A Report on Selena Quintanilla – The Queen of Tejano Music

Introduction

Have you ever heard of Selena Quintanilla’s music? It is the best music in the world that you could ever listen to. I chose Selena for my essay because I love her music and she was inspiring. Selena learned to sing at a young age and started her band with her family and with her friends. She also went to two Universities, Pacific Western University and Louisiana State University, and graduated from both of them. She was called the Queen of Tejano music, and her contributions to music and fashion made her one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers before she passed away. Selena Quintanilla was so respectful to everyone and never was disrespectful to any of her fans. She was always true to her family and husband, and although she never had any kids of her own, she loved to be with kids or babies because of all the positive energy. She had two siblings and was the youngest in her family.

Early Life and Career

Selena Quintanilla was born on April 16, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Texas. Her parents were Abraham Quintanilla and Marcela Samora. Selena had two other siblings: one sister, Suzette Quintanilla, and one brother, A.B. Quintanilla II. When Selena was eight, she began a career in a band formed by her father called Selena Y Los Dinos. Selena’s father, Abraham Quintanilla, was a former musician. He managed and produced his family’s group, Selena Y Los Dinos. Around the age of 10, Selena became the lead singer in her family's band. The musical group started out playing weddings and clubs in their native Texas. The band featured her brother Abraham on bass guitar and her sister Suzette on the drums. It was officially formed in 1981. Selena's early exposure to music and performance laid the groundwork for her future success, showcasing her natural talent and charisma.

Tragic Loss

On March 31, 1995, she was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldivar, her friend, and former manager. She was 23 years old when she was killed in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was shot in a motel room after Yolanda had just finished telling that she was raped in Mexico. Yolanda Saldivar shot her on the right side of her chest. Her untimely death sent shockwaves through the music industry and left millions of fans mourning the loss of an iconic figure.

Achievements and Legacy

Selena Quintanilla was an entrepreneur, stylist, spokesperson, model, activist, songwriter, and singer. Selena went to two Universities, Pacific Western University and Louisiana State University, and graduated from both of them. Selena credited Donna Summer, Madonna, Paula Abdul, Michael Jackson, and Janet Jackson as primary influences on her dance moves, her music, and fashion. Her famous quote was, “If you have a dream don’t let anybody take it away from you.” Selena’s favorite food is pizza, and her famous movie is Selena. I chose her because when I was younger, I would always listen to her music and dance to it, and because my whole life, I listened to the music at parties and home when I was bored or in a bad mood. Selena Quintanilla had over 65 million fans before she passed away. At concerts, she would always give out free things like t-shirts, signed mugs, signed photos, and sometimes she would even take pictures with her fans while hugging them. So many people enjoyed her music, and they were so disappointed when she died. Selena was also known for her beauty. Whenever people would take pictures with her, they were just so in love with the fact that she was so beautiful and because of how kind she was to everyone. They would also feel special because they finally met her in person. To me, Selena Quintanilla is a hero. Selena is important to the world because she inspired others all around her to help make this world better. For example, she used to go to all kinds of schools and talk to kids about staying in school so that they could have a good future.

Personal Insights

The things that I learned about Selena Quintanilla that I didn’t know before was that she had a band when she was younger and that her husband Chris Perez was in her band when they were kids as well. I have also learned that she is a very inspiring person because she would go across the country just so that she could talk to students about how important it is to stay in school. Another thing that I have learned about Selena Quintanilla is that she was 5'5" before she died at the age of 23 and would have been 47 if she was still alive. Her dedication to education and her ability to connect with young people added another layer to her legacy, emphasizing the importance of personal growth and learning.

References

1. Quintanilla, A. (1997). Selena: Como La Flor. Warner Books.
2. Perez, C. (2012). To Selena, With Love. Celebra.
3. Patoski, J. N. (1996). Selena: Queen of Tejano Music. Little, Brown and Company.
4. Arrarás, M. (1997). Selena's Secret: The Revealing Story Behind Her Tragic Death. Simon & Schuster.
5. Cantú, N. E., & Najera-Ramirez, O. (2002). Chicana Traditions: Continuity and Change. University of Illinois Press.
6. Saldívar-Hull, S. (2000). Feminism on the Border: Chicana Gender Politics and Literature. University of California Press.