Shonka Dukureh

The Charlotte, North Carolina native was a self-taught singer like Thornton; she also worked with the likes of Nick Cave, Jamie Lidell, and others.

Dukureh made a star turn as Thornton, particularly performing the singer’s version of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller’s “Hound Dog.” The real-life Thornton was the first person to record the single in 1952. She taught herself how to sing, she taught herself how to play the drums, harmonica, and she said things like, ‘I don’t know how to read music, but I know how to sing and I know what good music sounds like.’ And I can relate to all of it.” Shonka Dukureh, the singer and actress who recently portrayed blues legend Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton in Baz Luhrmann’s new film Elvis, has died.

Blues singer and "Elvis" actress Shonka Dukureh was found dead in her Nashville apartment Thursday, police said.

Dukureh, 44, was found in the bedroom of the apartment she shared with her two children, police said. And I could totally relate to that," noted Dukureh. She also held a master's degree in education from Trevecca Nazarene University.

Shonka Dukureh, who played Big Mama Thornton in the new “Elvis” movie, was found dead on Thursday. Police confirmed there was no foul play.

Dukureh proudly reflected on her role in the movie – and getting the opportunity to sing Presley’s hit song “Hound Dog” – via Instagram ahead of her death. The mom of two is best known for playing the iconic role of Big Mama Thornton in “Elvis,” which follows the life of the late Elvis Presley. The movie, which premiered on June 24, was Dukureh’s first and only movie credit, according to IMDB. No foul play is suspected.

Nashville singer and actor Shonka Dukureh has died unexpectedly, according to her manager. She's survived by her two young children. The 44-year-old's.

“Because she was very adamant that she only had her voice — no one could sing like her and she sang like no one. No foul play is evident, and her death has not yet been classified.The 44-year-old’s star was rising rapidly – she recently portrayed the role of Big Mama Thornton in the new Elvis movie, and shared the stage at Coachella with Doja Cat.But even before she charmed movie-goers on the silver screen, Dukureh made her mark locally in Nashville.She grew up here, building her talent as a singer in church and local theater productions. She graduated from Fisk University, with a theater degree, and Trevecca Nazarene with a degree in education.Despite being known for her larger-than-life voice, one of her first loves was teaching.“I taught second grade for a little while over at Buena Vista Elementary in Metro Schools, and then did a lot of work with inner city youth doing after school programming, summer programing — those programs that we need during the break so that kids can have a positive place to be,” Dukureh said.She sat down with WPLN’s Nina Cardona last month, and told her those students have been reaching out after seeing her in the Elvis movie.“They’re blown away, like, ‘Wow! Miss Shonka! Really?'” she said, laughing.

Shonka Dukureh, who played Big Mama Thornton in the "Elvis" movie, was found dead Thursday in her home in Nashville, police confirmed. She was 44 years old.

Dukureh, a Fisk University graduate and Nashville singer, shared the apartment with her two young children, police said. One of the children found her unresponsive and went to the apartment of a neighbor, who called 911 shortly before 9:30 a.m., police said. She was 44.

Dukureh was found dead in the bedroom of her Kothe Way apartment that she shared with her two young children. One of them found her unresponsive and ran to a ...

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Dukureh played "Hound Dog" singer Big Mama Thornton in Baz Luhrmann's biopic.

In an interview about the film, Dukureh said of Thornton, “[Big Mama Thornton] was really raw with what she did and very honest and truthful and [made] music as she felt it. In addition to her appearance in Elvis, Dukureh also appeared in a recent music video for Doja Cat, and was gearing up to release her first album, The Lady Sings The Blues. ( Per THR, she continued to work with kids via after-school and summer programs even as she pursued her performing career.) Elvis was her film debut, after a number of years working as a session music with a number of artists, including Jamie Liddell and Nick Cave. She played Thornton in Luhrmann’s movie, and also appeared on the film’s soundtrack, belting out the version of “Hound Dog” that inspires Austin Butler’s Elvis to begin performing the song himself.

A singer and actress who appeared this year as blues singer Big Mama Thornton in the film "Elvis" was found dead in her Nashville apartment on Thursday, ...

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Nashville Mayor John Cooper tweeted his condolences to Dukureh's family, saying that she had graduated from Fisk University in the city that she had called home for many years. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com

Autopsy results pending for the Nashville actor, singer and former teacher.

Dukureh, a Fisk University graduate and Nashville singer, shared the apartment with her two young children, police said. She was 44. NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Shonka Dukureh, who played Big Mama Thornton in this year’s movie about Elvis Presley, was found dead Thursday in a bedroom at her home in Nashville, police said.

Nashville police said there were no signs of foul play. Autopsy results are pending from the medical examiner.

Dukureh, a Fisk University graduate and Nashville singer, shared the apartment with her two young children, police said. One of the children found her unresponsive and went to the apartment of a neighbor, who called 911 shortly before 9:30 a.m., police said. She was 44.

