Teena Marie (born Mary Christine Brockert on March 5, 1956) is an American Grammy Awar-nominated singer/songwriter/producer. Marie, nicknamed "Lady T", is a protegé of late funk legend Rick James, and is notable as one of the few successful white performers of R&B, or blue-eyed soul. She sings R&B with big, robust vocals, and is proficient on rhythm guitar. She also has written, produced, sang and arranged virtually all of her songs since her 1980 release Irons in the Fire. She has quoted this as being her favorite album. She has a daughter named Alia Rose.