Selena (1971-1995) was an American singer. She became a star in the Tejano style of Hispanic popular music. Tejano is a highly rhythmic form of music. It originated in central and southern Texas. It combines features of such European musical forms as the waltz and polka with traditional musical styles of northern Mexico.
Selena became the most popular singer in Tejano music while in her early 20’s. She was preparing to expand her career into the English-speaking pop music market when she was shot to death on March 31, 1995. Yolanda Saldivar was convicted of first-degree murder in the killing. Saldivar was a business associate and former president of Selena’s fan club. Selena’s violent death created an outpouring of grief and affection for the singer throughout the Hispanic music world.
Selena was born on April 16, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Texas. Her full name was Selena Quintanilla. Selena began singing in public at her family’s restaurant when she was 8 years old. Later, she sang and traveled with Los Dinos, a band that included her brother and sister. Selena grew up speaking English At first, she learned the Spanish lyrics to her songs by their sounds. She began studying Spanish about 1990 and became fluent in the language. She made her first recording with Los Dinos in 1983. She released her first album, Mis Primeras Grabaciones, in 1984. She was named Female Vocalist of the Year at the 1986 Tejano Music Awards, an award she won 11 years.
In 1989, Selena signed with EMI Latin, a major recording company. She released Selena y Los Dinos for the company the same year. In 1992, she married Chris Perez, a guitarist with Los Dinos. Selena began performing in large stadiums. She won the 1993 Grammy for Best Mexican American Album for Selena Live. Her highly successful album Amor Prohibido was released in 1994. It included four hit singles—the title song, “No Me Queda Mas,” “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” and “Fotos y Recuerdos.” Selena had completed several tracks of her first English-language album at the time of her death. The album, Dreaming of You, was released in 1995 with songs in both English and Spanish.
