Sheila E. – HuffPost 5.18.11

Mike Ragogna: What advice do you have for new artists?

Sheila E.: The advice that I have basically is to be true to yourself. Be honest and search for what you want to be. As a new artist, sometimes, you’re not really sure, and then you end up changing your direction based upon what you go through in life experiences. You start changing the music you want to sing, you want to write, you want to perform. Beyond time, be very respectful. I think the best attitude is gratitude.

MR: Seriously.

SE: Seriously. There are so many new artists that I hear about that have such an attitude and thinking that this is the way it’s supposed to be, to disrespect people in so many different ways. It’s not even worth it. Longevity is going to be based on the experience that you’ve had in your career based on how you treat people, and your musicianship, and what you do. So, I think definitely treat people how you want to be treated and enjoy it. But you’re going to have to work really, really hard, especially because the industry has changed so much. There are not that many record companies, but there are a lot of opportunities to get music out now, and so many people right now have their own studios in their homes or know someone that does. It’s easy to sell your CDs online as well as your music, you know, singles, but you really have to work hard, you have to know how to market yourself. Get a good team. It takes a team. It’s not going to be just you that’s going to do it, you can’t do it by yourself. You’ve got to have a great team.

MR: And that circles right back to how you started in this, meeting Prince, his then having protégés and artists he developed.

SE: Yes.

MR: I imagine Prince is someone who still is supportive of new artists

SE: He is very supportive of new artists. When I first met him in 1978, I hadn’t changed my name yet. Sheila Escovedo is my real name. When I went to see him for the first time perform in San Francisco, I walked up to him and he saw me coming and he turned around and I put my hand out to introduce myself. I said, “Hi, my name is…,” and he said, “I already know who you are.” I said, “Really?” and I was kind of shocked and thrown back because I had no idea. He said, “Yeah, I’ve been following your career for a while, and I’ve been watching you perform with George Duke, watching you on television shows, and watching you play percussion and drums.” So, he was already into my career, which was great. I had no idea. I’d played with so many different artists up to that point. When he hears new music that he really enjoys and new artists that are really trying to make a way and they have that passion, I think all of us are behind new artists that want to do that. We’re rooting for them. It’s not a competition. It’s more like a celebration of music.