Selena Honored With RIAA Lifetime Achievement Award
The plaque recognizes her 17 million certified units, and precedes a new ‘This Shirt Saves Lives’ pledge drive supporting a renowned children’s hospital.
The latest honor for music icon Selena is an RIAA Lifetime Achievement Award. The Recording Industry Association of America recognized the Queen of Tejano Music’s 17 million certified units—including the highest certified Latin album of all time, the 62x Platino Dreaming of You—in a ceremony Monday at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The award comes in conjunction with the launch of a new St. Jude donation campaign in partnership with Selena’s family. Officially kicking off Friday and leading up to the International Day of the Child on June 8, the campaign is live now at www.StJude.org/Selena, offering donors a Selena-themed T-shirt reading “This Shirt Saves Lives” in exchange for a monthly pledge of at least $19 or a one-time donation of $228. The shirt was unveiled during Monday’s ceremony with the RIAA.
“The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) believes music can change lives, connecting generations and unifying those who speak different languages through shared emotion,” RIAA SVP, State Public Policy & Latin Music Rafael Fernandez Jr. said in a statement. “We have seen this as Latin Music in the US gains popularity as the fast-growing genre and through Selena’s legacy. Celebrating her lasting artistic vision and iconic voice with this plaque recognizing 17 million certified units and the highest RIAA-certified Latin album ever – 62x Platino Dreaming Of You – we thank Universal Music Latino’s support in reaching new fans and her sister Suzette and family for the ways you honor her memory through giving back. This special moment with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ahead of ‘Dia del Niño’ (International Day of the Child) reminds us of Selena’s passion for bettering the lives of children and encourages each of us to make an impact wherever we can.”
Selena’s sister, Suzette Quintanilla, offered her own statement on behalf of the family: “What an honor to continue to see Selena’s legacy impact the world still to this day! The partnership with St. Jude will give her fans an opportunity to help kids around the world, which was close to her heart, by getting this special shirt!”
Coinciding with the campaign launch, Selena’s sophomore album, Entre A Mi Mundo, will be released on vinyl for the first time this Friday. The 11x Platino collection features Selena’s signature hit “Como La Flor” and was the first Tejano album by a female artist to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Albums chart. The vinyl edition of Entre A Mi Mundo features remastered audio, updated mixes, and fresh artwork.
