Teena Marie

Often described as a white woman with a Black voice, singer and songwriter Teena Marie landed more than two dozen songs on Billboard’s R&B charts during her remarkable career.

She recorded for Motown, Cash Money, and Stax and scored a Top 5 pop hit with 1984’s “Lovergirl.” • Growing up in Venice, California, Marie made many Black friends and developed an appreciation for Black music and culture.

• She signed with Motown in 1976 and released debut album, Wild and Peaceful—largely written and produced by her mentor, Rick James—in 1979.