Selena Quintanilla Pérez, known professionally as Selena, was an American singer. Referred to as the "Queen of Tejano Music", her contributions to music and fashion made her one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers of the late 20th century. In 2020, Billboard magazine put her in third place on their list of "Greatest Latino Artists of All Time", based on both Latin albums and Latin songs chart. Media outlets called her the "Tejano Madonna" for her clothing choices. She also ranks among the most influential Latin artists of all time and is credited for catapulting the Tejano genre into the mainstream market.
José Roberto Pulido Jr., known professionally as Bobby Pulido, is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor. He is acclaimed for pioneering the dissemination of Tejano music to a youthful audience, subsequently ascending as a teen idol and becoming one of the most influential Tejano recording artists among Mexican-American teenagers.
Amor Prohibido is the fourth studio album by American singer Selena, released on March 22, 1994, by EMI Latin. Having reached a core fan base, the label aimed to broaden her appeal with the next studio release. Finding it challenging to write a follow-up hit after "Como la Flor" (1992), Selena's brother A. B. Quintanilla enlisted the assistance from band members Ricky Vela and Pete Astudillo with writing the album's songs. The resulting album has a more mature sound featuring experimental production that blends diverse musical styles from ranchera to hip-hop music. Amor Prohibido is a Tejano cumbia album modernized with a synthesizer-rich delivery using a minimalist style that was quintessential in early 1990s Tejano music.
Entre a Mi Mundo is the third studio album by American singer Selena, released on May 6, 1992, by EMI Latin. The label endeavored to bolster Selena's popularity within the Latin music market in the United States with this release. Selena's brother, A. B. Quintanilla kept his role as the singer's producer and, in collaboration with Selena y Los Dinos members Pete Astudillo and Ricky Vela, composed tracks for the album. The ensuing recording encompassed an eclectic array of songs, attributable to the members' diverse backgrounds, which facilitated the modernization of the many genres they explored. Entre a Mi Mundo is a Tejano cumbia album that encapsulated Selena's quintessential sound, characterized by engaging tunes harmonized with her distinctive, plaintive vocals and a relaxed, danceable cumbia beat. The album incorporates musical inspirations from power pop, R&B, disco, rock, funk, and synthesized Tejano music.
Selena is the self-titled debut studio album by American Tejano singer Selena, released on October 17, 1989, by EMI Latin. Its music incorporates a range of contemporary genres with a mix of cumbia and regional styles of Mexican music. The album was released following company president Jose Behar's failed crossover request for the singer. The project was denied by the heads of EMI Records' pop division, believing the singer should first strengthen her fanbase. Selena's brother and principal record producer and songwriter, A.B. Quintanilla III fought to remain the singer's producer. The band introduced Pete Astudillo and Joe Ojeda, who contributed to the album's experimental production and songwriting. Aside from A.B., Selena worked with two Mexican songwriters, Alejandro Montealegre and Reinaldo Ornelas.
Alpha is the second independent studio album by American Tejano music group Selena y Los Dinos. Released in 1986 under Manny Guerra's G.P. Productions, it followed the group’s debut album, which was recorded under Freddie Records. Selena y Los Dinos, led by vocalist Selena, recorded mostly cover songs. Wanting to stand out, bassist A.B. Quintanilla requested original material from Luis Silva after noticing his track record for writing award-winning songs. Silva ignored A.B.'s request and he was inspired by Abraham to write songs himself. The group expanded to include keyboardist Ricky Vela and guitarist Roger Garcia. Vela collaborated with A.B. on "Dame un Beso", while he collaborated with Abraham on "Dame tu Amor". A.B. became Selena y Los Dinos' music producer and songwriter, while Abraham encouraged them to record songs of various genres to appeal to a wider audience. Despite her limited Spanish, Selena recorded all nine tracks phonetically.
Pedro Astudillo, known as Pete Astudillo, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and dancer. Referred to as "the Latino Babyface" by The Daily Journal, he is regarded as the architect behind Selena's sound, as he collaborated or coauthored the singer's top-selling and most popular recordings that cemented him into music history. Astudillo wrote or collaborated on some of the most popular Tejano music songs of the 1990s and was inducted into the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame in 2019. His impact on the United States Latin music scene lies in his role as a songwriter collaborator, according to Billboard magazine.
Jay Perez is an American Tejano musician, who is known for mixing rhythm and blues with traditional Tejano music.
Te Llevo en Mi is the debut studio album by American Tejano music singer Jay Perez. The album peaked at number ten on the US Billboard Regional Mexican Albums chart. It garnered Perez the Billboard Latin Music Awards for New Regional Mexican Artist in 1994, as well as a nomination for the Tejano Music Award for Male Entertainer of the Year at the 1994 Tejano Music Awards. His English-language effort "On This Side of the Door" was nominated for the Tejano Country Single of the Year.
Gary Lee Hobbs is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor. Called "Tejano music's Vince Gill", he has been widely recognized for his resonant baritone vocals, characterized by their emotive quality, and is considered a pioneer within the genre. Hobbs played a significant role in the expansion of Tejano music during the 1990s and became one of the most popular Tejano singers of the 1980s and 1990s.
