Jenice Armstrong | Teena Marie is back at it


REMEMBER Teena Marie? Girlfriend's soulful voice helped define the early 1980s.

Back in the day, this former Motown singer was considered something of an aberration because she was a white woman who ruled the R&B charts.

On her debut CD, she teamed with the super freaky Rick Jamesfor the hit duet, "I'm a Sucker for Your Love." Hits such as "I Need Your Lovin' " and "Square Biz" followed.

She was a huge star in the R&B world. But in the fickle world of entertainment, nothing ever stays the same for long. After Teena took time off to care for her now-13-year-old daughter, she faded into relative obscurity.

Then, last year, Teena attempted a comeback with the CD "La Dona," on the Cash Money label (of all labels), only to be rocked by the stunning death of James in August. Teena, now 49, was a protege of James' who toured with him and was once his love interest.

I spoke with her over the weekend about James, her upcoming tour with Tony Toni Tone, which kicks off at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City on May 27, and the raunchiness of today's hip-hop lyrics.

"This last year of my life, I've felt very blue. When I went to his funeral, I wore blue because I was blue," she said of James.

"I didn't want to work for awhile. My first show was in December. It was a private party for Magic Johnson. I was just so out of sorts... I had never felt like that. I felt so weird. I broke down during the sound check."

She fared better at a New Year's Eve concert at Hollywood's House of Blues. As for James, who, according to coroners, had nine drugs in his body at the time of his death, Teena said: "He lived his life the way he wanted to live it.

"I kind of pretty much forecasted it, just because of certain things about his life. He wasn't going to change. His body had gone through a lot," she said. "It was inevitable that eventually it would give out."

Part of her Atlantic City concert will include an emotional tribute to James. FiiDLA, a neo-soul newcomer based in Philadelphia, also will perform.

Like most conscious women, Teena's not much of a fan of today's misogynistic and sexually over-the-topic lyrics, even though she admits to having helped pave the way with some of her own steamy lyrics.

"I almost think it should be on an underground station," Teena said. "It's just amazing what you can turn on the radio and hear. I'm against censorship, but it's bad that I almost feel like it should be on during certain times of the evening.

"My challenge that I make to a lot of these rappers is, 'Can you make me a story with something... other than "spread your legs"?' " she continued. " 'Do you have any other things that you talk about when you're growing up in the 'hood?' "

"I grew up in the 'hood and I had a lot to talk about."

And it wasn't all about sex, drugs and violence.

Great article. I knew if anyone would have taken Rick James' death hard, it would have been Teena Marie. She's a bad lady on her own also. She started as a Rick James protegee and was one of the first white artists to make funk/R&B and absolutely not give a damn whether it crossed over or not. She also used to perform in venues to thousands of black people and would be one of the very few white people in the entire building. She also felt totally comfortable with it.

When she left the Rick James camp, she also proved that she was talent all on her own also. Just like Rick, when she had a pop smash with "Lovergirl", she never sold out to the pop world and continued making great R&B.
[Edited 5/17/05 4:04am]

I had tickets to see Rick and Teena just a few days after he died. Not sure if I want to see her on tour with Tony Toni Tone--been there done that--but I'm glad she's touring again. Saw her a million years ago when Lovergirl was her big single and she put on a good show. As for the lyrics hers may have been 'steamy' but definitley not ther aunch that's on the radio today.

Cash Money JUST released a 3rd single to radio from Teena's Cd. Talk about a looooong delay!

The track is "My Body's Hungry", and it's one of the best on her album in my opinion. Classic Teena if you ask me.

Asking "Do you remember Teena Marie?" on the org is like asking Oswald if he remembers where he was when Kennedy was shot.

Nick715 said:

That's a great song....sexy and hypnotic,like the best Teena Marie slow jams.Hopefully,they will give it the proper promotion.

Nick715 said:

I hear ya..."looooong delay"! I, too, think that "My Body's Hungry" is classic Teena. I actually said that in another topic on Teena Marie. BTW, I just read that it's the # 3 most added on the R&R Urban AC chart for 5/20/05

From the Urban AC National Airplay© Week Ending: 5/20/2005

Urban AC Most Added©
Artist Title (Label) Adds
Vivian Green Gotta Go, Gotta Leave (Columbia) 14
R. Kelly Trapped In The Closet (Jive/Zomba Label Group) 9
Teena Marie My Body's Hungry (Cash Money/Universal) 9
Anita Baker Serious (Blue Note/Virgin) 4


http://www.radioandrecord..._Chart.asp