Selena Quintanilla-Perez was born April 16^th, 1971 in Jackson Lake, Texas. She was most famously known for her career as a singer and songwriter, however, she was also an accomplished fashion designer, spokesperson, and model. Considered the “Queen of Tejano music”, Selena was an incredibly influential Latin artist. Tejano is a genre of music which incorporates both Mexican and American styles and originated in Texas and Mexico in the mid 19^thcentury. [1] She was celebrated for being an American music influence while always remaining true to her Mexican roots. Selena was introduced to the world of music in 1980 when she began singing with her siblings in their group named “Selena y Los Dinos.” She went solo in 1982 and released her first album seven years later after signing with EMI Latin. Her 1992 album landed the number one spot on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums where it remained for months. This album was considered the breakthrough of Selena’s musical career, sending her on her way to become the top-selling Latin artist of the 1990’s. In the same year, Selena married Chris Perez, whom she would be married to for three years before her death. On March 31^st, 1995, Selena was shot and killed in Corpus Christi, Texas. The shooter, Yolanda Saldivar, was both the president of Selena’s fan club and the manager of her fashion boutiques. She was about to be charged with embezzlement and shot Selena in a hotel room after a disagreement about financial documents. [2]

Selena can be considered one of the most influential Latin artists of all time. She had a great impact on the world of music with her unique style, which was a blend of pop and Latin music. She was the recipient of countless awards including:

• 1987 Tejano Music Awards “Best Female Vocalist of the Year” and “Performer of the Year”
• Her 1990 album was the first Tejano record to sell over 500,000 copies
• #19 on NPR’s list of “150 Best Women-Made Albums of All Time”
• #1 on Billboard’s 1992 Regional Mexican Albums
• 1993 Grammy Award for “Best Mexican-American Album” [2]

Selena was young and full of life, which made her relatable for the younger audience in addition to the older audience that appreciated her talent. She was a leader of Latinos, and was proud of her heritage. [3] Not only was Selena an incredible musician, but she was also passionate about being involved in her community and was named the Coca-Cola spokesperson for the state of Texas. She left an impressive legacy when she died and was even compared to greats like Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley. Selena was honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star on November 3^rd, .2017. [4]

Selena influenced many artists in her time, as well as those who came after. Such musicians include Whitney Houston, Demi Lovato, Beyoncé, Paula Deanda and Selena Gomez. [5] Her unique style of music and immense talent at a young age made her an inspiration to other artists at the time, and also for those who grew up listening to her music in their homes.

Selena’s influence on popular culture was most evident through her music. After seeing Selena (the film about the life of Selena made after her passing), Demi Lovato was instantly inspired by the star. Demi has said, “When I saw the movie, there was just some sort of connection.” [5] Many other artists were inspired by Selena’s work and Latin artists, in particular, were motivated to follow in her footsteps. Her unique musical blend of Latin and pop was carried on through other artists and can even be heard in current hits on the radio. Aside from her music, Selena also influenced modern day popular culture through her style. Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, and Kylie Jenner have all stated Selena as one of their fashion icons. [6] Kim Kardashian even once recreated one of Selena’s iconic looks, a form-fitting purple jumpsuit, as her Halloween costume.

I have chosen to include the music video to Selena’s song “Dreaming of You,” written by Franne Golde and Tom Snow, and produced by Guy Roche. Selena recorded “Dreaming of You” less than a month before her death, and it was released the following August. The song is considered a pop ballad with a slower beat and she sings it with much depth and emotion. “Dreaming of You” is one of Selena’s few English tracks, but she was still able to include some of her ethnic style which she was so famous for.

I believe Selena should be included in our textbook. Although her musical career was cut short by her tragic death, she accomplished many achievements and was the recipient of numerous awards for her talent. She did this all at a very young age, which is impressive in itself, and was able to inspire young listeners as well as old. Selena was a role model for her fans and a trailblazer for other Latino musicians. She ultimately found success for herself by following her own beat and remaining true to her Tejano roots.

