Elvis star Shonka Dukureh was discovered dead in her Nashville, Tennessee, home on Thursday, July 21. The singer and actress was simply 44.
The star played Big Mama Thornton within the biopic, which starred Austin Butler as Elvis Presley. Thornton was the first to report Leiber and Stoller's "Hound Dog and the single was released in February 1953, it later became one of Presley's best-known hits.
This Baz Luhrmann musical-biopic marked the first major film role for the star who was born in North Carolina. Previously Dukureh recorded with and provided background vocals for the likes of Nick Cave, Mike Farris, Jamie Lidell and the Royal Pharaohs, among others.
Dukureh also appeared at Coachella alongside Doja Cat earlier this year and taught pupils through youth programs. A long term inhabitant of Nashville, she was beloved through the community for her kindness and her work with students.
9 What Happened To Shonka Dukureh?
On July 21, 2022, Shonka Dukureh was tragically found dead by police in her Nashville home. One of her young children had discovered her body in an unresponsive state and went to seek help from a neighbor. The neighbor quickly called 911, and the emergency services attended the house, but they found no evidence of foul play.
A spokesperson for the medical examiner’s office told the Los Angeles Times that the official cause of death was “hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease”.
This is a build-up of fat and cholesterol in the arteries, resulting in high blood pressure, blood clots and a lack of blood flow.
8 Baz Luhrmann Paid Tribute To Shonka Dukureh On Instagram
Baz Luhrmann took to Instagram after her death to pay tribute to the star.
“A special light went out today, and all of the Elvis movie family are heartbroken by the loss of Shonka Dukureh. From the moment she came into our world, Shonka brought joy, spirit and, of course, her voice and her music. Whenever she was on set, on stage or even just in the room, everyone always felt uplifted”.
He added, “Shonka was just starting to find a larger audience for her tremendous talent, and I got to see her uplift whole crowds of people at Coachella and beyond. A favourite word of Shonka’s, in daily use, was ‘blessings’, and I, along with the entire Elvis cast, crew and musical collaborators, feel truly blessed to have had time with her. We send all our love and support to Shonka’s children and family at this time”.
7 Shonka Dukureh Lived In Nashville For Many Years
Shonka Dukureh had lived in Nashville for many years and the mayor paid tribute to her.
"My inner most condolences to the family of Shonka Dukureh. Shonka graduated from Fisk and referred to as Nashville house for many years," John Cooper said in a statement "Her powerful voice and artistry will survive through her song, and we honor her reminiscence on this unhappy day."
6 Shonka Dukureh Was Recording Her First Album
At the time of her death, Shonka Dukureh was working on her first full-length studio album. She described her record as "a tribute to the blues music style in birthday celebration of those fierce unsung pioneering artists and musicians who lead the way for the rock and roll track revolution."
5 Shonka Dukureh Taught In Her Community
Shonka Dukureh's initial goal was to become a teacher but later decided to pursue a career as a performing artist. She graduated from Fisk University with a bachelor's degree in theater. She also held a master's degree in education from Trevecca Nazarene University.
In June 2022, Dukureh told a local Nashville publication that many of her students reached out to her after seeing her performance in Elvis.
"I taught 2d grade for a short while over at Buena Vista Elementary in Metro Schools, and then did a lot of work with interior city formative years doing after-school programming, summer time programming — those programs that we need during the destroy in order that youngsters can have a good place to be," Dukureh said.
"They're blown away, like, 'Wow! Miss Shonka! Really?' " she said with a laugh. "I stated, 'I'm still Ms. Shonka, !'"
4 Did Shonka Dukureh Have Children?
Luhrmann filmed Elvis in his homeland of Australia, where Shonka spoke about missing her two children. She said that her two children gave “the most sacrifice” because they missed her so much when they were apart. Shonka revealed that her children “screamed” when they saw her on the screen, and she was immensely “proud”.
“I was there for almost a month and a half so they missed mom!" she added. “I got a chance to turn them exactly why mom needed to be away and to have my kids sitting in that theatre and staring at me come at the display and for them to only scream and be like, ‘That’s my mother!’ I was so proud.”
3 Shonka Dukureh Performed At Coachella With Doja Cat
Shonka Dukureh shared the degree with Doja Cat at this year’s Coachella, the place she joined the Grammy-winning rapper and singer at the track Vegas, which features on the soundtrack to Elvis.
The tune which samples Big Mama Thornton’s 1952 vintage Hound Dog with an authentic track from the 26-year-old star whose real title is Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini.
“@DojaCat killed it at Coachella and the whole cast and workforce are so pleased with @iamShonkaDukureh, who came the entire approach to Australia to play the position of Big Mama Thornton in our coming near near film,” Baz Luhrmann posted on the time.
“Was a true honour getting to know her and I am so grateful to her for lending her fantastic vocals to Vegas. Her amazing efficiency in Elvis amongst her different artistry will survive. Sending my private condolences to her family members," Doja posted after Shonka's tragic death.
2 Shonka Dukureh Said Making Elvis Film Was 'Magical'
In an interview just months before her death, Shonka said filming the biopic was “magical” because of how the cast worked together and how director Baz made it seem like they were “really on Beale Street”.
She told CW30 Memphis that “I find, even just looking at different people’s reactions online, that a whole new generation is talking about Elvis and some of the characters in the film... So, I am very honored to [bring Big Mama Thornton recognition] and honor her.”
1 How Shonka Dukureh Related To Big Mama Thornton
Speaking about the role of the musical icon Shonka Dukureh told The Tennessean that she could relate to Thornton who 'was really raw with what she did and very honest and truthful and [made] music as she felt it. And I could totally relate to that.'
"I was very mindful and wanting to really be intentional about ensuring I was paying respect, respecting her, respecting her legacy, respecting her spirit, respecting the whole thing about what she delivered to tune and understanding that I'm ready to do it as a result of she's carried out it and laid that basis."
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