Sheila E. says it was ‘time to stand for something’
The last couple of years, while working on two different albums, singer-percussionist Sheila E. realized she had to shift gears.
One of the albums was a dance record; the other was an album she felt compelled to make after longtime friend Prince died in 2016.
“I was doing the dance record, and it was just about done,” she says. “It was fun, and I wanted to get it out. And then Prince passed away. I just shut down and started writing another record after his passing.”
Juggling those projects while watching the political climate, Sheila E., 59, figured “it was time to stand for something.”
In response to what she calls a presidential administration of “lies, discrimination, prejudice and institutionalized supremacy,” Sheila E. has released “Iconic: Message 4 America,” in which she reimagines a number of classics by the likes of Marvin Gaye, the Beatles and Parliament-Funkadelic.
She hopes the songs work as a force of positive change. The set includes “Come Together” featuring Ringo Starr, “Everyday People” featuring Freddie Stone, “Jesus Children of America” featuring Israel Houghton, “JB Medley” featuring Bootsy Collins and “One Nation Under a Groove”/”Mothership Connection” featuring George Clinton.
“I needed to get a record out now,” she says. “I asked myself, ‘How can I get this done?’ I began listening to music from the ‘60s and ‘70s — songs that are still relevant.”
Rather than call what she has released an album of covers, she believes it makes a statement. “These songs were important to me growing up and are important to me now. Lyrically, this is what I have to say, though I changed a few words here and there.”
The album is notable: It’s the first time Sheila E. has appeared on the Billboard charts in 26 years.