The goal of the album was to be introductory into the international Latin music market, with future sights into an English-language crossover.

Beginning with Selena, the singer and her band began experimenting with various genres that led to the introduction of cumbia music.

The album spawned three singles, "Contigo Quiero Estar", "Mentiras", and a Spanish-language version of a Japanese song called "Sukiyaki".

[3] Abraham expressed in an interview how he forgot to sign it, and noticed how Guerra stopped asking him about the contract after Selena became more popular.

[3] At the 1989 Tejano Music Awards, Selena was approached by Rick Trevino to be the opening act after La Sombra declined the offer.

[3] Jose Behar of newly formed EMI Latin and the heads of Sony Music attended the awards ceremony and were scouting for new acts.

[5] Abraham chose EMI Latin's offer because of the potential for a crossover, and he wanted his children to be the first musicians to sign with the company.

[10] Behar thought EMI Records and the public did not believe that a Mexican-American woman could have "crossover potential" after Charles Koppelman denied the project.

"[14] The goal of Selena was to be an introductory into the international Latin music market, with future sights into an English-language crossover.

[15] Ojeda bought a Roland D-50 synthesizer; at the time of one of the most popular keyboards, which contributed to the overall "flashy" sounds in the album.

[13] Selena incorporates a range of contemporary genres with a mix of cumbia and regional styles of Mexican music.

found "Besitos" as the "pivotal point [in Selena's career]" because of the introduction of cumbia music, a genre the band used heavily in subsequent releases.

[13] "Besitos" became a platform for the group in producing more cumbia-flavored tracks in Selena's second studio release, Ven Conmigo (1990).

[13] The group decided to hire professional studio accordions after Vela's "cringy" sounding instrument was brought to the band's attention.

desperately needed more materials to record for Selena, Vela wrote some parts for a song called "Tengo Ganas de Llorar".

remained the singer's principle record producer and songwriter, he did not compose "Sukiyaki" (Abraham/Astudillo), "Contigo Quiero Estar" (Alejandro Montealegre), and "No Te Vayas" (Reinaldo Ornelas).

[17] The singer chose an outfit that her mother believed would upset her conservative father, and Cubillos had to distract Selena from looking at Abraham Quintanilla throughout the photoshoot.

"[15] He claimed in retrospect that he regretted Selena's makeup and wished he had washed it off because "she's not a model, she's not anything but a nice, fresh young woman with talent.

"[15] Because the album was released on a major record label, Selena expected presentation to a larger, global audience.

[13] EMI Latin's marketing team "worked the radio stations as no independent producer had before" to deliver Selena "more chart action than she'd ever enjoyed.

"[17] An April 1989 survey found "Contigo Quiero Estar" as the most-played song on Tejano radio stations in the Corpus Christi area for two weeks.

[11] During the twenty-year celebration of Selena-released music, Selena was repackaged and re-made available for physical and digital purchase on September 22, 2002.

[25] This limited-edition version included Selena's top 20 single "La Bamba" from (1987), as well as spoken liner notes with commentary and recollections of each track provided by the singer's family, friends, and band.

"[11] The album's tour sent Selena to Arizona, New Mexico, Indiana, Illinois, Washington state, and Florida, areas where she had not been in prior demand.

"[29] Selena's popularity increased following the album's success and her provocative image made her a musical sex icon.