"Selena Quintanilla was a very popular Mexican-American singer in the 80's and 90's, but how has she had an impact on music till this
day?" - Alynna Granada, 9th grade
Beyonce, Drake, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira- – you may be familiar with some of these artists. All of them have one thing in common: they were all inspired or influenced by Selena Quintanilla.
Selena Quintanilla is one of the biggest Mexican-American singers of all time who helped promote, honor, and celebrate Mexican culture in her music by singing in Spanish and adding her own twist to it by adding disco and funk like tunes into her music. One of Selena's songs in particular, “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” you can hear the mix of cumbia and funk which was a combination of Latin and American style music. Ruben Cubillos who helped create Selena’s logo said, “When I hear her music, it triggers this image in my head, like a small movie, of her bubbly personality and her dancing, playful and serious at the same time.” She would sing her songs in Spanish and English making her popular in Spanish speaking countries and America. Selena became very popular in the music industry and eventually was awarded a Grammy in 1994.
Sadly, she passed away at the young age of 23 due to a shotgun wound. Her family, friends, and fans were all heartbroken because of her passing. Two years after Selena's death her family wanted to make a movie about Selena, remembering her. After the movie was released it touched the hearts of many. People knew her story and many were inspired.
Today, Selena has inspired and influenced a new generation of Latin artists. Take Jennifer Lopez for example, a very popular and well known Latin singer and actress. Two years after the death of Selena they wanted to make a movie about her life and legacy in which Jennifer Lopez played the part of Selena. In an interview with Billboard she said, "And it was through playing the role that I learned to live in the moment. You have to seize the day, and so I decided after that movie to make my first record. And I did." Jennifer Lopez went on to become one of the best Latin artists of all time and it was influenced by playing the role of Selena.
Selena has influenced not just the Latin community but she influenced some American artists too. In 2007 while doing an interview with People en Español, Beyonce said that growing up she listened to Selena's songs and was influenced by her music. In the interview she said, "I listened to Selena all the time, she's close to me because of where I'm from." Beyonce is now a very well known and loved artist, and she is not the only big American artist Selena has inspired. She has also inspired other big American artists like Drake, Bruno Mars, and Lady Gaga.
Selena has won many awards during her lifetime, but even after she passed she won a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement which shows how much of an impact she has made. She is celebrated and remembered by many not just for her music but for the kind hearted person that she was.
Selena Quintanilla is one of the biggest Mexican-American singers of all time who helped promote, honor, and celebrate Mexican culture in her music by singing in Spanish and adding her own twist to it by adding disco and funk like tunes into her music. One of Selena's songs in particular, “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” you can hear the mix of cumbia and funk which was a combination of Latin and American style music. Ruben Cubillos who helped create Selena’s logo said, “When I hear her music, it triggers this image in my head, like a small movie, of her bubbly personality and her dancing, playful and serious at the same time.” She would sing her songs in Spanish and English making her popular in Spanish speaking countries and America. Selena became very popular in the music industry and eventually was awarded a Grammy in 1994.
Sadly, she passed away at the young age of 23 due to a shotgun wound. Her family, friends, and fans were all heartbroken because of her passing. Two years after Selena's death her family wanted to make a movie about Selena, remembering her. After the movie was released it touched the hearts of many. People knew her story and many were inspired.
Today, Selena has inspired and influenced a new generation of Latin artists. Take Jennifer Lopez for example, a very popular and well known Latin singer and actress. Two years after the death of Selena they wanted to make a movie about her life and legacy in which Jennifer Lopez played the part of Selena. In an interview with Billboard she said, "And it was through playing the role that I learned to live in the moment. You have to seize the day, and so I decided after that movie to make my first record. And I did." Jennifer Lopez went on to become one of the best Latin artists of all time and it was influenced by playing the role of Selena.
Selena has influenced not just the Latin community but she influenced some American artists too. In 2007 while doing an interview with People en Español, Beyonce said that growing up she listened to Selena's songs and was influenced by her music. In the interview she said, "I listened to Selena all the time, she's close to me because of where I'm from." Beyonce is now a very well known and loved artist, and she is not the only big American artist Selena has inspired. She has also inspired other big American artists like Drake, Bruno Mars, and Lady Gaga.
Selena has won many awards during her lifetime, but even after she passed she won a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement which shows how much of an impact she has made. She is celebrated and remembered by many not just for her music but for the kind hearted person that she was.
