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Sheila E. is on cloud nine after winning her first GRAMMY. The living legend and Queen of percussion won in the Best Global Music Performance category for “Bemba Colorá,” her collaboration with Gloria Estefan and Mimy Succar from her first salsa album, Bailar. The win comes 40 years after her first nomination in 1985 for her hit 'Glamorous Life.'
The Afro-Latina has been enjoying the praise and recognition, with one special shoutout coming from another icon in entertainment - Eva Mendes. On Tuesday, the actress-turned-sponge entrepreneur shared a video of Sheila performing an epic drum solo with a sweet message, “The BADDEST, the BEST,” she wrote in the caption.
Sheila, our April digital cover star, has played with Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Ringo Starr, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey, to name a few. She is also the first female solo percussionist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The percussionist became a household name in 1984 through her work with Prince and has inspired many, including Mendes. “You’re such an inspiration to SO many. I can remember seeing you when I was younger and the impact you had on little me and now the impact you have on big me,” Mendes wrote in the caption. “Your talent is unparalleled, Your beauty is out of this world. Te adoro.”
The performance Mendes shared is from the Grand Final Result Show from America’s Got Talent Fantasy.
What Sheila said after her win
When Sheila E. took the stage to win her award, she encouraged viewers to never give up on their dreams. "I'm truly honored to receive this award. The very first time I was nominated was 40 years ago today in 1985. Just know that it's never too late to keep doing and dreaming," she told the audience.
Sheila E. also shared a message about diversity, and how her music wouldn't exist without different cultures. "This album was almost impossible to make, but just to explain to you real quickly, this kind of music can’t exist without diversity. People from Venezuela, Peru, Japan, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico—the flavor, the sauce, from New Orleans to Oakland, Oaktown," she continued.