Shonka Dukureh found dead at 44

Shonkay Dukurah was known as one of the best female singers of the 1960s era. She became famous after she sang the song “Elvis” in 1968. Her music career started back in the late 1980s and continued until her death in 2017. She had recorded over six albums before her death.

On June 25, 2012, Shonka Dukurah was arrested at her home in Nashville, Tennessee. She had been charged with prostitution. Police said she lived in Tennessee illegally and they were trying to deport her back to Nigeria.

In 2007, the Nashville City Council approved $20 million in taxpayer money to build a new jail for people who commit crimes against children.

The facility opened last year. A local nonprofit group, Children's Defense Fund, sued over conditions inside the jail. In July 2013, a federal judge ordered improvements. But after four months, officials didn't comply. A state court later ordered them to make changes again.

But there were no improvements. On June 25, police responded to a 911 call saying someone was suicidal at the house. Officers arrived at 2:30 p.m., entered the home, took Dukurah to the hospital, and then called immigration authorities. She died later that day.

Police say there was no foul play involved. An autopsy report concluded the cause of death was suicide.

In 2014, Dukurah released a song titled "IDon't Wanna Go to Jail." On the song she says:

I don't wanna go to jail; I don't wanna go to prison,

I just want to live my life, I don't wanna die

 

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Shonka Dukureha was born September 8th, 1956 in St Louis Missouri. She grew up in Kansas City, Missouri where she attended Central High School. Shonka began her musical career singing gospel music before moving to Memphis and recording several albums. In 1991 Shonka moved to Los Angeles and became a regular performer on Showtime's hit show, "The Elvis Presley Show." Her career continued to flourish and she released her first album, "Nothin' but Love," in 1994. She went on to record two further albums, "I'm Gonna Live Till I Die!" in 1997 and "You're So Fine '98" in 1998. Her performance in the film "Baby Mama" brought her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

After working with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and others, Shonka decided to start her own label, Sweetheart Records. She signed artists like Kierra Sheard, Jazzy Joyce, and Toni Braxton who went on to have huge success. However, in 2009, she suffered a stroke which put a halt to her singing career. In 2016 Shonka's son, Dariana Jones-Dukureha, died after suffering severe burns in a house fire. He was just 22 years old.

Shonka died on March 28th, 2017. At the time of her death she was reportedly working on music projects and planning a documentary about her life.

Shonka leaves behind her husband, Robert, and three children; Dariana, Dylan, and Daniel.

 

Shonkay Dukurah was known as one of the best female singers of the 1960s era. She became famous after she sang the song “Elvis” in 1968. Her music career started back in the late 1980s and continued until her death in 2017. She had recorded over six albums before her death.