Pioneers
Selena Quintanilla
Legendary star that captivated the world with her music and charisma
Selena Quintanilla continues to influence music and pop culture even after her tragic goodbye 28 years ago. The history of one of the most iconic musicians has played a part in the success of a new generation of artists, transcending cultural boundaries and languages.
The Queen of Tejano music achieved an incredible career in a short period of time, following five studio albums, from 1989 to 1995. Selena won a Grammy award for Best Mexican-American Album in 1994 for her popular live album ‘Selena Live!’ and earned the respect and admiration of many fellow singers, as well as music executives and fans around the world.
The legendary star was able to captivate a worldwide audience, not only with her music but also with her charisma and perseverance. Selena talked about feeling like a proud Latina during a 1994 interview before her performance in Monterrey.
“I feel very proud to be Mexican. I didn’t have the opportunity to learn Spanish when I was a girl, but...it’s never too late to get in touch with your roots,” she shared at the height of her success.
Following the release of her album ‘Amor Prohibido,’ Selena broke a cultural barrier that had yet to be explored, becoming a top 30 hit on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, apart from topping the Top Latin Albums and the Regional Mexican Albums charts. She also took over the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart with her hit songs ‘Amor Prohibido,’ ‘Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,’ ‘No Me Queda Más’ and ‘Fotos Y Recuerdos.’
She also positioned herself as a fashion icon and a businesswoman, with many recreating her iconic looks and signature makeup to this day. Selena’s posthumous album ‘Dreaming Of You’ debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States, and her life was taken to the big screen in 1997, launching the successful career of Jennifer Lopez, who portrayed the charismatic singer in her biopic. Her legacy and impact will forever be remembered in the music, fashion, and entertainment industries, and in the hearts of fans across the globe.
