Selena Quintanilla

What Did They Do 

Selena Quintanilla was a Mexican-American singer, mostly known for her genre in Tejano music. Selena first debuted at 9 years old in a band called "Selena and Los Dinos," members included both her siblings, A.B. and Suzette. Starting her music career in her Father’s restaurant, Papa Gayo’s, she would gain acknowledgement by playing at quinceaneras and weddings, etc.

Accomplishments

Despite her popularity in the late 20th century, she was first refused at venues and criticized for singing because the Tejano music industry was mostly male dominated. However in 1987, she won the Tejano Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year which grew her popularity, she continued to win the award 9 more times. She was eventually signed to EMI Latin in 1989. During her time as a singer she accomplished many titles and much fame in Latin communities all over. Selena released her first album the same year she was signed to EMI Latin, which was titled "Selena" and in 1992 she released "Entre a Mi Mundo''. that reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard for Regional Mexican Music for 8 months straight, critics also called the album a "breakthrough". One of the singles in the Album "Como la Flor'' was titled as one of Selena's signature songs.Her next album "Live!" in 1993 won the award for Best Mexican American Album at the 1994 Grammy Awards making her the first latina female artist to win. The same year she released her album "Amor Prohibido '' that became one her best selling albums in the United States. Critics claim that it was responsible for Tejano music's rise as a genre in the latino community. In early 1995, she was shot and later pronounced dead, despite her death, the next album she was working on was released titled ‘Dreaming of You” which reached the Billboard 200. Apart from her music career, Selena was also a fashion icon wearing many names such as “Tejano Madonna.” She had opened two boutiques called Selena Etc. located in Corpus Christi and San Antonio which were popular due to her music career. Even after her death people still remember her as the “Queen of Tejano Music”, even having a statue built in her honor in Corpus Christi, Texas. Her accomplishments as one of the world's first Mexican-American female artists will always be remembered. To This day there are fans of hers all around the world that will remember Selena for her greatness and all the people she inspired.

Struggles

Despite her many accomplishments, Selena struggled in the beginning of her Spanish music career because she was never taught to speak Spanish, however she was also described as a big dreamer claiming that "If you have a dream, don't let anybody take it away from you."

What They Mean to Me

What the success of Selena means to me is the chance to follow my dreams. Growing up in a Mexican-American household you see the opportunities that are limited to you by the adults around you. so a lot of times growing up as a little girl I didn't think I would be able to do what I wanted. So Selena was definitely one of my icons as a successful latina. I got to see some who looked like me and do what she wanted to, pursue her dreams. Not only that but she was also a good person, it shows by the way people loved her and how many showed up to her memorials and the people that help their own little ceremonies for her. Selenas always said to work hard for what you want and to follow your dreams. So I truly take it to heart when I say that she has inspired me to do what I want to do.

How Do They Inspire Me

sI want to become a Family lawyer and help kids in the foster system. Selena has been one of the influential people to inspire me to follow my dreams. When I came to know about Selena's story in my youth, it had an impact on me because she had died so young, all the what ifs came to mind and I realized that I should work hard to achieve my goals because life is too short to wait for them. I also aspire to become some people look up to just like Selena, many little girls did. I want my line of work to have a meaningful impact on people, I want people to find joy in their life, and know that they are safe and can trust the people they are with. If you always live your life in fear of what to come, then you will stay that way, just like when Selena took a step and defied her father when she married her husband at a young age. For me Selena will alway be one of the most impactful people in my life and history, despite her sad story, she lived her years in success and happiness, she lived a life we all strive for. She did what others were scared to do and didn’t regret it. I feel as if Selena didn’t have regrets in her life when she passed, she lived a good life and made the impact she wanted to, that’s why she will always be remembered as a loving and kind person by her friends and family. Because she was a dreamer she achieved her goals in life and death, her name went down in the history of our community, the “Queen of Tejano Music”, the first latin Female artist to win a grammy. That’s why when people ask who has inspired me, I will tell them that one of the people is Selena Quintanilla, the girl who accomplished many feats. But besides her accomplishments I also love her music as well and if I were to say my favorite top five are:

1. Como la Flor
2. Amor Prohibido
3. El Chico de Apartamento 512
4. Si Una Vez
5. La Carcacha