"Overall my race hasn't been a problem. I'm a Black artist with White skin. At the end of the day you have to sing what's in your own soul"

Teena Marie's quote shows a deep expedition of identity, artistry, and the intersection of race and individual expression. Her statement, "Overall my race hasn't been an issue. I'm a Black artist with White skin", talks to the intricacy of racial identity and understandings in the music industry and society at large. Teena Marie, born Mary Christine Brockert, was a White artist who discovered extensive impact and kinship in Black music genres, particularly soul, R&B, and funk. Her identification as a "Black artist with White skin" can be viewed as a recommendation of her deep musical roots in Black culture and her respect for the African American neighborhood that shaped much of her artistic identity.

This recommendation is not merely about the kind of music she performed or the audiences she mesmerized however is likewise a testament to her deep respect and authentic connection to Black cultural expressions. By placing herself into this space and being accepted within it, Teena Marie challenges the traditional norms of racial classification in the music industry, which frequently pigeonholes artists based on their racial background rather than their artistic output.

Her saying, "At the end of the day you have to sing what's in your own soul", highlights the authenticity she brought to her music. The soul, in creative terms, goes beyond race and ethnic culture, pointing toward a universality of human experience. By stressing the value of staying true to her inner guide, Teena Marie advocates for an art type that is sincere and unrestricted by the external labels society may enforce.

Additionally, this statement challenges the authoritative boundaries frequently placed on artists. It recommends that one's real artistic calling originates from within and ought to not be determined by societal expectations or racial assumptions. Teena Marie's career is a testimony to this belief, as she paved her own course, accepted the impacts that resonated with her, and delivered music that spoke real to her essence, eventually making her a cherished place in the hearts of her listeners.