Shonka Dukureh, a singer and actor dies at 44

On Thursday, authorities discovered Shonka Dukureh dead at her apartment in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 44.

The Metro Nashville Police Department tweeted that there is no evidence of foul play in Dukureh's death.

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According to The Tennessean, one of Dukureh's kids saw her unresponsive on Thursday morning and sought assistance from a neighbour.

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The medical examiner will identify the cause of death because it is currently unknown.

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Dukureh's breakthrough performance as Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton in "Elvis" came this year.

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Dukureh's first major film role was in "Elvis," and her rendition of "Hound Dog" appears on the soundtrack.

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Dukureh had planned to release her first full-length album soon, according to her website.

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She graduated from Fisk University with a bachelor's degree in theatre and a master's degree in education from Trevecca Nazarene University.

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Dukureh has collaborated and recorded with artists such as Jamie Lidell and the Royal Pharaohs, Nick Cave, Mike Farris, Pete Rock, Smoke Dza, and Bahamas.

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