Tonight’s news of Teena Marie’s passing is nothing short of devastating. For some reason, this hit much harder than most other celebrity deaths (well, particularly those whom I’ve grown to admire, talent-wise). Maybe because her music was just that ill to me, but I feel like a good friend of mine has shed his/her mortal coil.

Just goes to really show how powerful this thing called music is.

“Lovergirl”

“Ooh La La La” (Live on Soul Train)

“Wishin’ On A Star” (from New York Undercover)

Go now and enjoy her catalog and remember her as an iconoclast, for without the incredible Lady Tee, soul/funk music would not have the same element of boundlessness that has existed since making her industry debut more than 30 years ago. Let’s not forget that voice and her song writing…damn.