best thing to come out of St. Louis. The former Sean Jean spokesperson, who was until recently romantically involved to R&B singer Ashanti, has the body of a professional athlete. Nelly is known for switching up his clothing style and isn't afraid to wear a suit one day and a pair of Air Force Ones the next.
Top 30 Sexiest Rappers of All Time
Lil' Kim
The self-proclaimed "Queen Bitch" not only talked about sex -- explicitly -- on her platinum-plated 1996 debut, 'Hardcore,' but she also proved to be the real deal off wax, too. A protégé of slain rap kingpin The Notorious B.I.G., Kimberly Denise Jones didn't shy away from baring her beautiful body (pre-surgery) in provocative shoots for mainstream magazines, album covers and music videos.
Top 30 Sexiest Rappers of All Time
YoYo
She might have been affiliated with Ice Cube and the West Coast gangsta rap movement, but with YoYo's light-brown eyes and caramel complexion, there's no second-guessing that she's a lady. The Cali native was known for songs about female empowerment and making a case against sexism, but her beauty cast her in a league of her own among so many of her female rap counterparts of the '90s.
Top 30 Sexiest Rappers of All Time
Nicki Minaj
In an age when there are few sexy female rappers, Nicki Minaj definitely stands out. The self-proclaimed Barbie entertains the masses with her animated deliverys and dollish figure, complete with a small waist and always-on-display cleavage. The Queens native and Lil' Wayne protégé also isn't shy about autographing the boobs of her adoring fans.
Top 30 Sexiest Rappers of All Time
Will Smith
When Will Smith arrived on the music scene with songs like 'Parents Just Don't Understand' and 'Summertime,' he was an awkward, skinny Philly teen. But the Grammy Award-winning rapper successfully transitioned into one of the most successful black Hollywood stars with roles in action flicks such as 'Independence Day' and 'Bad Boys.' Now, he's one of the hunkiest rapper-turned-actors around.
Top 30 Sexiest Rappers of All Time
Rakim
Hands down, Rakim is every rapper's favorite rapper. He's influenced the spectrum of hip-hop no matter the geographic region, but the Microphone Fiend, who hails from New York, is also easy on the eyes with his flawless skin and laid-back style.
Top 30 Sexiest Rappers of All Time
Andre 3000
Like Prince, Jimi Hendrix and Bootsy Collins, Outkast rapper Andre 3000's fashion style is anything but safe. At the height of his career, he was rocking loud colors, kilts and Afro wigs, but even then he managed to pull R&B sensation Erykah Badu as his girlfriend and the two had a son, Seven. The 'Hey Ya' rapper opened up his heart on the breakthrough album 'The Love Below' and he continues to tug the heart strings of hip-hop lovers and beyond.
Top 30 Sexiest Rappers of All Time
50 Cent
There's no better way to get the top spot than by coming for the crown of the hottest rapper. That's exactly what 50 Cent did, letting it be known that he was no fan of Ja Rule and at the same time showing off why he is one hunk of a man. The G-Unit general has evolved into a mogul, most notably with his early Vitamin Water acquisition, and still isn't afraid to show off the goods.
Top 30 Sexiest Rappers of All Time
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Comments: (41)
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By: ADMR on 6/28/2010 8:43AM
Kept Well PROTECTED & Very Smart - AMEN(-:
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By: Fashionedbygod33 on 6/28/2010 12:05PM
Love Lady T. One of the baddest female artists/musicians ever. I love the picture with her with the boxing robe one. She's the champ.
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By: AToast2Wealth on 12/29/2010 3:40PM
Oh I will miss her so much it hurts! I just read that they have the final autopsy results for anyone that wants to know at:http://www.atoast2wealth.com/2010/12/28/soul-lady-teena-maries-autopsy-to-be-completed-this-week/
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By: Zee on 6/28/2010 3:08PM
I have to admit that back in the day...in my 30's, I was skeptical and a little scared that Lady T would not be able to step up to the plate, so to speak, but with Rick James as her ( whatever he was to her) and that powerful voice, I fell in love with her style and her gumption.
She is indeed a queen and as a black female ( now in my sixties) that is going some.
