Teena Marie Aritcle in the Daily News - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

musicradio77 · 05-31-2004, 08:59 PM

This is an article about Teena Marie in the Daily News:

Singing from her soul
1980's R&B queen Teena Marie cuts her first disc in a decade
By Jim Farber

It's so wonderful that the world has changed so much," says teena Marie. She should know.

In 1979, she began singing R&B hits in such convincing ways, many people didn't know she was white.

Back then, nearly every major white singer sang pop or rock, not R&B. And songs identified as R&B were segregated in black radio stations, with few opportunities for a mainstream crossover.

Today, R&B is synonymous with pop thanks to black stars such as Beyonce and Alicia Keyes. White artists such as Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera, meanwhile, can belt R&B songs to their hearts' (and lungs') content.

But it was Marie who blazed the trail. "A lot people still think I'm black," she says. "But I always thought, 'Why do you have to have brown skin to sing R&B?' You sing what's in your soul."

The 48-year-old Californian finally has the chance to do so again having just released her first album in 10 years. Titled "La Dona," it's the first release from Cash Money Classics, a new R&B imprint from the New Orleans-based hip-hop label Cash Money, home to rappers such as Juvenile and Lil' Wayne.

"La Dona" serves up a perfectly calibrated mix of old-school R&B and neo-soul - the latter thanks to Marie's collaborations with Cash Money producer Mannie Fresh and rapper Common.

The album also reunites Marie on a track with her original collaboratior, Rick James. Two paired for her first Top 10 R&B hit, 1979's "I'm a Sucker for Your Love".

Born Mary Christine Brockert in 1956, Marie grew up in the West Los Angeles area known as "Venice Harlem," named for his large black population. In hr early 20's, she was signed to Motown Records. James took her under his wing there, after she'd had several failed projects. He became her lover and wrote and produced most of her debut album, "Wild and Peaceful".

At a suggestion of Motown chief Berry Gordy, the album didn't feature a cover of Marie, but a seascape.

"He wanted people to hear the music, and not connect to what I looked like," Marie explains.

On 1980's "Irons in the Fire," her third album, Marie proved she was far more than just a James protegee. She produced, wrote and arranged much of the material herself, showcasing one of R&B's most electifying voices in the process.

REFUSED TO SELL OUT

Though Marie continued to sell strongly throughout the '80's, she had hardly any profile on pop radio - which was fine with her.

"I was verry excited yo be on R&B radio," Marie says. It's what made me unique."

Her refusal to sell out made Marie an icon of independence, and gave her great street credibility, which extends to this day.

She also made legal history in 1982. Due to disputes with Motown, they sued her and she countersued. She won, and in the decision she wound up with congressional bill in her name (the Brockert Intinative). It states that companies can't contractually bind artists in definately while refusing to put out their product.

"I'm very proud of that," she says. "But I would have liked not to have to sue. I would have rather hid behind the tree."

Marie enjoyed more hits on Epic in the late 80's, but her career petered out in the early 90's. She released her last album "Passion Play", independently in 1994.

In the years since, Marie has been able to tour successfully, without a hit or a contract. She also has spent much of her time at home in LA raising her daughter, who's now 12, with her boyfriend (who's not in the child's father).

Marie has never married.

I could never have stayed married to the people I could have married," she explains. "If I ever do marry, it will be forever."

Marie had been recording her new album for the last 5 years. She had no contract, but was hoping to find a major label to back it, since she found her indie experience "a nightmare".

A copy of her demo got into the hands of the Cash Money men and they wanted it. Marie was suspicious at first, especially since she's not a fan of hard-core rap in particular.

"I thought, 'What am I going to do for Cash Money?'" she says.

But they brought the record just as it was, adding only one song, the single "Still in Love".

The CD title comes from one of Marie's managers, who cals her "La Dona", a latin term of matriarchal respect. It's also kind of a distaff equivalent of "don" in Mafia-speak. Marie acknowledges there's something "a bit gangsta-ish" about her new music.

Some of it presents Marie as a female answer to Ron Isley's Mr. Biggs character from his comeback albums. Marie's point to the Isleys' commercial revival and the recent signing of the O'Jays to Beyonce's label as signs that the industry is making a place for R&B vets.

"They're recognizing we're still viable," she says.

And who better than Marie to lead the fight? Having once brought down racial barrriers, maybe now she can do the same for age.

Jrnygrl · 05-31-2004, 10:06 PM

BrooklynGuy78, thanks for the article. I bought her CD last week and it is really good, I highly recommend it.

musicradio77 · 05-31-2004, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jrnygrl
BrooklynGuy78, thanks for the article. I bought her CD last week and it is really good, I highly recommend it.

You're welcome! Be on the look out for our Motown 45th Anniversary Avatar Artists of the Week returns this Saturday as we feature in our avatar, Teena Marie.

Steve Carras · 06-01-2004, 01:25 AM

Ya know, she was named after a Perry Como song of the time of her birth (50s)..TEENA MARIE...

