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Who Was Selena Quintanilla?
Selena Quintanilla, often referred to simply as Selena, was a groundbreaking artist who rose to prominence in the 1980s, becoming a best-selling sensation in the Latin music industry. Her albums, such as Amor Prohibido and Live!, were critical and commercial successes, with the latter earning her the Grammy Award for Best Mexican-American Album in 1994. This achievement made her the first female Tejano artist to win the prestigious award. Tragically, Selena’s life was cut short in March 1995, when she was murdered by the president of her fan club and business associate, just before her 24th birthday. Despite this devastating loss, her legacy continued to grow. Later that year, her album Dreaming of You was released posthumously, making history as the first predominantly Spanish-language album to top the Billboard 200 chart. In 1997, Selena’s life story was brought to the big screen with Jennifer Lopez portraying her in a critically acclaimed biopic.
Early Life and Family
Selena was born on April 16, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Texas, to Abraham Quintanilla Jr. and Marcella Ofelia Samora. Abraham, a former musician, managed and nurtured Selena’s talents from a young age, while Marcella was a homemaker. Selena grew up as the youngest of three children. Her father, recognizing her potential to connect with the Latino community, taught her to sing in Spanish, even though Selena’s first language was English. She initially learned the Spanish lyrics phonetically but eventually became fluent in the language.
At the age of 10, Selena became the lead vocalist for her family’s band, Selena Y Los Dinos. The group began performing at weddings, clubs, and other venues throughout Texas, with Selena’s father managing the band and her siblings, A.B. on bass guitar and Suzette on drums, playing integral roles. Their unique sound, a fusion of Mexican music with country and western influences, would come to define the Tejano music genre.
Selena y Los Dinos Albums
As Selena Y Los Dinos, the Quintanilla family recorded seven albums under various independent labels. Their music, largely produced by Tejano music specialist Manny Guerra of G.P. Productions, began gaining recognition with albums like Alpha and Dulce Amor, the latter featuring original compositions by her brother, A.B. Quintanilla. These albums solidified Selena’s status as a rising star in the Latin music world.
The seven albums recorded by Selena Y Los Dinos are:
- Mis Primeras Grabaciones (1984)
- The New Girl In Town (1985)
- Alpha (1986)
- Muñequito de Trapo (1986)
- And the Winner Is… (1987)
- Preciosa (1988)
- Dulce Amor (1988)
These early recordings laid the foundation for Selena’s future success, and they remain a testament to her immense talent and lasting influence in Latin music.
Solo Career: Albums, Songs, and Grammy
In 1989, Selena caught the attention of music executive José Behar at the Tejano Music Awards. Behar, who had just launched the Latin division of EMI Records, quickly signed Selena as a solo artist to the EMI label. Later that year, she released her debut self-titled album, with much of her music being written and produced by her brother, A.B. Quintanilla, who would go on to form the Kumbia Kings and Kumbia All Starz.
From 1989 to 1995, Selena released five studio albums and one live album, including Selena (1989), Ven Conmigo (1990), Entre a Mi Mundo (1992), Live! (1993), Amor Prohibido (1994), and Dreaming of You (1995). In 2022, Selena’s family released Moonchild Mixes, a new album featuring previously unreleased recordings, keeping her legacy alive. With over 65 million albums sold, Selena remains one of the best-selling female Latin artists of all time and is widely known as the “Queen of Tejano.”
Notable Albums:
- Selena (1989)
- Ven Conmigo (1990)
- Entre a Mi Mundo (1992)
- Live! (1993)
- Amor Prohibido (1994)
- Dreaming of You (1995)
- Moonchild Mixes (2022)
Compilation albums such as 12 Super Exitos (1994) and All My Hits Todos Mis Exitos (1999) have also contributed to the ongoing celebration of her musical legacy.
Popular Songs
Selena achieved great success on the Billboard charts, with seven of her songs reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. Among her most celebrated tracks are “Tu Solo Tu,” which topped the chart for 10 weeks, and “Amor Prohibido,” which held No. 1 for nine weeks. Other No. 1 hits include “No Me Queda Mas,” “Fotos Y Recuerdos,” and the fan-favorite “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom.”
Her crossover hit “Dreaming of You” reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it one of her most iconic songs. Other notable tracks include “Como La Flor,” “Baila Esta Cumbia,” “La Carcacha,” “El Chico del Apartamento 512,” “I Could Fall In Love,” and “Siempre Hace Frio.”
