Selena, a Mexican-American music icon, died tragically 22 years ago, and people all over the world were honoring her legacy on the last day in March. Her impact is so huge, even non-Spanish speaking people and non-Latinx people are familiar with her songs! She was known as the Queen of Tejano, a traditionally male-dominated Spanish language genre popular among Mexican-Americans in Texas. It shared influences of country, polka, and jazz. If you grew up in Texas, you are probably at least slightly familiar with her. Although she mainly performed Tejano music, elements of funk, disco and rock were incorporated.  She also delved into the more traditional ranchera/mariachi genre with songs like “Tu, Solo Tu” and “Que Creias”. She had been preparing for an English crossover tour and album around the time of her death due to her smashing success. Dreaming of You was ultimately released posthumously which included some of her most well-known songs,” I Could Fall in Love” and the title track “Dreaming of You”. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, becoming the first album by a Hispanic artist to do so. Photo courtesy of The Huffington Post She got her start by performing with her family as Selena y Los Dinos and they remained part of her crew when she started recording solo. Her brother Abraham Quintanilla Jr. often produced and wrote her songs, and her sister Suzette played drums. She fell in love and eloped with the guitarist Chris Perez, who incorporated his heavy metal influence into some of her songs.  The family act helped further endear themselves to Selena’s multitude of fans captivated by both her magnetic stage presence and down-to-earth personality offstage. Not to mention, she was a fashion icon who had already opened a few boutiques. More than her commercial success, she meant so much to the Chicanx and Latinx communities as a whole. She was a symbol for success and she helped bridge the divide for many people who struggle in their identity as Mexican-American and preserving both cultures in their daily life. The Tejano music genre declined in popularity shortly after her death and has never regained popularity. Her legacy is kept alive in generations of Latinx who weren’t even born when she passed. She is, and always will be greatly missed. Written by: Isabel Perez