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How did Shonka Dukureh die? Actress, 44, made her film debut with blockbuster ‘Elvis’

The 44-year-old artist was found unresponsive by one of her children in her Nashville apartment. The cause of death is still unknown

Singer and actress Shonka Dukureh, who made her big debut by playing Big Mama Thornton in Baz Luhrmann’s film ‘Elvis’, released on June 24 this year, is no more. The 44-year-old artist was found dead in her Nashville, Tennessee, apartment on Thursday, July 21.

Metro Nashville Police announced via Twitter that Dukureh was found dead in the bedroom of her apartment that she shared with her two children. The authorities wrote, “No foul play is evident in today's death of actress Shonka Dukureh, 44, who portrayed Big Mama Thornton in this year's Elvis movie. Dukureh, a Fisk Univ graduate, was found dead in the bedroom of her Kothe Way apt that she shared with her 2 young children.” As reported by The Tennessean, Dukureh was found unresponsive on Thursday morning, July 21, by one of her children, who went to a neighbor for help. The neighbor called 911 at 9.27 am. The cause of death is not yet known.

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Nashville mayor John Cooper shared his condolences to Dukureh's family in a tweet. He wrote, "My deepest condolences to the family of Shonka Dukureh. Shonka graduated from @Fisk1866 and called Nashville home for many years. Her powerful voice and artistry will live on through her music, and we honor her memory on this sad day." Others reacted by saying, "Rest by in peace Shonka Dukureh you were an amazing singer and actress." Another individual wrote, "Shonka Dukureh passing away is so heartbreaking. More than just a beautiful voice...she was a mom to 2 babies. Lord, please wrap her babies and loved ones in love and healing."

Who was Shonka Dukreh?

According to The Tennessean, Dukureh was from Charlotte, North Carolina, but later became a Nashville resident. She received a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Fisk University and a master’s degree in education from Trevecca Nazarene University. According to her website, Dukureh, who was originally inclined towards pursuing education, had plans to release her first full-length album soon, 'The Lady Sings the Blues.' “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.

Dukreh's manager Tracy Matthews also spoke about her on the site saying, “She definitely has the ability to tell any song’s story with passion, taking her listeners on an emotional journey as she pours her heart and soul into each and every note and nuance."

Lauded performances

Dukreh has done background vocals for Grammy winner Mike Farris on his 2018 album 'Silver and Stone,' for legendary music producer Pete Rock and Smoke Dza’s 2016 album 'Don't Smoke Rocks'; she also got featured as a lead vocalist on 2016 album 'Nate Bean and 4Given.'

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In her career, she’s internationally toured with artists such as Jamie Liddell and The Royal Pharaohs and had also been featured as a soloist or background vocalist with artists such as Nick Cave, Mike Farris, and Christopher Roberts, among others.