Selena Biography

(American Singer Popularly Known as the 'Queen of Tejano Music')

Birthday: April 16, 1971 (Aries)

Born In: Lake Jackson, Texas, United States

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was an American singer, songwriter, model, actor, fashion designer, and spokesperson. Famously known as the ‘Queen of Tejano music,’ she was one of the best-selling Latin artists of the 1990s. Her work in the field of fashion and music made her one of the most prominent Latin artists of the late 20th century. Along with other artists, Selena is credited for turning ‘Tejano music’ (various forms of folk and popular music) into a famous music genre. Born to a singer-songwriter, Selena made her debut in 1980 when she became part of the family band, ‘Selena y Los Dinos.’ She started hogging the limelight when her album ‘Entre a Mi Mundo’ peaked at number one on ‘Regional Mexican Albums’ chart for 32 consecutive weeks. The single ‘Como La Flor’ became one of her signature songs. Her album ‘Live!’ won the ‘Grammy’ for ‘Best Mexican/American Album,’ becoming the first album by a female Tejano artist to win the award. Apart from being an entertainer, she was also a spokesperson for ‘Coca-Cola.’ In the year 1995, Selena was shot dead by Yolanda Saldívar, a former employee of ‘Selena Etc. boutiques.’ After her death, the then-governor of Texas George W. Bush declared her birthday as ‘Selena Day’ in Texas.

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Quick Facts

Nick Name: La Reina de Tex-Mex

Also Known As: Selena Quintanilla-Pérez

Died At Age: 23

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Chris Pérez (m. 1992–1995), Chris Pérez (m. 1992–1995)

father: Abraham Quintanilla Jr.

mother: Marcella Samora

siblings: A.B. Quintanilla, Suzette Quintanilla

Born Country: United States

Rhythm & Blues Singers American Women

Died on: March 31, 1995

place of death: Corpus Christi, Texas, United States

Ancestry: Mexican American

Notable Alumni: Pacific Western University

Cause of Death: Killed

U.S. State: Texas

More Facts

education: Pacific Western University

Childhood & Early Life
Selena was born on April 16, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Texas, USA, to Abraham Quintanilla Jr., a former musician, and Marcella Ofelia Quintanilla.
Her father had formed a band called ‘Selena y Los Dinos,’ and Selena started fronting the band from 1981. Her two older siblings played the guitar and drums.
Selena graduated from ‘American School of Correspondence.’ At the age of 17, she got enrolled at the ‘Pacific Western University.’
In 1984, she recorded her first LP record, ‘Selena y Los Dinos.’ The following year, she appeared on a popular Spanish-language radio program titled ‘Johnny Canales Show’ in order to promote the album.
In 1987, she won ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’ award at ‘Tejano Music Awards’ after being discovered by the founder of the ‘Tejano Music Awards,’ Rick Trevino.
By 1988, Selena had released five other LP records, namely ‘Alpha,’ ‘And the Winner Is…,’ ‘Munequito de Trapo,’ ‘Dulce Amor,’ and ‘Preciosa.’
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Career
On October 17, 1989, Selena released her self-titled debut album. The album, which was produced by ‘EMI Latin Records,’ was recorded at ‘AMEN Studios’ in Texas. The song ‘Sukiyaki’ and the album debuted on the ‘US Billboard Regional Mexican Albums’ chart.
The same year, she became a spokesperson for ‘Coca-Cola.’ The first two jingles that she sang were composed by her brother Quintanilla III and the new guitarist of their band Chris Pérez.
In 1990, Selena released her second studio album ‘Ven Conmigo.’ One of its singles, ‘Baila Esta Cumbia,’ became one of Selena’s most popular songs.
Her 1991 album ‘Nada Se Compara Contigo’ featured a duet titled ‘Buenos Amigos’ by Selena and Álvaro Torres. The song not only topped the ‘U.S. Billboard Top Latin Songs’ chart, but also increased her airplay on popular radio channels.
In 1992, she released her breakthrough album ‘Entre a Mi Mundo.’ It peaked at number one on ‘Regional Mexican Albums’ chart for 32 consecutive weeks.
In 1993, she released ‘Live!,’ her Grammy Award-winning album. By this time, she had started appearing in cameo roles in telenovelas like ‘Dos Mujeres, Un Camino.’
In 1994, she started her own line of clothing. Two of her boutiques called ‘Selena Etc.’ were opened at Corpus Christi and San Antonio.
The year 1994 saw the release of her fourth album ‘Amor Prohibido’ which became one of the best-selling Latin albums in the US.
Major Works
All her albums were commercially successful. ‘Ven Conmigo’ was certified platinum by ‘AMPROFON.’ ‘Entre a Mi Mundo’ became the first Tejano album by a female artist to sell over 300,000 copies, while ‘Amor Prohibido’ became the second Tejano album to sell 500,000 copies. Her 1993 album ‘Live!’ was given the ‘Album of the Year’ title by the ‘Billboard Latin Music Awards.’
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Awards & Achievements
In 1994, the singer won the ‘Regional Mexican Female Artist’ award and ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’ award for her debut album ‘Selena.’
The same year, Selena Quintanilla won the ‘Grammy Award’ for ‘Live!’ She won the award under the ‘Best Mexican/American Album’ category at the 36th ‘Grammy Awards.’
‘Amor Prohibido’ won ‘Record of the Year’ at the 1995 ‘Tejano Music Awards.’ It also won the ‘Regional/Mexican Album of the Year’ at the 1995 ‘Lo Nuestro Awards.’
She also won several ‘Billboard Latin Music Awards’ for tracks like ‘Tú Sólo Tú’ and albums like ‘Selena’ and ‘Amor Prohibido.’
In 1995, Selena was inducted into the ‘Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame,’ the ‘Hard Rock Cafe's Hall of Fame,’ and the ‘South Texas Music Hall of Fame.’
‘Orange County Register’ ranked her fifth in the list of ‘100 most influential Latin musicians of the 20th century.’
Humanitarian Works
Selena supported the formation of ‘Congressional Hispanic Caucus.’ She performed for free at fund raising concerts for organizations like ‘D.A.R.E,’ ‘Dep Corporation,’ and ‘Teach the Children festival.’ She recorded pro-education videos like ‘My Music’ and ‘Selena Agrees.’ Selena often reached out to those who suffered from abusive relationships and homelessness.
Personal Life & Legacy
She was in a relationship with Chris Pérez. Since their relationship was disapproved by her father, Selena and Pérez eloped on April 2, 1992. The couple was married for three years until Selena’s death.
Yolanda Saldívar, the president of Selena’s fan club and the manager of Selena’s boutiques, was about to be fired for embezzling money worth $60,000. On March 31, 1995, she shot Selena, in an act of supposed vengeance. The bullet hit her right lower shoulder. She died of blood loss and cardiac arrest on the same day.
Selena’s mortal remains were buried at ‘Seaside Memorial Park’ in Texas.
Her album ‘Dreaming of You’ (1995), which released posthumously, created a record by selling 175,000 copies on the first day of its release.
In 1997, Selena Quintanilla was portrayed by Jennifer Lopez in the movie ‘Selena,’ which was directed by Gregory Nava.

Awards

Grammy Awards
1994 Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album Winner
1994 Best Mexican-American Album Winner
ASCAP Film And Television Music Awards
1995 Most Performed Song Winner

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- Selena Biography
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