Selena

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, known simply as Selena, was an American singer who rose to prominence as the "Queen of Tejano Music" in the late 20th century. Born on April 16, 1971, Selena became one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers, renowned for her contributions to music and fashion.


As the youngest member of the Quintanilla family, Selena debuted in the music industry as part of the band Selena y Los Dinos, alongside her siblings A.B. Quintanilla and Suzette Quintanilla. In the 1980s, Selena faced criticism and discrimination for performing Tejano music, a genre dominated by males. However, her talent and perseverance led to increasing popularity, especially after winning the Tejano Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year in 1987, which she won nine times consecutively.


Signing with EMI Latin in 1989, Selena released her self-titled debut album, with her brother A.B. Quintanilla as her principal music producer and songwriter. Her album "Entre a Mi Mundo" (1992) achieved significant commercial success, with the single "Como la Flor" becoming one of her signature songs. "Live!" (1993) earned her a Grammy Award for Best Mexican/American Album in 1994, marking a milestone for female Tejano artists.


In 1994, Selena released "Amor Prohibido," which became one of the best-selling Latin albums in the United States, solidifying Tejano music's popularity. Tragically, Selena's life was cut short when she was shot and killed by her friend and former manager, Yolanda Saldívar, on March 31, 1995. The incident shocked fans worldwide, and Selena's legacy continued to grow posthumously.


Her crossover album "Dreaming of You" (1995) debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 chart, making her the first Latin artist to achieve this milestone. Selena's life story was immortalized in the 1997 biographical film "Selena," starring Jennifer Lopez, and later in the 2020 Netflix series "Selena: The Series," featuring Christian Serratos.


Despite her untimely death, Selena's influence on Latin music and culture remains profound. With approximately 18 million records sold worldwide, Selena continues to be regarded as one of the best-selling female artists in Latin music history, leaving an indelible mark on the industry and inspiring generations of artists to come.


Selena Quintanilla, born on April 16, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Texas, was the youngest child of Marcella Ofelia Quintanilla and Abraham Quintanilla Jr. Raised in a musically inclined family, Selena's talents were recognized early by her father, who noticed her perfect timing and pitch from a young age. The family faced financial difficulties, including bankruptcy and eviction, leading them to settle in Corpus Christi, Texas.


Abraham Quintanilla Jr., Selena's father, became the manager of the family band, Selena y Los Dinos, which also included her siblings Abraham III and Suzette. They performed at various events to make ends meet, including street corners, weddings, and fairs.


As Selena's career blossomed, she encountered challenges balancing her education with her growing music commitments. She left school in the eighth grade, drawing criticism from some educators who disapproved of her career path. Despite these challenges, Selena earned her high school diploma through correspondence courses and pursued business administration at Pacific Western University.


The family's touring lifestyle was marked by financial struggles, with the refurbished tour bus serving as their primary mode of transportation. In 1984, Selena recorded her first LP record, predominantly featuring Tejano music compositions, a genre influenced by Spanish and German music traditions.


Despite facing skepticism from promoters and venues due to her age and gender in a male-dominated industry, Selena's talent and determination propelled her forward. She appeared on influential platforms like the Johnny Canales Show and won the Female Vocalist of the Year award at the Tejano Music Awards for nine consecutive years.


By 1988, Selena had released several LP records, each contributing to her growing popularity and recognition within the Tejano music scene. Despite the initial obstacles, Selena's passion for music and her father's guidance paved the way for her remarkable success as a groundbreaking artist in the Latin music industry.


Selena Quintanilla's rise to fame and success was marked by pivotal moments and collaborations that shaped her career and solidified her status as a groundbreaking artist in the Latin music industry.


In 1989, José Behar of EMI Latin Records and the head of Sony Music Latin recognized Selena's talent at the Tejano Music Awards and vied to sign her to their respective labels. Despite Sony Music Latin's higher offer, Selena's father, Abraham Quintanilla Jr., chose EMI Latin's offer, envisioning the potential for a crossover album and aiming for his children to be the first musicians signed to the label.


Selena's self-titled debut album, released in October 1989, showcased her musical versatility and featured tracks recorded in both English and Spanish. Despite initial doubts about her crossover potential, the album peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Regional Mexican Albums chart, marking Selena's entry onto a national music chart and outperforming recordings by other female Tejano singers.


The following year, Selena's collaboration with Coca-Cola and the release of her second studio album, "Ven Conmigo," further solidified her popularity. The album featured hit singles like "Baila Esta Cumbia," which became one of Selena's most successful songs and contributed to her growing acclaim, particularly in Mexico.


Amidst her rising career, Selena's personal life also garnered attention, notably her relationship with guitarist Chris Pérez, which began to blossom despite initial complications. Meanwhile, the formation of her fan club in San Antonio, led by Yolanda Saldívar, highlighted Selena's growing influence and dedicated fan base.


The release of the duet "Buenos Amigos" with Álvaro Torres in 1991 marked a significant milestone in Selena's career, earning her first number-one single on the US Billboard Top Latin Songs chart and expanding her fan base beyond regional Mexican and Tejano radio stations.
Overall, these pivotal moments in Selena's career reflected her musical versatility, cultural impact, and enduring popularity, setting the stage for her continued success and legacy as one of the most influential figures in Latin music.

References

1.  "Selena Seaside Memorial Park obituary". Retrieved March 18, 2022.
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3. ^ Ramirez, Sonia (October 26, 2020). "Selena comes in at No. 3 on Billboard's". Chron. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
4. a b Martin, Dale (July 16, 1999). "Selena Album Goes Mainstream". The Victoria Advocate. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
5. a b c d e f Howe Verhovek, Sam (April 1, 1995). "Grammy Winning Singer Selena Killed in Shooting at Texas Motel". The New York Times. p. 1.
6. a b "Selena Murder Trial Begins Monday". MTV News. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
7. ^ Palomares, Sugey. "Hispanic Icons: Selena". Rhapsody.com. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
8. a b Flores, Daniel (March 28, 2015). "Selena's Legacy: Queen of Tejano still reigns". Valley Star News. Archived from the original on April 29, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2015.