Becky G Remembers Selena’s Impact, 30 Years Later: ‘Her Legacy is to Admire, Respect, & Protect’

With her bubbly charm, dazzling aura and universal appeal, Selena Quintanilla revolutionized the Tejano genre in the ‘80s and ‘90s by lacing her authentic Mexican roots with bold new sounds such as R&B, pop, dance and rock. Known as the Queen of Tejano, she shattered ceilings in a genre that was dominated by men, and made history along the way. After earning four of her eventual seven No. 1 Hot Latin Songs hits in 1994 — “Donde Quieras Que Estes,” “Amor Prohibido,” “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” and “No Me Queda Más” — the Mexican-American powerhouse was well on her way to a major mainstream crossover before she was tragically shot dead on March 31, 1995, at the age of 23.

However, her music has stood the test of time — and, throughout the years, she’s influenced a new generation of hitmakers, making her a bona fide Latin icon in pop culture 30 years later. As a testament to her enduring legacy, Mexican-American artist Becky G speaks with Billboard about her love and admiration for Selena, and how she’s influenced her own career. Read her heartfelt as-told-to essay below:

I was born in 1997. That was two years after Selena’s passing. 

My mom actually remembers when they were doing the casting calls for the movie…she actually wanted to audition. Everyone loved Selena and identified with her. Having such a young mom, she naturally played for me the music she would listen to. I may not have vivid memories of Selena, but this is the way she was introduced to me. I even have baby videos listening to her music. She’s always been a part of my life. 

She’s influenced my career in so many ways. As a performer, she represented so much more than just herself. She started building a bridge for the 200 percenters like myself, who [are] no eran de aqui ni de alla (neither from here nor from there). Growing up, that identity crisis used to feel like such a curse for me. I felt that I wasn’t enough, and I felt that I had to sacrifice parts of myself to be accepted on this or that side. What Selena embodied was authenticity. She was so authentic in her sense of humor, the dreams that she had, and the way she connected with her family and fans. That’s something that we, as fans, crave today from our favorite artists, but it’s a lot easier said than done. 

At Coachella in 2023, I decided to pay tribute to her. A part of me does it for Little Becky, because I think what Little Becky saw in Selena was that dreams can come true, and it’s almost a celebration of being here and of her. First and foremost, I think it’s important that we recognize who came before us, and for me, it’s a beautiful thing to pay respect to the people you know you wouldn’t be here without. I truly feel that I wouldn’t be here without Selena. 

Throughout the years, I’ve been very blessed to have had many, many loving interactions with the Quintanillas. Suzette even became a pretty good friend of mine. This last tour that I was on, she came to see it, and she’s always been super supportive. I actually met [her] mom and dad at the Fiesta de la Flor Festival in Corpus Christi, and I’ll never forget that her dad couldn’t believe that I was going to perform without a band. I was just getting started! It’s always one of those things that he would tease me about. It’s been really cool to keep up with them. They’re truly dedicated to continuing her legacy, and I admire that about them. 

Now, going back to the word authenticity, she represents something that still resonates and is relevant today, which is that 200 percent identity. You should always be yourself no matter what, pochos and all! I feel that from the way she showed up in interviews to the way she did some of her most iconic performances to personal stories you hear from her loved ones, there was a common thread: it was her genuine kindness.

As an artist, you are overworked, you are depleted of your energy… but when you’re meant for it, you really do it with gratitude. Selena lived in abundance and was always giving back to the community, and always had the best of intentions. So many artists throughout the years since her passing may have reminded us of her essence, but there will never be another Selena. She was one of a kind — and that’s what makes a true superstar. Selena’s legacy is to admire, to respect, and to continue protecting, because she’s a light to so many of us.