?ITS A DAMN SHAME HOW PEOPLE ARENT TRULY APPRECIATED FOR THEIR CRAFT TILL THEY ARE LONG GONE, TODAY I WOKE UP TO A FLOODING OF RIPS AND?PRAISES TO TENNA MARIE? VIA TWITTER BUT WHERE, WERE THESE PRIASES WHEN TEENA WAS AROUND TO HEAR THEM?…RIP TEENA YOU WERE GREAT PAST & PRESENT,?AND YOUR MUSIC WILL ALWAYS BE APPRECIATED AND HEARD.?

Grammy nominated singer Teena Marie — once known as Rick James’ prot?g?e — died in her sleep last night at her home in Pasadena at the age of 54.

Relatives found Teena’s body Sunday morning at her home. Relatives tell TMZ Teena seemed fine yesterday, when she spent Christmas with her brother.

Teena spoke at length yesterday with Lynn, who tells TMZ Teena seemed “fine.”

So far it’s unclear what caused the singer’s death — but the Pasadena Police Department tells TMZ they do no suspect foul play. They say it looks like Teena died of natural causes. The L.A. County Coroner’s Office will perform an autopsy.

We’re told Teena had a seizure a month ago, but it’s unclear what triggered it.

Marie was nominated for a Grammy four times … her first top ten hit was “I’m Just a Sucker for Your Love.”

Story developing…

(VIA TMZ)