Urban Latino: Jennifer Peña

Home/Blog, Samples/Urban Latino: Jennifer Peña

When you think of Tejano music today, it is hard not to think of Jennifer Peña. The young singer burst onto the scene in 1995 as the youngest artist to pay tribute to the late Tejano queen, Selena. Although Peña started singing since the tender age of five, she never thought of it as a career goal. She simply sang old country hits at family functions and sang for different events at her elementary school.

When her idol was killed in 1995, Peña sent a condolence video tape to Selena’s parents. The tape featured 11-year old Peña singing some of Selena’s hits like “Bidi Bidi Bom” and “Amor Prohibido.”

When started as a tribute and gesture to Selena’s parents, ended up as the launching pad for Peña’s own career.

Selena’s father, Abraham Quintanilla, was touched by the little girl’s gesture, but was amazed at her soulful voice that had a power beyond her years. Before she knew it, Peña was performing for 33,000 people at the Houston Astrodome tribute for the deceased singer.

Quintanilla served as Peña’s manager for the first seven years of her career and helped her release her first three albums. Peña also added her talent as the singing voice of the young Selena to Gregory Nava’s biographical film, Selena.

Now, almost 10 years later, the beautiful songstress has five albums under her belt. Her latest, Seducción, hit stores in May. Tejano Fans will remember Jennifer’s success with her last certified platinum album, Libre.

The first single off Libre, “El Dolor de Tu Presencia” earned Peña the Best Female Performer of the year and Best Female Artist of the Year awards at the first edition of the South Texas Music Awards, as well as a nomination for Best Mexican/ Mexican-American Album for the 2003 Grammys.

The hit also held the number one spot on Billboard Magazine’s “Hot Latin Tracks” chart for a cool eight weeks. The Univision artist also sang the official theme song for the network’s coverage of World Cup 2002, “Vamos al Mundial” earning her international exposure.

n addition to nominations and awards, Peña also sang for President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush for a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at the White House. Peña is also turning to the possibility of a future career in Hollywood. The singer recently relocated to California for acting classes after her song, “Tu Me Completas” was chosen as the theme song for a popular novela. Maria Celina.

–Ashley Cisneros
*****************************************************************************
Ashley Cisneros is a co-founder of Chatter Buzz Media, an Orlando Internet marketing firm that helps companies and organizations engage with their target markets through inbound marketing via the Internet. Chatter Buzz Media, which won the Social Madness competition for the Orlando small business market, is a full-service digital marketing firm specializing in website design, search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing and content creation. Prior to founding Chatter Buzz, Ashley worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine editor, technical writer, marketing manager, public relations practitioner and freelance journalist. To see Ashley’s content writing, visit www.ashleycisneros.com. You can also reach Ashley on her Google profile.

By | 2017-04-28T07:32:46+00:00 June 4th, 2004|Categories: Blog, Samples|Tags: , , , , , , |0 Comments

About the Author:

Ashley Cisneros Mejia is a journalist, entrepreneur and marketer. She began her career as a newspaper reporter and later as an editor at Florida Trend business magazine. Ashley has worked as a professional freelance writer since 2009, as a technical writer, marketing manager, and public relations practitioner. She also founded two digital marketing agencies in Orlando. Named one of Orlando’s 40 Under 40 and honored by the Women’s Executive Council of Orlando for achievements in media and communications, Ashley earned a B.S. in Journalism and an M.S. in Entrepreneurship at the University of Florida.

Leave A Comment