"Como la Flor" is a song recorded by American singer Selena. Written by A. B. Quintanilla and Pete Astudillo, it was released as the second single from her third studio album Entre a Mi Mundo (1992). The song was written by Quintanilla, who was inspired by a family selling illuminated plastic flowers at a concert in Sacramento, California, in 1982. A decade later, Quintanilla was seized with an infectious melody and abruptly dashed out of the shower in a hotel room in Bryan, Texas, to recreate it on a keyboard with Astudillo. He completed the music in just 20 minutes, while Astudillo took another hour to complete the lyrics. "Como la Flor" is an up-tempo, Tejano cumbia torch song that blends tropical cumbia rhythms with hints of reggae and pop music. Its lyrics describe the feelings of a female protagonist addressing her former lover, who abandoned her for another partner. The narrator is uncertain of her ability to love again, while at the same time, wishing her former partner and his new lover the best.
"La Carcacha" is a song recorded by American singer Selena for her third studio album, Entre a Mi Mundo (1992). The song was written by A.B. Quintanilla and Pete Astudillo. It was inspired by a dilapidated car and an experience in which A.B. observed a woman's willingness to court the owner of a luxury car. The song, characterized by its rhythmic melodies and satirical portrayal of life in the barrio, highlights the importance of love and genuine connection over material wealth. It is a Tejano cumbia song that is emblematic of Selena's typical style, while music critics found it to be musically similar to "Baila Esta Cumbia".
Freddie Records is an American independent record label founded in Corpus Christi, Texas on November 1, 1969, by musician Freddie Martinez. Originally functioning as a recording studio and distributor for Martinez, the label expanded its roster to include other Tejano musicians to avoid financial failure. The label commenced producing albums for an array of artists, including Ramón Ayala, Agustin Ramirez, Oscar Martinez, and Joe Bravo. Ayala became the best-selling act of the label, sustaining the financial stability of Freddie Records throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The label sponsored a Little Joe concert in 1978 and recorded it for their Live for Schlitz album. It led to a ban on future events in the area, though the album remained a lucrative live recording for Freddie Records for two decades. As Tejano music's popularity surged, Freddie Records augmented its foundation by incorporating an additional 6,000 square feet for a second studio and production facility replete with updated MCI equipment capable of accommodating cassette tape and 8-track formats and instigated a release schedule of two albums per month on average.
Steel Rain is the second studio album by American Tejano music singer Jay Perez. The album peaked at number five on the US Billboard Regional Mexican Albums chart. It garnered Perez a nomination for the Tejano Music Award for Male Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year at the 1995 Tejano Music Awards. The title track was nominated for the Tejano Country Single of the Year. One of the songs on the album, "Corazon", is a cover version of Carole King's song with the same title taken from her album Fantasay (1973).
The Voice is the third studio album by American Tejano music singer Jay Perez. The album peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Regional Mexican Albums chart. It garnered Perez a nomination for Album of the Year (Orchestra) at the 1996 Tejano Music Awards. Perez recorded "Let's Get it On", originally recorded by Marvin Gaye.
Toda Mi Vida is the fifth studio album by American Tejano music singer Jay Perez. The album peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Regional Mexican Albums chart. The album received a nomination for Album of the Year (Group) at the 1999 Tejano Music Awards.
Mi Estrella is the eighth studio album by American Tejano music singer Jay Perez. The album peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Regional Mexican Albums chart. The song "Senorita Tequila" received a nomination for Crossover Song of the Year at the 2001 Tejano Music Awards, while the album garnered Perez his first win for the Tejano Music Award for Male Vocalist of the Year after being nominated for five years.
Si Tu No Estas is the fourth studio album by American Tejano music singer-songwriter Pete Astudillo. The album peaked at number 37 on the US Billboard Top Latin Albums chart. The title track is a tribute song to Selena, who was shot and killed on March 31, 1995, this is the second tribute song for the singer following "Como Te Extraño" (1995). Astudillo was a backup dancer and singer for her group Selena y Los Dinos. The title track was intended for the 1997 film soundtrack of Selena, but was shelved. "Si Tu No Estas" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 1998 Tejano Music Awards, while "No Le Niego" was nominated for Tejano Crossover Song of the Year.
The Tejano Music Award for Best New Artist is an honor presented annually at the Tejano Music Awards, a ceremony that recognizes emerging vocalists and groups in the Tejano music industry. The award is given out in three subcategories: Male, Female, and Group.
Isabel Marie Sanchez is an American Tejano music singer. Sanchez gained initial recognition as a child performer in various singing and dancing contests. Her breakthrough occurred on the third season of La Voz Kids, which caught the attention of record executive Abraham Quintanilla. Sanchez released her debut album, New Girl in Town in 2016, and received critical and commercial success. She was awarded the Tejano Music Award for Best New Female Artist, becoming the youngest recipient of the award. Her second album, Sígueme (2017), was nominated for Album of the Year, while her third studio effort, Xoxo - Hugs and Kisses (2018), achieved commercial success. After her fourth album, IV (2019), was released, Sanchez departed Q-Productions, indicating a desire for a new musical direction. Her fifth album, Una Illusion (2022), earned her a nomination for the Latin Grammy Award for Best Tejano Album. Sanchez has been active in charitable and non-profit organizations and was honored by the Texas House of Representatives for her contributions to the arts and community.
