Few artists can boast as fruitful of a career in the music industry as R&B legend Teena Marie. An avid performer, singer, songwriter and musician, Teena Marie got her start in 1976 when she signed to Motown Records. There she caught the eye of funk icon Rick James, who mentored the young artist, as well as producing her first album, Wild and Peaceful. Marie continued to put out a steady stream of albums featuring a blend of funk, soul and R&B styles throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s, even dabbling in hip-hop around the time of its foray into the mainstream. After an almost decade-and-a-half-long sabbatical, Marie returned to the recording circuit with her 2004 release La Doña. Marie's legacy has certainly endured throughout the ever-changing tides of music, staying relevant even after she passed away in 2010, thus proving a staying power that only few musical artists truly achieve.