05-31-2004, 08:59 PM	#1
musicradio77 Disney Expert Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 14, 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 6,475	Teena Marie Aritcle in the Daily News This is an article about Teena Marie in the Daily News: Singing from her soul 1980's R&B queen Teena Marie cuts her first disc in a decade By Jim Farber It's so wonderful that the world has changed so much," says teena Marie. She should know. In 1979, she began singing R&B hits in such convincing ways, many people didn't know she was white. Back then, nearly every major white singer sang pop or rock, not R&B. And songs identified as R&B were segregated in black radio stations, with few opportunities for a mainstream crossover. Today, R&B is synonymous with pop thanks to black stars such as Beyonce and Alicia Keyes. White artists such as Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera, meanwhile, can belt R&B songs to their hearts' (and lungs') content. But it was Marie who blazed the trail. "A lot people still think I'm black," she says. "But I always thought, 'Why do you have to have brown skin to sing R&B?' You sing what's in your soul." The 48-year-old Californian finally has the chance to do so again having just released her first album in 10 years. Titled "La Dona," it's the first release from Cash Money Classics, a new R&B imprint from the New Orleans-based hip-hop label Cash Money, home to rappers such as Juvenile and Lil' Wayne. "La Dona" serves up a perfectly calibrated mix of old-school R&B and neo-soul - the latter thanks to Marie's collaborations with Cash Money producer Mannie Fresh and rapper Common. The album also reunites Marie on a track with her original collaboratior, Rick James. Two paired for her first Top 10 R&B hit, 1979's "I'm a Sucker for Your Love". Born Mary Christine Brockert in 1956, Marie grew up in the West Los Angeles area known as "Venice Harlem," named for his large black population. In hr early 20's, she was signed to Motown Records. James took her under his wing there, after she'd had several failed projects. He became her lover and wrote and produced most of her debut album, "Wild and Peaceful". At a suggestion of Motown chief Berry Gordy, the album didn't feature a cover of Marie, but a seascape. "He wanted people to hear the music, and not connect to what I looked like," Marie explains. On 1980's "Irons in the Fire," her third album, Marie proved she was far more than just a James protegee. She produced, wrote and arranged much of the material herself, showcasing one of R&B's most electifying voices in the process. REFUSED TO SELL OUT Though Marie continued to sell strongly throughout the '80's, she had hardly any profile on pop radio - which was fine with her. "I was verry excited yo be on R&B radio," Marie says. It's what made me unique." Her refusal to sell out made Marie an icon of independence, and gave her great street credibility, which extends to this day. She also made legal history in 1982. Due to disputes with Motown, they sued her and she countersued. She won, and in the decision she wound up with congressional bill in her name (the Brockert Intinative). It states that companies can't contractually bind artists in definately while refusing to put out their product. "I'm very proud of that," she says. "But I would have liked not to have to sue. I would have rather hid behind the tree." Marie enjoyed more hits on Epic in the late 80's, but her career petered out in the early 90's. She released her last album "Passion Play", independently in 1994. In the years since, Marie has been able to tour successfully, without a hit or a contract. She also has spent much of her time at home in LA raising her daughter, who's now 12, with her boyfriend (who's not in the child's father). Marie has never married. I could never have stayed married to the people I could have married," she explains. "If I ever do marry, it will be forever." Marie had been recording her new album for the last 5 years. She had no contract, but was hoping to find a major label to back it, since she found her indie experience "a nightmare". A copy of her demo got into the hands of the Cash Money men and they wanted it. Marie was suspicious at first, especially since she's not a fan of hard-core rap in particular. "I thought, 'What am I going to do for Cash Money?'" she says. But they brought the record just as it was, adding only one song, the single "Still in Love". The CD title comes from one of Marie's managers, who cals her "La Dona", a latin term of matriarchal respect. It's also kind of a distaff equivalent of "don" in Mafia-speak. Marie acknowledges there's something "a bit gangsta-ish" about her new music. Some of it presents Marie as a female answer to Ron Isley's Mr. Biggs character from his comeback albums. Marie's point to the Isleys' commercial revival and the recent signing of the O'Jays to Beyonce's label as signs that the industry is making a place for R&B vets. "They're recognizing we're still viable," she says. And who better than Marie to lead the fight? Having once brought down racial barrriers, maybe now she can do the same for age.
	__________________ Musicradio77 Productions

06-01-2004, 01:25 AM	#4
Steve Carras Sandra Bullock RULES! Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 30, 2002 Location: Riverside County, CA Posts: 807	Ya know, she was named after a Perry Como song of the time of her birth (50s)..TEENA MARIE...
	__________________ "And that's showbiz......kid" -Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger, Chicago, 2002)

05-31-2004, 10:06 PM	#2
Jrnygrl Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Location: wheel in the sky Posts: 4,540	BrooklynGuy78, thanks for the article. I bought her CD last week and it is really good, I highly recommend it.