Tributes poured in for Shonka Dukureh, who played Big Mama Thornton in the recent "Elvis" movie. Director Baz Luhrmann wrote: "A special light went out ...

Dukureh, a Fisk Univ graduate, was found dead in the bedroom of her Kothe Way apt that she shared with her 2 young children.— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) July 21, 2022 “An incredible talent taken from us too soon,” Doja Cat, whose real name is Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, posted on Instagram in a tribute. “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,” Luhrmann added. The movie is widely expected to scoop up accolades during the Hollywood awards season. Nashville Mayor John Cooper tweeted his condolences to Dukureh’s family and said “her powerful voice and artistry will live on through her music, and we honor her memory on this sad day.”

Police said there were no signs of foul play after she was found by one of her children in Nashville.

The actor, who also shared the stage at Coachella this year with Doja Cat, had a theatre degree from Fisk University in Nashville and graduated from Trevecca Nazarene with an education degree, WPLN-FM reported. Shonka Dukureh, who played Big Mama Thornton in this year’s movie about Elvis Presley, has been found dead in a bedroom at her home in Nashville, police said. Dukureh, a 44-year-old Nashville singer, shared the apartment with her two young children, police said.

The Charlotte, North Carolina native was found dead in her Nashville apartment on Thursday, July 21, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department. The ...

Dukureh also appeared onstage with Doja Cat during her set at Coachella to perform the song. In the film she performed the singer’s version of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller’s “Hound Dog,” which the real-life Thornton recorded in 1952. Dukureh was raised in Charlotte and relocated to Nashville to attend Fisk University, where she studied theater.

Elvis” actor Shonka Dukureh was found dead Thursday in the Nashville, Tennessee, apartment she shared with her two young children, police said.

And I could totally relate to that” "I, along with the entire Elvis cast, crew and musical collaborators, feel truly blessed to have had time with her. “Whenever she was on set, on stage or even just in the room, everyone always felt uplifted.

ELVIS director Baz Luhrmann has paid tribute to cast member Shonka Dukureh, who was found dead on Thursday.

A favorite 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. She had previously worked with musicians such as Jamie Liddell and The Royal Pharaohs and Nick Cave. And I could totally relate to that. Dukureh was found dead on Thursday, July 21, in a bedroom at her home in Nashville, which she shared with her two young children, the Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed. Whenever she was on set, on stage, or even just in the room, everyone always felt uplifted. Speaking to The Tennessean ahead of the movie's cinematic release, Dukureh said: "Big Mama Thornton] was really raw with what she did and very honest and truthful and [made] music as she felt it.

Shonka Dukureh, the gospel singer who played Big Mama Thornton in "Elvis," found dead in Nashville apartment at the age of 44.

"Was a true honor getting to know her and I’m so grateful to her for lending her incredible vocals to ‘Vegas.’ Her amazing performance in Elvis amongst her other artistry will live on. "A favorite 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. "She’s so soft-spoken," the star said. Whenever she was on set, on stage or even just in the room, everyone always felt uplifted." We send all our love and support to Shonka’s children and family at this time." She’s unbelievable."

On July 21, 'Elvis' actress and singer Shonka Dukureh was found dead in her home, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said. She was 44.

Dukureh recently played Big Mama Thornton in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic in her big-screen debut — her performance of “Hound Dog” in the film went viral online. “Her amazing performance in Elvis amongst her other artistry will live on.” Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dukureh earned a bachelor’s degree in theater from Fisk University and a master’s degree in education from Trevecca Nazarene. She went on to become an elementary-school teacher and theater actress, radio station WPLN-FM reported.

Ms. Dukureh impressed in her Hollywood debut, with one castmate calling her performance “a spiritual experience.”

Olivia DeJonge, who played Priscilla Presley in the film, told Entertainment Weekly that watching Ms. Dukureh “was a spiritual experience.” Ms. Dukureh, who was from Nashville “by way of Charlotte, N.C.,” originally planned to become a teacher and held a master’s degree in education from Trevecca Nazarene University, according to her website. Her cover of “Hound Dog” especially captivated audiences. “Elvis,” the biopic of Elvis Presley that starred Austin Butler and Tom Hanks, was Ms. Dukureh’s first major acting role. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department confirmed the death but did not provide a cause, saying only that no foul play was evident. Ms. Dukureh’s performance as Big Mama Thornton, her Hollywood debut, was described by one castmate as “a spiritual experience.”

The actress, R&B singer was found in her Nashville apartment months after her breakout role.

We send all our love and support to Shonka’s children and family at this time.” Luhrmann shared a note on Instagram, saying “A favorite 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. Dukureh had recently achieved notoriety in her portrayal of Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton in Baz Luhrmann’s “ Elvis,” but her career was filled with years of performing in various capacities.