27 years have passed since the tragic murder of Selena Quintanilla. And in the years since, fans of The Queen of Tejano, old and new, have fallen in love with her songs and story. There is a film, Netflix seriesa Museum with merchand even a collaboration with MAC Cosmetics. New music has also been published over the years. Now more Selena content is on the way. Your estate falls a Posthumous album on August 26th. If you’re wondering, ‘How could there be new music?’ This is where technology comes into play. And while some fans have dreamed about it, others are a little more skeptical.
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How Selena’s voice was changed for a new album
In 1987, Selena recorded the love song Como Te Quiero Yo A Ti as part of her album Preciosa. After her death at the age of 23 in 1995, a re-recorded version of the song was released in a 2004 album. Now, almost 20 years later, another version of the song appears on a digital playlist near you. Courtesy of the Quintanilla family and Warner Music Latina.
It is part of a new 13-track album called Moonchild Mixes. This will also include two more remixes as well as 10 never-before-heard songs. The late Grammy winner’s family said Selena recorded most of her songs on vinyl between the ages of 13 and 16 – which has presented a challenge in updating her sound.
It took more than a year to update Selena’s vocals, her brother AB Quintanilla said. He added that he also “turned her vocals down” to try “to make her sound a little bit more mature.”
“It really feels like she went back into the studio and recorded it,” said Selena’s sister, Suzette Quintanilla abc news.
The family re-released Como Te Quiero Yo A Ti on July 29. And teased the upcoming album. Suzette said it was an attempt to breathe new life into her sister’s music for “a younger generation who are now admiring and falling in love with Selena again”. But not everyone agrees.
A way to honor Selena or take advantage of her?
It’s worth noting that posthumous albums are nothing new. See: McMiller, Notoriously BIG, Amy Winehouse. But with news of Selena’s upcoming album, some of her fans are asking questions about her family’s motives. Here’s what some people are posting on social media:
It is not the first time The Quintanilla family has been accused of still trying to cash in on Selena’s career and death. And have been very protective of their legacy – recently ended a legal battle with Selena’s widower, Chris Perez. But her siblings believe Selena would have been a fan of the new album. And defended it by saying: “What we do is honor their memory, their legacy. It’s all about this.”
the skimm
Decades after her death, Selena remains a popular star for generations. But her new album raises questions about how late singers should be remembered and honored. And where the line is between maintaining a legacy and exploiting it.