Editing Sheila E. (section)

===1984–1992: ''The Glamorous Life'' and career breakthrough===
[[file:Sheila E. 1985.jpg|thumb|upright|Sheila E. in 1985]]
In early 1984, Escovedo signed a record deal with [[Warner Bros. Records]] and adopted the stage name '''Sheila E. ''' She began recording her first solo album with singer and musician [[Prince (musician)|Prince]], whom she met at a concert when she was performing with her father in 1977. On June 4, 1984, she released her debut solo album ''[[The Glamorous Life (album)|The Glamorous Life]]''. The album peaked at number 28 on the U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and sold over 500,000 copies in the United States,<ref name="billboardchart">[https://www.billboard.com/artist/sheila-e/ Sheila E. Billboard Chart History]. Billboard. Retrieved on February 21, 2025</ref> becoming certified [[RIAA certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA).<ref name="riaa">{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=Sheila+E.#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum – RIAA|website=Riaa.com|access-date=October 13, 2019}}</ref> The album's lead single "[[The Glamorous Life]]" peaked in the top-ten on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]] and at number one on the US [[Dance Club Songs|Dance]] chart.<ref name="billboardchart"/> The album's second single, "[[The Belle of St. Mark]]", became a moderate hit, peaking at number 34 on the Hot 100.<ref name="billboardchart"/> The song also became ''[[NME]]'''s "Single of the Week".<ref name="Parsons">[[Tony Parsons (British journalist)|Parsons, Tony]] (1978) "Single of the Week", ''[[NME]]'', February 2, 1985, p. 14</ref> The album earned four nominations at the [[27th Annual Grammy Awards]] including [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]], [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance|Best R&B Instrumental Performance]] for "Strawberry Shortcake", and [[Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance|Best Female Pop Vocal Performance]] as well as [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Song|Best R&B Song]] for "The Glamorous Life".<ref name="grammy">[https://www.grammy.com/artists/sheila-e/2014 Sheila E. Grammy Awards and Nominations]. Grammy.com. Retrieved on February 21, 2025</ref> She also performed "[[Baby I'm a Star]]" with Prince during the ceremony. In July 1984, she appeared on Prince's song "[[Erotic City]]". In November 1984, Sheila began touring as the opening act of [[Purple Rain Tour]]. Shortly after the tour, she signed with Prince's record label [[Paisley Park Records]].

In March 1985, she appeared on the [[USA for Africa]]'s song ''[[We Are the World]]''. Sheila released her second album ''[[Romance 1600]]'' on August 26, 1985.<ref name="riaa"/> It sold over 500,000 copies in the United States, becoming certified [[RIAA certification|gold]] by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).<ref name="riaa"/> The album's lead single "[[Sister Fate]]" was released to moderated success, peaking in the top-forty on the US [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B]] chart.<ref name="billboardchart"/> The second single [[A Love Bizarre]]" was a commercial success, reaching number eleven in the United States.<ref name="billboardchart"/> In November 1985, Sheila appeared as the female lead in the [[musical film|musical]] [[comedy-drama]] film ''[[Krush Groove]]'', which spent its first weekend at number two on the U.S. box office and grossed $11 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=krushgroove.htm|title=Krush Groove (1985) – Box Office Mojo|website=www.boxofficemojo.com|access-date=22 November 2017}}</ref> Sheila released "[[Holly Rock]]" as a single from its [[Krush Groove#soundtrack|soundtrack album]] which entered the top ten in the Belgium and the Netherlands.

On February 24, 1987, Sheila released her [[Sheila E. (album)|eponymous third studio album]]. The album featured the single "[[Hold Me (Sheila E. song)|Hold Me]]", a R&B ballad that peaked at number three on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B chart]].<ref name="billboardchart"/> The second single "Koo Koo" peaked in the top forty of the R&B chart. In June 1987, Sheila served as the musical director for Prince's [[Sign o' the Times (film)|Sign o' the Times Tour]]. She also served as musical director during his Lovesexy Tour in 1988 and 1989. On April 10, 1991, she released her fourth album ''[[Sex Cymbal]]''. The album's lead single "[[Sex Cymbal (song)|Sex Cymbal]]" became a moderate hit on the R&B chart, peaking at number thirty-two.<ref name="billboardchart"/>