19 years later // still dreaming of you, selena

Photo by Blanca Charolet. Nov. 1994

Today marks the 19th anniversary of Selena's death. On March 31, 1995, rising tejano singer Selena was tragically murdered by the former president of her fan club. But 19 years later, Selena is still remembered, still missed, and still relevant.

When I was growing up in the 1990s, my mother used to play her music all the time around the house. In fact, she still does. Whenever I visit home, you can find us singing and dancing along to Selena's voice. But it's always so bittersweet. Just as we get in the groove of one of her songs, we are quickly reminded that her promising life and talent were cut short. 

From her daring fashion choices to her musical style, Selena was ahead of her time.

So, let us look back at the talent that was Selena. 

As a pop-cumbia-rap fusion, "Techno cumbia" is a perfect example of how her sound would mix genres to produce something innovative, youthful, and artistic. And the music video even features her iconic purple cut-out dress! Enjoy.

Crop tops, anyone? Oh Selena, I'm still waiting for someone to make my heart go "Bidi bidi bom bom."

And this fan-favorite released posthumously in the summer of 1995.



Here's a video montage of her (with a little bit of JLo as Selena) set to "I could fall in love."

Lastly, a video blending various of her live performances of "Como la flor."


Rest in peace, Selena Quintanilla-Perez. Gone too soon, but remembered always. 
 
What is your favorite Selena song? Or better yet: what are your favorite Selena songs?