Beyoncé has officially joined forces with Selena Quintanilla for a collaboration few fans could have imagined happening more than three decades after the Tejano superstar’s death.
The new song, “Irreemplazable (Como La Flor),” appears on Beyoncé’s newly released B’Day (20th Anniversary Edition). The expanded project celebrates 20 years since her second solo album and includes 31 tracks, with previously unreleased recordings, B-sides, Spanish-language material and new collaborations.
© FilmMagicBut the Selena duet comes with a particularly meaningful history. Selena, who died in 1995 at age 23, can be heard singing on “Irreemplazable (Como La Flor)” thanks to previously released Selena vocals with Beyoncé’s music. The track brings together Beyoncé’s Spanish-language version of “Irreplaceable” and Selena’s 1992 classic “Como La Flor.”
It also required approval from Selena Quintanilla’s estate.
How Beyoncé’s Selena Quintanilla duet happened
According to a statement from Parkwood Entertainment, Selena’s estate authorized the use of her music for the collaboration. Parkwood called the estate’s approval a key part of making the duet possible and described the pairing as “Two women from Texas. Two unmistakable and irreplaceable voices.”
The Selena Quintanilla’s estate shared: "This resounding approval for Beyoncé from Selena Quintanilla’s estate made it possible for this timely and meaningful duet. Two women from Texas. Two unmistakable and irreplaceable voices that broke down and continue to break down barriers."
© Getty Images
© Getty Images
Adding: "Beyoncé revered Selena and remembers listening to her on the radio in Houston. She credits her for inspiring the recording of Irreemplazable, her Spanish EP released in 2007.
Irreemplazable (Como La Flor) featuring Selena by Beyoncé is now streaming on all music platforms."
Beyoncé was born and raised in Houston, while Selena became one of Texas’ most influential Mexican American performers as the frontwoman of Selena y Los Dinos. Long before Beyoncé became a global superstar, she was listening to Selena on Texas radio.
In fact, Beyoncé actually met Selena.
Beyoncé met Selena before she was famous
Years ago, Beyoncé revealed that she crossed paths with Selena at The Galleria shopping mall in Houston when Beyoncé was still a young aspiring performer. “I did actually meet Selena in The Galleria mall in Houston,” Beyoncé recalled in an MTV Tr3s interview. She explained that she simply said hello because she was not famous at the time.
© WireImageThe meeting was eventually recreated in Netflix’s Selena: The Series, which depicted a young Beyoncé spotting Selena while shopping with her family. Beyoncé’s own recollection confirms that the basic encounter really happened.
Her connection to Selena did not end at the mall.
Selena influenced Beyoncé’s Spanish-language music
Beyoncé has openly credited Selena with influencing her approach to singing in Spanish. “Definitely growing up in Texas, I heard her on the radio,” Beyoncé said while discussing Selena’s impact. She added that listening to Selena’s albums helped her with her Spanish pronunciation when she entered the recording studio.
Beyoncé also made her feelings about Selena clear: “I think she is a legend and I admire her.”
© FilmMagicBeyoncé originally released the Spanish-language Irreemplazable EP in 2007 during the B’Day era. Now, almost 20 years later, one of the artists who helped inspire Beyoncé’s Spanish recordings has become part of the music itself.
The new track essentially connects Selena’s early-1990s Tejano career, Beyoncé’s B’Day era and Beyoncé’s 2026 anniversary celebration.
Selena’s husband Chris Pérez responds to the Beyoncé duet
Not everyone immediately embraced the posthumous collaboration, and Selena’s widower, musician Chris Pérez, addressed some of the criticism. Pérez defended Beyoncé’s decision to honor Selena after encountering negative reactions online. “In my opinion, nobody will ever, CAN ever, top Selena’s performance,” Pérez wrote.
But he also questioned why listeners could not appreciate “another iconic/amazing artist (Beyoncé)” choosing to spotlight Selena’s music.
© @lareinaselenaquintanillaaa“Some of you can be a bit much at times,” he wrote. “I understand your opinion. BUT, you’re used to hearing the original version of Como La Flor performed by the original, baddest, most iconic singer/performer…Selena. In my opinion, nobody will ever, CAN ever, top Selena’s performance. But, dammit…can’t you just appreciate that another iconic/amazing artist (Beyoncé) chose to highlight Selena in this way? ESPECIALLY in today’s musical climate?”
Beyoncé’s B’Day anniversary also celebrates Latin music
Selena is not the only Latin music connection on the expanded album. The 31-track digital edition includes “Cuerpo (Tumbao)” featuring Colombian superstar Maluma. The song incorporates Celia Cruz’s “La Negra Tiene Tumbao,” adding another connection to a legendary Latina performer.
Is Beyoncé’s Selena Quintanilla duet a new Selena recording?
No. “Irreemplazable (Como La Flor)” incorporates previously released Selena vocals rather than a previously unheard vocal performance recorded for Beyoncé.
What songs are combined in Beyoncé and Selena’s duet?
The track combines Beyoncé’s Spanish-language “Irreemplazable,” based on her hit “Irreplaceable,” with Selena Quintanilla’s “Como La Flor.”
