Elvisactress Shonka Dukureh has passed away reportedWSMV4. According to the Metro Nashville Police Department: “The 44-year-old actress who played Big Mama Thornton’s role in 2022 was found dead in her Nashville apartment on July 20.”
According to one of her children, Dukureh was unresponsive when she found him and ran to the apartment of a neighbor. The neighbor called 911 at 9:27 am. Police say that her death has not been classified pending the results from the Medical Examiner’s Office’s autopsy. There is no suspicion of foul play and there are no further details regarding her death.
DukurehFisk University graduate and performer.who initially wanted to become a teacher. She has been a star in numerous plays and touring musicals throughout the United States and has performed background vocals on several albums by Grammy-winning artists. Dukureh toured internationally alongside Jamie Lidell, a recording artist, and The Royal Pharaohs.
Recent film debut by the singer inElvisas the legendary Big Mama Thornton, one of Elvis Presley’s inspirations and the original creator of the song “Hound Dog,”It was this song that launched his career. Doja Cat’s hit song was also performed by her “Vegas”Coachella’s music artists at the weekend.
Dukureh toldShadow and Actin April that she was delighted to have the opportunity to express her talents both on stage and in film.”It’s been amazing and I’m looking forward to doing it all over again,”She said. “It’s just been a dream. I didn’t even know it was a dream [of mine] until I really got there and experienced everything, but it has really been a chance of a lifetime, this life-altering experience.”
Dukureh stated that Thornton was a great role and she took extra care to honor his legacy.”You know what, it’s all amazing because I know I realize that there were a lot of people who could have played the role or they had a lot of choices out there that they could have gotten to play the role,”She said.
“And so I just knew how privileged I was to get the opportunity. And I just wanted to want it to pay the right respect to Big Mama Thornton and to do her justice in the film.”
“I was very aware and wanting to really be intentional about making sure I was paying respect, respecting her, respecting her legacy, respecting her spirit, respecting everything about what she brought to music and understanding that I’m able to do it because she’s done it and laid that foundation,”She said.
Dukureh originally planned to release her debut studio album.The Lady Sings Bluesin June of 2022. “The project is a tribute to the blues music genre in celebration of those fierce unsung pioneering artists and musicians who paved the way for the rock’n roll music revolution,”She was quoted by herofficial website.
Dukureh toldShadow and Actthat it was to be a blues record “where I’m going to be paying tribute to the genre that laid the foundation for music that we’re hearing today. I want to have that project ready by June for Black History Month. And I’m just so excited to be able to lend my voice to a genre that has given so much.”