Sheila E. Talks Early Relationship With Prince, Childhood Trauma, New Music + More

Sheila E: The Journey of a Music Legend

Early Musical Influences

• Sheila E introduces herself and discusses her musical background, highlighting her father's influence as a percussionist.

• Growing up in a musical family, Sheila was surrounded by music from an early age, with jam sessions happening regularly at home.

• She reflects on being the first woman she saw play drums, which inspired her to pursue drumming herself.

Connection to Prince

• Sheila shares memories of listening to songs like "Sister Fate" during her childhood and later realizing their deeper meanings related to relationships.

• Discussing her relationship with Prince, she reveals that "Sister Fate" was about him and how they navigated their public and private lives while working together.

• Sheila explains the challenges of maintaining privacy in a public relationship while writing songs based on personal experiences.

Career Beginnings

• She recounts starting her career at 15 when she recorded with Billy Cobham, initially focusing on percussion before transitioning into singing.

• Her family's tradition of entertaining at parties helped shape her performance skills and confidence in front of audiences.

Meeting Prince

• Sheila describes meeting Prince in 1977 when he came to the Bay Area for his first record; he was not yet famous or financially established.

• She recalls how Prince was shy and still developing his identity as an artist during their initial interactions.

Challenges as a Female Drummer

• Sheila discusses the rarity of female drummers in the industry and how it initially posed challenges when collaborating with male musicians.

Musical Journey and Personal Growth

Early Influences and Aspirations

• The speaker reflects on their first musical experience at age five, jamming with their dad, which sparked an early interest in music.

• At 15, the speaker initially aspired to be an athlete like their mother but discovered a passion for music after performing with their dad.

• The father expressed concerns about the struggles of being a musician, particularly as a percussion player in Latin music.

Love and Relationships in Music

• The speaker describes not having an instant connection with Prince; it was more competitive than romantic at first.

• The father approved of the relationship with Prince, appreciating his musicianship and how he was inspired by the family’s Latin jazz background.

• A surprise proposal from Prince during a performance of "Purple Rain" caught the speaker off guard but led to an affirmative response.

Musical Evolution and Career Choices

• Despite initial excitement, the couple grew apart due to differing musical directions; the speaker sought new artistic experiences.

• Growing up in a musically diverse environment influenced the desire to collaborate with various artists across genres.

Challenges in Artistic Identity

• The speaker expresses frustration over solo artist responsibilities that detracted from enjoying music-making itself.

• They emphasize a preference for both behind-the-scenes work (like producing and writing) and performing.

Experience with Krush Groove

• Transitioning from touring to acting in "Krush Groove," they faced unexpected challenges related to East Coast-West Coast rivalries within hip-hop culture.

• Initially unaware of these tensions, they encountered hostility from some New York rappers during filming.

Behind the Scenes of a Music Video

Negative Audience Experience During Filming

• The director, Michael, expressed frustration when the audience failed to clap at the end of a song during filming, leading to a negative atmosphere.

• Despite the upbeat music, the behind-the-scenes experience was described as "horrible," highlighting a disconnect between performance and audience reaction.

• Michael had to remind extras that they were part of a movie and expected them to engage appropriately by clapping.

Financial Struggles on Tour

• The speaker recounts an extensive tour where they ended up owing money instead of being compensated for their work.

• Although paid for "Purple Rain," there were hidden costs that weren't disclosed until later, leading to financial confusion.

• The speaker humorously noted competing with Prince over who could be best dressed, which led to unexpected expenses due to custom clothing orders.

Lessons Learned About Finances

• A realization emerged about needing to read contracts carefully and surround oneself with trustworthy people in the industry.

• An audit revealed that an accountant was double billing both the speaker and Prince, indicating deeper issues within financial management in their careers.

Health Challenges Impacting Career

• The speaker faced significant health challenges including a collapsed lung and back issues from performing in heels, necessitating a year off from performing.

• This break allowed for reflection on personal behavior and treatment of others within the industry; it served as an eye-opening moment regarding humility.

Timelessness of Music Creation

• When asked if they believed their songs would remain timeless, the response highlighted that creativity often stems from personal struggles or emotional experiences.

Understanding the Journey of Healing

The Impact of Transparency and Personal History

• The speaker reflects on the importance of transparency in personal experiences and how it affects others, acknowledging a transformation over time.

• A friend inspired the speaker to write a memoir titled "Speed of My Own Drum," stemming from childhood trauma experienced at age five.

Confronting Anger and Suppressed Emotions

• The speaker discusses recognizing persistent anger as a sign of suppressed emotions, leading to the decision to express these feelings through writing.

• They emphasize that many people may not understand their anger, highlighting the need for self-reflection to uncover underlying issues.

