Why People Still Remember Selena 25 Years Later
25 years ago today, the world lost a legendary music icon in the making: Selena. At the age of 23, Selena was working on her crossover album, Dreaming of You. She was only able to record 4 songs. The album was released posthumously and included different versions of some of her previously released music. It was a commercial and critical success. But Selena’s legacy wasn’t just about making and selling albums and doing arena shows. If documentaries, articles, and the biopic, Selena, taught us anything, is that she was the epitome of what a dream in the making is. Sadly, her life was cut short and we couldn’t see what else she had in her future for the world to see.
I never had the chance to see Selena in concert. I was 5 years old when she passed away, but thanks to my older brother, I became a fan. And now, I am writing about Selena because as a womyn and a womyn of color, she was the example, if not, THE BEST EXAMPLE for me growing up. I grew up being a fan of Selena ever since I could remember, but as I got older, I realized that she indeed is my favorite artist of all time. Here’s why:
1. She is the Queen of DIY.
While she didn’t write most of her music, she still contributed. But what makes her the DIY master is her dancing and her outfits. It’s been said that while she practiced her dancing, she didn’t have much of a choreography. She would improvise her dance moves on the spot. Also, her outfits! She was known for designing and making her outfits as well as the band’s when they all wore the same attire.
2. She is the most successful womyn in the Tejano music scene.
One thing we learned in the biopic is that womyn were not successful in the Tejano music scene. Men dominated the genre. Ever since she was young, her dad believed that she would succeed and that she had the IT factor to make it. And she did.
3. She broke barriers. She was an innovator.
The family has stated in interviews that they had been on food stamps even when the band was starting to get some momentum. They struggled. The band as a whole would not give up. She wouldn’t give up. She was liked by everyone, including Gringos! She had her boutique. Not only did she attend the Grammys, but she also won! She was selling out concerts. She was making her English language album, a dream she had for a long time.
4. She is respected.
I am not sure about anyone else, but not once have I heard anyone disrespect her in any way. Anyone who is a fan loves her because of her music, her talent, and her charisma. People respect her story and what she stood for.
5. She still lives on…
All these years later and people have gone on to design merch to remember her by. Her music has been pressed or repressed on vinyl. There are screenings of the biopic held in LA every year. There are Selena Nights, where people are encouraged to wear their favorite Selena outfits and dance to their favorite Selena songs. People dress up as her for Halloween. Forever 21, Hot Topic, and Urban Outfitters are just some of clothing companies that have gone on to sell new Selena merchandise. In 2017, Selena was honored with her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame right outside the Capitol Records building. MAC has gone on to release her makeup line that she dreamed of. They are preparing to launch round two. The Selena Museum in Corpus Christi, Texas is still going strong.
I started this website with the intentions of reminding people that music can be a positive thing in our lives. Sometimes bad things happen and it’s hard to focus on the good things we have, but we have to find a way to remind ourselves about the good things we do have. I think that is something that Selena has taught us.
If you have yet to listen to Selena, you can check out our playlist HERE. If you have yet to watch the biopic, you can rent or buy it HERE.
If there is one thing we have learned in the past 25 years about Selena is that her legacy will live on forever. Selena para siempre. -JL