Source list:

[1] The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Tejano Music.” Encyclopaedia Britannica. Accessed August 9, 2018. https://www.britannica.com/art/Tejano-music

[2] Biography.com Editors. “Selena Biography.” Biography. April 2, 2014. Accessed August 7, 2018. https://www.biography.com/people/selena-189149.

[3] Desta, Yohana. “Forever Selena: How a Fallen Icon’s Legacy Has Kept Her Alive.” Vanity Fair. March 21, 2017. Accessed August 7, 2018. https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/03/selena-film-anniversary.

[4] Segarra, Lisa Marie. “Selena Honored With Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.” Time. November 4, 2017. Accessed August 9, 2018. http://time.com/5010432/where-is-selena-quintanilla-star-in-hollywood/

[5] Arreola, Cristina. “How Selena Quintanilla Inspired 8 Other Celebs.” Latina. June 9, 2014. Accessed August 7, 2018. http://www.latina.com/celebrity/celebrities-inspired-selena-quintanilla

[6] Reyes, Raul A. “Selena Forever: Iconic Tejano Star’s Legacy Lives on 23 Years after Her Death.” NBC News. March 31, 2018. Accessed August 7, 2018. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/selena-forever-anniversary-tejano-star-stays-relevant-iconic-beloved-n861521.

Photos:

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/143622675600007617/?lp=true

https://www.popsugar.com/latina/What-Meaning-Behind-Selena-Quintanilla-Name-43688943

http://www.vivala.com/arts-culture/selena-performing-live-on-stage/4552

“Payola” is a term used to describe the transfer of money as bribery for a product or service to be seen as more in demand or popular. In the 1950’s, payola primarily referred to bribery used within the commercial radio industry. In the USA, it is legal for label companies to pay to have their music played more often on a commercial radio channel, however, it must be explicitly stated to viewers beforehand. In contrast, the practice of payola does not involve disclosing this information to viewers, which is why it was considered fraud.

In the 1950’s, the number of disc jockeys was increasing drastically. Due to the newly competitive nature of the field, DJs began accepting payment in secret and the rise of payola began.

In November of 1959, the government intervened after media companies began pointing fingers. After beginning the investigation, 335 DJs admitted to accepting money from record labels to play their music on air. Alan Freed and Dick Clarke, two very influential DJs at the time, however, both denied ever accepting bribery.

Due to Freed’s rough exterior and abrasive personality, he was easily singled out by the government. His close relationships with black musicians made it hard to believe that he did not have any sort of inside deals with them, and he was later charged with criminal bribery on 26 different counts.

Clark, on the other hand, was clean cut and was described as reserved and very polite. After the trials had ended, he admitted to cutting connections with any individuals or companies that could be incriminating and managed to escape the trial without any charges against him.

In 1960, after the government trials, changes were made to the Federal Communications Act, stating that it must be disclosed to viewers if a broadcast was sponsored. This is the same law that remains in America today. Current day payola has become more sophisticated and is now referred to as “corporate sponsorship”. This involves the partnership between large corporations (such as Pepsi and Dr. Pepper) and music labels to sponsor artists and promote their work.

Payola – both new and old – affects the music we are exposed to by only playing music by artists that can either afford to pay under the table, or are able to attain sponsorships from large companies. Because of this, payola is definitely a negative influence in the world of music. New artists may be unable to become successful due to the inability to pay for views or they may fail to attract corporations for sponsorships. This causes the radio to become homogeneous, which is unappealing to viewers. Additionally, payola hurts both radio stations and artists that refuse to partake in bribery.

Source list:

Hutchinson, Lydia. “Alan Freed and the Radio Payola Scandal.” Performing Songwriter. August 20, 2015. Accessed July 17, 2018. http://performingsongwriter.com/alan-freed-payola-scandal/.