Childhood Trauma and Its Aftermath

• The speaker reveals they were raped at five years old, discussing the difficulty in communicating this trauma to family members due to shame and guilt.

• They recount an attempt to confront the perpetrator but faced disbelief due to lack of evidence, illustrating challenges in addressing such traumatic experiences.

Helping Others Through Shared Experiences

• At 30 years old, the speaker began sharing their story with young victims of abuse, using music and arts as therapeutic tools for healing.

• This outreach was motivated by a desire to connect with those who have endured similar hardships, fostering a supportive environment.

Reflections on Relationships and Loss

• Discussing their relationship with Prince before his passing, the speaker notes limited interaction in recent years but recalls significant past collaborations.

• Following Prince's death, they felt overwhelmed by public reactions from individuals claiming closeness; this led them to withdraw from media exposure for emotional protection.

Navigating Personal Beliefs and Performance Choices

• The speaker shares experiences attending Prince's performances during his transition away from certain songs due to religious beliefs.

• They maintain flexibility in performing older songs while adapting lyrics that align with their values; they do not shy away from any material entirely.

Spiritual Conversations with Prince

• Conversations about faith between the speaker and Prince are highlighted; both shared differing perspectives yet maintained mutual respect regarding spirituality.

Prince's Legacy and Personal Experiences

Opening Up His Home

• The discussion revolves around whether Prince would have wanted his home to be open for tours. It is suggested that he was a private person but had already begun inviting people over for performances, indicating a desire to share his space with fans.

Plans for a Museum

• It is revealed that Prince had been planning to create a museum years before his passing. He wanted people to see some of his work, showcasing his intention to preserve and share his legacy.

Memorable Encounters

• A humorous anecdote is shared about Charlemagne meeting Prince, where he awkwardly greeted him without knowing what else to say. This highlights the star power and unique presence of Prince during such encounters.

Technology Mishaps

• An amusing incident occurs when an attempt to take a picture with Prince results in the photo disappearing from their device, emphasizing the mystique surrounding him.

Groupies and Fame

• Sheila E. discusses her experiences with groupies while on tour, noting that despite aging, the attention from fans remains prevalent in her life as an artist.

Collaborations and Creative Processes

Working with Snoop Dogg

• Sheila E. mentions collaborating with Snoop Dogg on a new song titled "No Line," expressing excitement about their creative synergy during recording sessions.

Studio Dynamics

• The collaboration process is described as highly productive; they recorded eight songs in just one hour by building off each other's ideas seamlessly.

Time Constraints in Creativity

• A memorable moment occurs when time becomes an issue during recording; Snoop Dogg humorously addresses this while creating music spontaneously based on Sheila's comments.

Personal Choices and Substance Use

Avoiding Substances

• Sheila shares her personal stance against smoking or using drugs despite being surrounded by musicians who often do so. She recounts feeling paranoid after trying it once at 15 years old.

Family Influence on Choices

• Reflecting on her upbringing, she notes how family experiences shaped her views on substance use, particularly after losing relatives due to addiction issues.

Musical Influences and Collaborations

Favorite Artists

• When asked about her favorite artists to work with, Sheila acknowledges Marvin Gaye as significant but emphasizes the difficulty of choosing among many talented individuals she has collaborated with throughout her career.

Marvin Gaye and Band Dynamics

Experience Playing with Marvin Gaye

• The speaker recalls a memorable moment playing music with their brother and cousin, expressing excitement about performing alongside Marvin Gaye. They reflect on the joy of dancing and the nostalgic connection to his music.

• During the performance, the speaker improvises by hitting an extra drumbeat, which is against the expected norms of playing. This act leads to a tense moment when Marvin Gaye reacts unexpectedly.

• Marvin Gaye turns around and calls out someone for playing an extra beat, causing fear in the speaker who feels exposed. The atmosphere becomes intense as they worry about being singled out.

• The speaker's brother apologizes to Marvin Gaye for the mistake, showcasing respect for authority in a musical setting. The interaction highlights their admiration for him.

Relationships and Jealousy in Music

• A question arises regarding jealousy from other women due to close ties with Prince. The speaker reflects on past relationships and dynamics within the band context.

• The speaker mentions that there was tension stemming from Prince's relationship with another woman, Wendy’s sister, which contributed to personal complications during their time together.

• Despite assumptions from others about jealousy or rivalry when they were together, the speaker claims not to have paid much attention until after their breakup.

Personal Insights on Relationships

• The conversation shifts towards personal life choices; the speaker emphasizes that they are focused on music rather than romantic pursuits at this stage in life.

• When asked about expensive purchases, they humorously mention wanting a private jet lunch in Paris but clarify that material wealth isn't what drives them; instead, they seek genuine connections based on respect and honesty.