There are no color regulations in singing, nor should there be. Teena was a great soul artist not "blue-eyed soul singer" or whatever euphemism they tried to place on her. Good music knows no boundaries.

I'm not going to call her 'Sistah'. Did she call herself that or did everyone decide to start calling her that and get MAD at her for being called that. She's not the first white person, to sing like a black person. There are actually MANY artists that have big fanbases (people who are pissed at Teena are probably fans of these other artists, yet don't know it) of whom do not sing the ay their color regulations go. As a matter of fact, there are no color regulations in singing.
http://www.cgonzales.net
&
http://www.drxcreatures.com

Sista? I don't think so white soul singer yes.
"I always tell the truth even when I lie"

Say, O.P., Lady Tee's a SISTA BIG Time! It's just a matter of perspective that's gon' like that for all females all fellas, too whether da0some wanna accept that calling or not. She got it going on, laying down the inspiration for all who'll receive it from her, rockin' wit' delight. She's truly special, and I thank her for sharing her gifts with the world.
You're a blessing, Ms. Marie, helping me, as I grew up on ya too, to feel better about many days, with your distinct talent(s). (Thumbs up)

Storm23 said Teena has never sold out like so many to gain wider acceptance, which is one of the reasons I love her. She is immensely talented though, she can sang! Teena is the real deal.
I am a Teena head however I remember vivdly when Lover Girl came out I was surprised that the video was uncharacteristically white actor filled. Even as a youngster I just shrugged my shoulders and thought that her producers are trying to get her wider appeal. As things settled I remember thinking that such marketing didn't really garner her a new audience. Watching Lover Girl made me a little resentful in that she had been exclusively ours all these years and now she is branching out ? I kind of knew it was her powers that be and not her. She kind of needed a happy medium as her early career or even the latest on the soul classic label is a little bit ridiculous where she is the only white girl in a sea of black people. A movie would be cool, but who needs another Ray drama/ tragedy when her story could be told in ironic comedy similar to the Jerk. Last, anyone see similarities between her and Striesand ? I know someone who adores both.

No. "Lovergirl" was the only pop hit song of her career. Everything else was R&B. She has experimented all types of music, she has a fusion in all of her albums. Check out her early stuff and you'll see how talented she really is, from her songwriting abilities all the way up to her instrumental arrangements.

Well, didn't she make more of pop music in the eighties to apeal to white people?
Eminem-I don't give a beep, God sent me to piss the world off!

Teena is more of a "sista" than a lot of these r&b singers. Teena has never sold out like so many to gain wider acceptance, which is one of the reasons I love her. She is immensely talented though, she can sang! Teena is the real deal man, don't hate.

I loved her Star Child album from 1984. It had Lover Boy on it, and I ruined the tape listening to it.
Mommy to two little monsters

your a beep idiot Jr Writer, you have no idea what the hell you talking about disrespecting Lady T like that, man you should be ashamed of yourself

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I agree, bealston. Teena didn't even deserve to have her first record cover not revealing what she looked like because of people like the troll who started this thread. We are much stronger than such ignorant trash & see talent from within not because of the color of their skin.

Man, I came to this board to share the Teena love, and what did I find? A relentless and narrow-minded hater. It surprises AND saddens me to see that people actually exist who feel that the great healing source of music should be segregated. for shame. Teena we love you and thanks for the music.

i know i was just putting my input. i was seraching to see if this forum talked any about her. and the last post was like november 21

i thought this thread ended months ago?!
markster

first thing you dont have to be black to sing R&B. since when did R&B have strict rules? but now as for teena. im sure she knows shes not black. she's just been singing around black ppl for as long as she has been in the industry. she's been singing R&B since she started her career. and as for the cash money. yea shes on the classics imprint of it so she still for the most part maintains her old school style. and she like black men(not to be mean but it's true). if you dont like her music fine. we are all entitled to our own opinions but just bc shes white and singing this kind of music doesnt mean she's a wannabe.

Don't hate!!! Leave Teena alone. She's been around black folks all her life so what do you expect. And she doesn't think she is black she speaks and sounds like a regular white woman. That's just like Mariah Carey growing up around alot of whites. Her daughter is biracial.

end of discussion.
markster

I don't believe that black or white has anything to do with her style of singing. She lives the culture (which I admit is predominately black); she's sung soul music from the beginning AND 97% of her record sales are from black people. There are artists out there like Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera that sing "black" music because it's lucrative now BUT Teena sung it when it was dangerous for your career and she did it as well as anyone and better than most. Her soul is in the music and not in the color. Would it be better if she were to sing soul and come out giggling like a girl from the valley? No, this is her passion and she shows it. Honestly, she would have had a much more successful career if she weren't a funk/soul artist and sang standards.
I understand that you may or may not be a fan but discrediting her contribution to the genre is kind of short sighted, imo.
http://www.myspace.com/eightcrayondon

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ok i'm ending this right now; teena is a great, talented artist.
PERIOD!!!
END OF THREAD AND DISCUSSION!
markster
www.soundclick.com/markusky
stat songs publishing, ltd. (ascap)

Ok, so now I'm a troll just because of an opinion? F)ck you.
I buried those cockaroaches Tony Montana (Scarface)

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