We have other queens and they are royalty in their own right. Aretha, Latifah, Patti, Gladys, to name a few, but there is room for others, new like Alicia and Beyonce and seasoned like the ones I just mentioned.
I just calls 'em like I see 'em!
Rock on!
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By: Derrick Mathis on 6/29/2010 1:55AM
Skeptical of Teena Marie??? Well, I'll put it to you like this. I didn't see her before I heard her. And when I saw her I couldn't believe her.
Teena Marie belongs right up there with the great soul divas of our age. And I am stunned and horrified that the writer and editor of this post both weren't fired on the spot for describing Lady T as blue-eyed soul.
That right there let me know these folks don't know nuthin about blue-eyed soul or SOUL/R&B. Because if they did the last thing they'd be calling Teena Marie would be blue-eyed soul.
Teena Marie is an originator. Not an imitator.
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By: ALL CAPS on 7/03/2010 11:16AM
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INCLINED TO RESPECT MY ELDERS. TO TAKE THEIR OPINIONS, ADVICE AND WISDOM TO HEART. BUT PLEASE DON'T INSULT TEENA MARIE BY EVER PUTTING HER IN THE SAME CATERGORY AS BEYONCE'.BEYONCE IS GOOD AT WHAT SHE DOES,PROMOTING HERSELF AND MAKING A BOAT LOAD OF CASH ..AND TO THAT I SAY KUDOS!!BUT ANYONE WITH EARS KNOWS SHE COULDN'T HOLD A CANDLE TO TEENA AT ANY POINT IN HER LIFE OR CAREER....
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By: No1'sname on 7/03/2010 8:44PM
Right up there with the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin smmfh you must have fell & bumped your head. Do you know how long Aretha Franklin has been in the music business now you want to put Teena Maria beside her well the only person Teena can stand beside is Queen Elizabeth. Soul orginates from Black people, we are born with soul, we walk with soul, we dance with soul now you want to give soul to another race wtf!
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By: Robert Randle on 9/05/2010 12:26AM
Teena Marie or "Miss T" as she is affectionately referred to, is off the chain and is one of the best singers around, period; Black or White. She is as good now as she was over thirty years ago, especially when she sings 'LIVE.' Of course, there are some other very good soulful singers still around such as Lisa Stansfield and Taylor Dane.
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By: old school black dad on 6/28/2010 5:34PM
Tenna Marie was Bad back in the day baby!!!
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By: Mimi on 7/03/2010 1:20PM
APPARENTLY YOU HAVE NOT SEEN TEENA RECENTLY. YOU SAID SHE WAS BAD BACK IN THE DAY....TEENA IS JUST AS BADDDDDDDDD AS EVER TODAY.
I CHECKED HER OUT RECENTLY IN CONCERT AND SHE TORE THE HOUSE DOWN. TEENA WAS SINGING NOT ONLY HER SONGS, BUT RICK'S SONGS TOO. TEENA HAS A BAD ASS BAND AND HER BACK UP SINGERS DID THEIR THING.
I LOVED TEENA'S VOICE FROM HER FIRST ALBUM WILD AND PEACEFUL. I REMEMBER THOSE CONCERTS WITH RICK AND TEENA. TEENA IS STILL ONE OF THE BEST IN MY BOOK.
AS SOMEONE HAS ALREADY SAID DON'T INSULT TEENA OR HER FANS BY COMPARING HER TO BEYONCE. THERE IS NO COMPARISON WHATSOEVER WHEN IT COMES TO PURE VOCAL TALENT. TEENA HAS IT...BEYONCE AND ALL THOSE OTHERS DON'T.
I HAVE SEEN BEYONCE IN CONCERT THREE TIMES...SHE PUTS ON A GOOD SHOW AS FAR AS ENTERTAINMENT WITH DANCING AND THE REST OF THAT STUFF. BEYONCE CAN'T SING...PLAIN AND SIMPLE SHE DOES NOT HAVE THE VOICE.
TEENA...NEVER HAD TO TAKE OFF HER CLOTHES BECAUSE SHE CAN SING HER ASS OFF.
TEENA IS CURRENTLY TOURING FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT GOOD SINGING IS NEED TO CHECK HER OUT.
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