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Entertainment September 27, 2017
The Queen of Tejano lives on.
Photo via Twitter / @trippydxlanSelena Quintanilla is a musical genius that was praised by the Latin community and, eventually, the world.
Her career was cut short, however, when she was killed at 23. But even after her death, Selena Quintanilla’s name and music live on.
To honor Selena’s life and legacy, here’s everything you need to know about the legendary singer.
Selena Quintanilla was born on April 16, 1971 in Lake Jackson, Texas. She was a Mexican-American singer, songwriter, spokesperson, model, actress and fashion designer.
Selena started her singing career at the age of 10, when she became the lead singer in her family’s band, Selena y Los Dinos. The musical group played at weddings and clubs in their hometown. The band featured her brother Abraham on bass guitar and her sister Suzette on the drums.
Selena Quintanilla grew up speaking English, but her father, Abraham, taught her how to speak and sing in Spanish to connect with the Latin community and her Mexican roots. To this day, Selena is considered the “Queen of Tejano,” a type of Mexican music that incorporates other styles, such as country music.
At the 1987 Tejano Music Awards, she won both “Best Female Vocalist of the Year” and “Performer of the Year.” Her 1990 album, “Ven Conmigo,” was the first Tejano record to achieve gold record status.
Selena Quintanilla secretly married her first boyfriend, Chris Pérez, at the age of 21.
They eloped because her father did not approve of Chris. She was afraid that if she told her family about the wedding, her dad would try to stop it.
In 2012, Chris wrote “To Selena, With Love,” a book that described their life together before her tragic death.
Selena’s music will forever live on, especially the songs that brought her to the top.
Her most popular songs include “Como la Flor” (1992), “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” (1994), “Amor Prohibido” (1994), “Dreaming of You” (1995) and “La Carcacha” (1992).
Selena accomplished so much before her life was taken. By 1995, she had over 50 awards, including a Grammy and Billboard Music Awards.
Selena Quintana was shot on March 31, 1995 by the president and manager of her boutiques and fan club, Yolanda Saldivar.
Prior to the shooting, Selena’s father father found out Saldivar had embezzled thousands of dollars from the club, so she was fired. On the day of the murder, Selena met Saldivar at a hotel to discuss the money that was missing. Saldivar showed up with a gun and shot Selena in the shoulder and severed an artery. Although the doctors tried to revive her, she was pronounced dead due to loss of blood and cardiac arrest.
Thousands mourned the death of the legendary Selena by attending a public viewing at the convention center in Corpus Christi, Texas.
What happened to her family after her death?
Her father, Abraham Quintanilla Jr., dedicated his life to protecting his daughter’s legacy by being involved in documentaries, albums, movies, fashion lines and tributes dedicated to her. Selena’s mother, Marcella Quintanilla, is also trying to keep her daughter’s name alive. She founded “The Selena Foundation,” which helps kids in crisis.
As for her siblings, they’re honoring Selena as well. Her sister, Suzette, is the manager of Selena’s museum in Texas, and manages the family’s music production company, Q-Productions. Lastly, her brother Abraham resurfaced with his own group, Kumbia Kings. Their music is a blend of cumbia, pop and R&B.
Then, in 1997, the film “Selena” was released, showcasing important moments in her life before her murder.
The film stars Jennifer Lopez as Selena and James Edward Olmos as her father Abraham. Gregory Nava directed the film and produced it with the family’s full cooperation.
They showed Selena’s life way back when the Quintanilla children formed a band. It highlights her personal and professional life, from her family to her concerts and awards.
The world misses your music and positive impact, Selena. But your name lives on through the lives of the people you’ve touched.
