Shonka Dukureh, the singer and actress who recently portrayed blues singer Big Mama Thornton in the Baz Luhrmann film, Elvis has died. She was 44.
Dukureh was found unresponsive in a bedroom at her apartment in Nashville, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said in a statement. She was discovered by one of her two young children who ran to get help from a neighbour, who then called emergency services.
The police also confirmed that no foul play was suspected. Dukureh’s death remains unclassified, but an autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of her death.
Dukureh had a promising career ahead of her after her big screen debut as the legendary blues singer-songwriter Big Mama Thornton, the singer who first recorded Elvis Presley's hit Hound Dog in 1952. Dukureh performance of the classic song went viral on TikTok after the film’s release.
The actress also featured in the music video of Doja Cat's Vegas, a single from the film’s soundtrack, and shared the stage with the hip-hop artist at Coachella this year.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper tweeted his condolences to Dukureh's family and paid tribute to the singer and actress, stating that “her powerful voice and artistry will live through her music".
Aside from being a talented singer and actress, Dukureh was also a playwright, with a bachelors degree in theatre from Fisk University and a masters degree in education from Trevecca Nazarene University.
She started her career as a second grade teacher and worked with inner-city youth through after-school and summer programmes while pursuing her singing and acting career.
Dukureh was working on releasing her first studio album, The Lady Sings the Blues this year.
“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 wrote on her website.
Scroll through the gallery below for pictures of Baz Luhrmann's 'Elvis' cast
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if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan v Juventus
Saturday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Watch the match on BeIN Sports
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated
Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
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Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona
Arrogate's winning run
1. Maiden Special Weight, Santa Anita Park, June 5, 2016
2. Allowance Optional Claiming, Santa Anita Park, June 24, 2016
3. Allowance Optional Claiming, Del Mar, August 4, 2016
4. Travers Stakes, Saratoga, August 27, 2016
5. Breeders' Cup Classic, Santa Anita Park, November 5, 2016
6. Pegasus World Cup, Gulfstream Park, January 28, 2017
7. Dubai World Cup, Meydan Racecourse, March 25, 2017
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