Grammy and Other Awards
Selena’s rise to fame began at the 1987 Tejano Music Awards, where she won Best Female Vocalist of the Year and Performer of the Year, earning her the nickname “Mexican Madonna” for her dynamic stage presence and fashionable outfits. Her appeal soon transcended Tejano music, and in 1993, she won a Grammy Award for Best Mexican-American Album for Live!. In 2021, she was posthumously honored with the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award, cementing her legacy in music history.
Latin Music Icon: Spokesperson, Boutique Owner, and Actor
Selena’s influence extended beyond music. In 1989, she became a spokesperson for Coca-Cola, marking a significant moment in marketing as the brand targeted a specific demographic with her endorsements.
In 1994, Selena launched her entrepreneurial venture by opening two boutiques called Selena Etc., which sold her signature clothing and jewelry. The stores were located in San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Texas, reflecting her broadening appeal and brand.
Additionally, Selena briefly pursued acting, appearing as a mariachi singer in the 1995 film Don Juan DeMarco, starring alongside Johnny Depp. Despite her untimely passing, Selena’s multifaceted career as a singer, entrepreneur, and cultural icon continues to inspire new generations.
Husband
Selena married Chris Pérez on April 2, 1992. The couple met in 1990 when Pérez joined Selena’s band as the lead guitarist, and they began dating secretly. Their marriage lasted nearly three years before Selena’s untimely death in 1995. In 2012, Pérez wrote a memoir titled To Selena, With Love, detailing his time with her. He later planned to adapt the book into a TV series. However, in 2016, Selena’s father, Abraham Quintanilla, filed a lawsuit against Pérez, claiming that he had violated an estate agreement signed after Selena’s death. This agreement granted Abraham exclusive rights to Selena’s name, voice, photos, and story. Pérez lost his appeal in 2018, and the lawsuit was dismissed in May 2019 by mutual agreement.
Death: Murder Details and Killer
Selena was tragically murdered on March 31, 1995, by Yolanda Saldívar in Corpus Christi, Texas. At just 23 years old, Selena’s death shocked the Latino community and devastated her fans worldwide. Saldívar, a former nurse and the president of Selena’s fan club, also managed her boutique. Their meeting at a hotel in Corpus Christi was to address Selena’s concerns over Saldívar’s embezzlement of funds. During the meeting, Saldívar shot Selena. Later that day, Saldívar surrendered to the police.
In October 1995, Saldívar claimed the shooting was accidental, but she was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Currently, Saldívar is serving her sentence in a maximum-security facility near Dallas. She is eligible for parole in 2025, marking 30 years since Selena’s death.
Movie and Netflix Series
Selena’s life became the focus of the 1997 film Selena, starring Jennifer Lopez as the iconic singer and Edward James Olmos as her father. Lopez made history as the first Latina actress to earn $1 million for a movie role and received a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal. In April 2022, to commemorate the film’s 25th anniversary, Selena was re-released in theaters.
In 2020, Netflix released Selena: The Series, a scripted show chronicling her life, with the Quintanilla family serving as executive producers. The series starred Christian Serratos and premiered in December of that year.
Legacy
Selena’s influence continues to resonate globally. Just two weeks after her death, then–Texas Governor George W. Bush declared April 16th, her birthday, “Selena Day.”
In 1998, the Quintanilla family opened the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi, Texas. The museum features her personal items, including her wardrobe, awards, and memorabilia, along with a recreation of her recording studio, her red Porsche, and her tour bus.
Selena was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017. In the same year, reality star Kim Kardashian paid tribute to Selena by dressing as her for Halloween. In 2020, Selena became the first Latina artist and the ninth person overall to be inducted into the Star Trail of Fame at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
The 25th anniversary of Selena’s passing in 2020 saw renewed celebrations of her legacy. Artists like Kacey Musgraves and Camila Cabello performed tributes, and MAC Cosmetics released a limited-edition “MAC Cosmetics x Selena La Reina” collection, including Selena’s signature red lipstick. Their earlier collection in 2016 had sold out within minutes.
Selena was also recognized for her style. In 2022, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History added her black leather jacket and satin bustier, worn at the 1994 Tejano Music Awards, to their “Entertainment Nation”/“Nación del espectáculo” exhibit, solidifying her place as a cultural and musical icon.