Teena Marie reportedly died in her sleep The Grammy-nominated American soul singer Teena Marie has been found dead at her California home at the age of 54, her manager has said.
Teena Marie often worked with funk legend Rick James with hits such as Lovergirl and Fire and Desire.
Teena Marie, who was born Mary Christine Brockert and also used the moniker Lady T, was a rare white artist on the Motown label when she signed in the late 1970s.
She won four Grammy nominations.
Publicist Jasmine Vega and manager Mike Gardner confirmed her death.
Mr Gardner said Teena Marie had apparently died in her sleep at her home and was found by her daughter.
When she signed to Motown, it was reportedly worried of a fan backlash to the white star and her image did not appear on her first album for the label, Wild and Peaceful.
But she became hugely respected by the black audience.
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