03
On December 26, 2010, one of the most talented arrangers, musicians, performers, producers, singers, and song writers too many people have never heard of, passed away. Teena Marie, Lady T to those who knew, admired, and loved her, was loved by Black folks since she first came onto the scene. The fact that she was white with the voice of a Black woman made us love her even more. She was family to us and she knew it. Having seen her in person a few times, I can attest to the mutual love affair we had for each other. And while there have been other white performers who supposedly had “soul“, they will NEVER sit at the table like Teena Marie could!
Teena Marie was one of the first white performers ever signed by the storied Motown Records. And in a reverse of how things used to be, Teena’s first album didn’t have her picture on the cover because Motown didn’t think African American audiences would listen if we knew she was white. Well they were wrong. Lady T hit the ground running and every song made us run right along with her. With early jams like “I’m just a sucka for your love” and “Deja Vu“, her style resonated with us and put her on the map. But it was her duet with funk master Rick James titled “Fire and Desire” that cemented her place in the hearts and souls of Black people. For most African Americans, that song is one of our favorite “slow jams” of all time. The mere mention of that song sends most of us “high fiving” and reminiscing about where we were, what we were doing, and who we were with, the first time we heard that song. It certainly does with me! Other songs followed like “It must be magic”, “Square Biz“, “I need your lovin“, and “Portuguese Love“, let everyone know that “Vanilla Choc” wasn’t just a flash in the pan. That her lyrics and voice were a force to be reckoned with. And she is credited with being one of the first early “rappers” on the song “Square Biz!”
Whether singing “slow jams“, “music for lovers“, or “shake ya ass jams“, Teena’s voice could fill the bill. And her live performances left you loving her even more. You listened to her songs in the car on the way to the concert and cranked it up on your way home or to the after party. Her slow jams, “Ooo la la la“, “Dear Lover“, “If I were a bell“, “Out on a limb“, and her remake of Rose Royce’s “Wishing on a star“, touched our hearts like few others. Then add in Duets with artists like Kurupt – “Baby who’s is it”, Faith Evans – “Can’t last a day”, Gerald Levert – “A rose is still a rose”, Lenny Kravitz – “Main Squeeze”, Patti Labelle – “Secret Garden”, Howard Hewitt – “Lover’s Lane”, and Mc Lyte – “The Pressure”, and you can see all of the talented people who created beautiful music with Teena!
There have been many white performers who have tried to crack the “color barrier” and get “in” with African American listeners. From an early Elvis, to Madonna, Eminem, and Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake, and Robin Thicke, they have all had varied results making inroads with Black folks. The closest example of that is Madonna.
Like Teena, people thought Madonna was black until they saw her on MTV. But unlike Teena Marie, Madonna sold Black folks out during a Spin magazine article in the January 1996 issue. She said that “all Black men beat their ladies”, that she has “never been disrespected more than when she was with a Black man”, and that “Black women put up with Black men treating them in this manner. She also said it was a ‘cultural thing‘!” The uproar from that article caused most African Americans to “back up off her” and her career has never been the same. Madonna, who was compared to Teena early in her career, has never reached the level of love and respect that Teena has with Black folks. And if answered honestly, it has bugged Madonna ever since. Even adopting a Black child, suspiciously seen as a way to get back into the good graces of Black folks, hasn’t worked!
Try driving in the “hood” playing “Like a virgin” or “Borderline” and see what happens. At best someone is going to tell you to “turn that shit down!” At worse, you might get a window broken! Ride in the “hood” “bumpin’” Square Biz” or “It must be magic” and you will be met with people “nodding their heads” or singing right along with you!
While many white performers have had more commercial success than Teena had, they aren’t considered “family” like Teena and welcome to come “sit at our tables.” Madonna, Eminem, Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake, and Robin Thicke, aren’t sitting on at our tables. Teena’s been with us for over 30 years. So ya’ll have a LONG way to go to be even mentioned. And for all the “House NIGroes, “Uncle Toms“, and “Sellouts” who will be asked to comment on this piece, go ahead and tell white people what THEY want to hear. Do what you need to do to keep your job, your position, or your so-called “friendships” boo boo. It won’t change anything. The TRUTH doesn’t change.
Oh, and when I say “sit at our tables“, I mean our mama’s or grand mama’s table! Because as we all know, we can’t bring “just anybody” to our mama’s house! And unlike the aforementioned white singers who might be invited and would arrive in a Limo, Teena would come too …. RIDING SHOTGUN!
Deuces!
Follow Imnotfeelingit on Twitter
Comments
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tami Miller, Tami Miller. Tami Miller said: Will NEVER sit at our tables! I'm Not Feeling it! @justinbieber @madonna @eminem @justintimberlake http://tinyurl.com/26ggwgn #teenamarie [...]
Add A Comment