Remembering Latin Music Icon Selena Quintanilla-Prez on Her 27

It’s been 27 years since Selena Quintanilla-Prez was tragically killed, but her memory and music live on. Here’s a look back at her life and career.

Introduction

It’s been 27 years since the untimely death of Latin music icon Selena Quintanilla-Prez, but her influence is still felt today.

Born in 1971 in Lake Jackson, Texas, Selena was the youngest child of Mexican-American parents Abraham and Marcella Quintanilla. She began performing with her siblings at a young age, and by the 1980s, the family had formed a band called Selena y Los Dinos.

The group found success in the Tejano music scene, and Selena quickly became a star. In 1987, she released her first album, “Ven Conmigo” (“Come with Me”), which went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Mexican-American Performance.

Selena’s popularity continued to grow in the early 1990s, and she crossed over into the mainstream with her album “Dreaming of You” (1992). The album topped the Billboard 200 chart, making Selena the first Latin artist to have an album enter at No. 1 on the chart.

Tragically, Selena was shot and killed by her fan club president Yolanda Saldvar in 1995. She was just 23 years old.

In 1997, a film about Selena’s life was released starring Jennifer Lopez in the title role. The film was a huge success, grossing over $60 million at the box office.

Today, Selena’s legacy continues to live on through her music. Her posthumous album “Dreaming of You” was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and has sold over five million copies in the United States. In 2017, she was inducted into the Smithsonian Institution as part of an exhibit on American Latino music.

Early Life and Career

Selena Quintanilla was born on April 16, 1971 in Lake Jackson, Texas, a coastal town about an hour south of Houston. She was the youngest child of Marcella Ofelia Quintanilla (née Samora) and Abraham Quintanilla, Jr., and had two older siblings: a sister, Suzette, and a brother, A.B.

Selena’s musical roots

Though Selena is often thought of as a Tejano artist, she actually got her start in music singing Christian songs with her family band, Selena y Los Dinos. The group recorded its first album in 1984, and released many more throughout Selena’s career. In the late ’80s, they began to cross over into the mainstream Mexican market. It was around this time that Selena began to emerge as a solo star. She released her first album, entitled “Selena,” in 1989.

While Selena’s musical career was taking off, she also began to gain recognition for her beauty. In 1990, she was named “Miss Congeniality” at the Tea Towel Awards (now known as the Latin Grammy Awards). She went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Mexican-American Album for “Selena Live!” in 1994.

Sadly, Selena’s life was cut short in 1995 when she was murdered by Yolanda Saldívar, the president of her fan club. She was only 23 years old.

Selena’s big break

In 1990, Selena was signed by EMI Latin to a recording contract after winning a Tejano music competition. She released her debut album, Selena, in 1991 and her second album, Ven Conmigo, in 1992. Her third album, Entre a Mi Mundo, was released in 1993 and featured her first number-one hit single, “Como La Flor”. Selena’s fourth album, Amor Prohibido, was released in 1994 and became the best-selling Latin album of the year.

Selena’s Legacy

It has been 27 years since the world lost Selena Quintanilla-Prez, but her music and legacy continues to live on. Selena was a Mexican-American singer who achieved mainstream success in the early 1990s. She was known for her catchy pop tunes and Latino-infused dance beats. Selena was tragically murdered at the age of 23, but her music has continued to inspire and bring joy to fans around the world.

Selena’s influence on Latin music

On April 16, 1995, Tejano music superstar Selena Quintanilla-Prez was gunned down by Yolanda Saldívar, her former fan club president and manager of Selena’s boutique. Selena was only 23 years old when she was killed, but in her short career, she had become one of the most successful Latin artists in the United States.

Born in Lake Jackson, Texas, Selena began performing with her family’s band, Los Dinos, when she was just a child. In the 1980s and early ’90s, she rose to fame in the growing Tejano music scene. With her powerful voice and style inspired by Mexican ranchera singer Chalino Sánchez, Selena became one of the genre’s most popular performers. She also crossed over into the mainstream pop world with hits like “Como La Flor” and “Amor Prohibido.”

Selena’s untimely death sent shockwaves through the Latin music community and beyond. Her music continues to inspire new generations of artists, and her legacy as a groundbreaking musician and fashion icon is firmly cemented.

Selena’s influence on fashion

fashion. She was always dolled up in the latest trends and her fans wanted to dress just like her. Her style was a mix of traditional Tejano clothing with a modern twist. Selena’s signature style included fitted jeans, crop tops, and colorful dresses. She was not afraid to experiment with her look and she inspired others to do the same.

Selena’s style was influential in the ’90s and it is still popular today. There are many fashion bloggers and designers who have been inspired by her unique sense of style. Selena’s fashion legacy continues to live on through the generations of Latinas who admire her.

Conclusion

It’s been 27 years since Selena Quintanilla-Prez was tragically killed, but her influence on Latin music — and the world — is still felt today. She was a pioneer in the crossover of regional Mexican music into the mainstream, and her energy and charisma were undeniable. Though she was taken from us too soon, her legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists.