Sheila E., recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by DW, presented by Roland, has been musical royalty all her life. Born into the Escovedo family percussion legacy, she burst into the mainstream in 1984 with her seminal LP, The Glamourous Life, and Grammy nominations and accolades followed. With musical expression at the center of her focus, Sheila E. has inspired percussionists worldwide during her storied six-decade career. Learn about the legendary artist’s background, powerhouse collaborations, and career highlights.
Latin Rhythms Go Mainstream
The daughter of percussionist Pete Escovedo, Sheila E. grew up in a musical lineage that spans jazz, punk, and rock. That heritage shaped her career early on when she and her father released Solo Two, which led to collaborations with Marvin Gaye, Herbie Hancock, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and George Duke.
As a solo artist and a frequent collaborator of Prince, Sheila E. became renowned for her expressive rhythms behind her front-stage timbales. Latin rhythms remain a cornerstone of Sheila’s sound throughout every stage of her successful career. For example, cowbells and timbale cascara are layered prominently into the driving rhythms of the title track of A Glamorous Life, as well as her 1985 hit single featuring Prince, “A Love Bizarre.”
"Cowbells and timbale cascara are layered prominently into the driving rhythms of the title track of A Glamorous Life , as well as her 1985 hit single featuring Prince, 'A Love Bizarre.'"
From Centerstage to Studio and Beyond
A DW Drums artist since the mid-1990s, Sheila continues to inspire percussionists all over the globe with her signature driving and grand rhythms behind her DW Collector’s Series drums. The expanded creative palette has seen Sheila E. go on to record and perform with names like Hans Zimmer, Pharrell, Kelly Clarkson, Gary Clark Jr, and others.
Still, she keeps her Latin legacy close, and her 2024 release, Bailar, marks a return to her Latin roots. This Grammy-nominated album features a diverse collection of legendary Latin artists, including Gloria Estefan, Ruben Blades, and Gilberto Santa Rosa. Notably, Sheila performs a groundbreaking rumba conga solo and a syncopated drum solo on the album’s steaming version of Celia Cruz’s “Bemba Colorá,” highlighting her generational rhythmic skills.
"Bailar marks a return to her Latin roots. This Grammy-nominated album features a diverse collection of legendary Latin artists, including Gloria Estefan, Ruben Blades, and Gilberto Santa Rosa."
The Coronation Complete
After seven decades of performing, Sheila E. received a Lifetime Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021 and became the sole female percussionist on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023. DW Drums and Roland are honored to pay tribute to “The Queen of Percussion” for her remarkable career in Latin and popular music with a Lifetime Achievement Award by DW, presented by Roland.
"Sheila E. received a Lifetime Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021 and became the sole female percussionist on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023."
“I am incredibly grateful to be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by DW, presented by Roland,” Sheila E. says. “It’s a recognition of not just my contributions to music, but also our enduring partnership that has continually inspired innovation. I’m thankful to DW for their support and for championing high standards in the music industry.”