Owsinski, Bobby. “Artist Sponsorship is Today’s Payola.” Music 3.0. January 19, 2017. Accessed July 17, 2018. http://music3point0.com/2017/01/19/artist-sponsorship-todays-payola/

McDonald, Heather. “Payola: Influencing the Charts.” The Balance Careers. June 3, 2018. Accessed July 17, 2018. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/payola-influencing-the-charts-2460759

Josephine Baker was born June 3^rd, 1906 in St. Louis, Missouri. Baker was an activist, French Resistance agent, and dancer, although best she is remembered as an elite entertainer. Her 1927 Un Vent de Folie performance became iconic in Paris and is still considered one of the main highlights of her career and a quintessential symbol of the Jazz age of the 1920’s. Baker’s risqué performances earned her many nicknames, the most popular among them being “Black Pearl, “Bronze Venus”, and “Creole Goddess”. As her fame increased, she was offered many film roles, including the 1934 film Zouzou, in which she portrayed the lead role. Not only was Baker successful in the arts, she also had key contributions regarding the Civil Rights Movement. These efforts earned her the Croix de Guerre, awarded to her by the French Military.

Josephine Baker moved to New York City during the Harlem Renaissance to continue her career as a performer. During this time, she earned herself many esteemed roles on Broadway, such as Shuffle Along (1921) and The Chocolate Dandies (1924). She was dubbed the highest paid chorus girl in her time, and was even offered to continue touring in her homeland of Paris. Baker’s many successes in show business signaled a breakthrough for black performers and paved the way for others to succeed in her footsteps.

As her career of performing continued to take her to the top, Baker could be seen as a trailblazer for women in her field. Her erotic and exotic style of dancing, which aided in the sexual empowerment of women, may have stemmed from early acts of feminism. Her successful tour proved that nothing could slow her down, and it is even recorded that Ernest Hemingway named her the “most sensational woman anyone ever saw”.

When Baker starred in Zouzou, she was also the first person of colour to lead a major motion picture. This endeavour opened another door for her, landing her roles in eight more films to follow.

Perhaps one of Josephine Baker’s distinctive characteristics was her ability to dance the Charleston. Her performance of this dance during a show in Paris may be considered a pivotal moment in her life which kick-started her career in the world of song and dance. Her unique way of presenting the dance was incomparable and earned her an aesthetic that was entirely her own, which she became known for in the 1920’s.

Musical stage entertainment gave Baker the opportunity to influence the world of performance with her style and mannerisms. This career took her to the top, where she was then able to expand her influence on the entire world through involvement in not only song and dance, but through activism and humanitarian work as well. It was because of her days as a stage entertainer that she was able to harness much fame and glory and use it in ways that many celebrities at the time did not.

The beginning of the Second World War caused Josephine Baker’s career to change drastically. In 1939, she was recruited by the French Military Intelligence as an honorable correspondent, with the responsibility and goal of gaining insider information from other countries and bringing it back to her own. Her career as a spy was made successful by the use of her charming personality that allowed her to lure in government officials and other VIPs. Alongside her work as a spy, Baker also housed supporters of the French Free movement and even aided in it herself.

In 1963, Baker built on what she was now known for from WWII, by participating in the March on Washington. She was the only woman who gave a speech, which she did while proudly wearing her Resistance uniform. In her speech, she shared personal life events and enforced the idea of empowering people of colour in a country where the issue of racial segregation was at the forefront.

Josephine Baker’s influence on the world of music was immeasurable. As a jazz icon in the 1920’s and a symbol of black culture, she changed the face of the genre in Paris and arguably all of Europe. Her accomplishments may even be considered all the more impressive considering she was a woman of colour who did indeed live multiple years in an almost completely racially segregated country. Although most of her career took place in Europe, it is evident that Baker’s musical influence did not stop at the French border. The years she lived in America were some of her most successful, including her notable performances on Broadway in New York City.

“You are on the eve of complete victory. You can’t go wrong. The world is behind you.” – Josephine Baker 

Sources:

http://www.redhotjazz.com/josephinebaker.html

https://www.biography.com/people/josephine-baker-9195959

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephine_Baker#Portrayals

http://www.1920s-fashion-and-music.com/josephine-baker.html

http://www.blackpast.org/1963-josephine-baker-speech-march-washington

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Josephine-Baker

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