. Selena received the Tejano Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year for nine consecutive years, beginning in 1987. She signed her first major contract with EMI Latin in 1989, releasing four Spanish-language albums which were milestones in the Latin music industry. EMI Latin then wanted her to release a crossover album, transitioning from Spanish- to English-language pop songs. On March 31, 1995, Selena was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldivar, her friend and the former manager of her boutiques