Selena

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, known simply as Selena, was an American singer, songwriter, and actress who rose to prominence in the Tejano music scene and later achieved cross‑over appeal in the United States. She was born on April 16, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Texas, and grew up performing with her siblings in the family band Los Dinos.

Her music fused traditional Tejano with pop and Latin styles, helping Tejano reach broader audiences. The band released multiple albums, with breakthrough works including Entre a Mi Mundo (1992) and Amor Prohibido (1994). Several singles, such as "Como La Flor" and "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom," became hits and solidified her mainstream appeal. Selena earned several Tejano Music Awards and won a Grammy for Best Mexican-American Album for Live! (1994). A posthumous English-language album, Dreaming of You (1995), introduced her to a wider, non-Spanish-speaking audience.

Selena was murdered on March 31, 1995, in Corpus Christi, Texas, by Yolanda Saldívar, the former president of her fan club. Her death sparked widespread mourning and a continued cultural legacy.

Her influence extends beyond music to fashion and representation for Latinx communities. A 1997 biographical film, Selena, starring Jennifer Lopez, further popularized her story. She has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and with a museum dedicated to her life in Corpus Christi. Her work remains widely celebrated and has inspired enduring tribute and reissues.