Today, March 31st, 2025, marks 30 years since we lost Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, the "Queen of Tejano”. At just 23 years old, Selena was taken too soon, while her music and influence have only grown stronger with time.
Selena was a force of nature. She brought Tejano music to the mainstream, blending pop and soul to create a sound that spoke to people from all walks of life. You’ll still hear tracks like “Como La Flor”, “Amor Prohibido”, and “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom”, from the clubs to your aunt’s backyard party.
Her voice? One of a kind. Her energy? Off the charts, but Selena wasn’t just about the music. She’s a generational icon for young Latinas and women. She showed everyone that dreaming big while being proud of your roots, are still possible to maintain success and make an impact in the world.
When Selena was tragically taken away in 1995, it sent shockwaves. Her influence has only became more impactful, as artists like Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, and Bad Bunny all cite Selena as a major inspiration. She’s the reason Latin artists today are able to cross into mainstream spaces. She was one of the first to prove that Latin music wasn’t just a niche, it’s global.
Selena was a not only a blueprint, but a pioneer that opened doors for many artists who came after her. Whether you speak Spanish or not, Selena’s universal music always speaks to the heart. As we mark the 30th anniversary of her death, we’re reminded of how much Selena still means to music as a whole, the Latin culture, and to fans everywhere.
