Selena Quintanilla Honored With RIAA Lifetime Achievement & More Uplifting Moments in Latin Music

From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week.

RIAA Honors Selena Quintanilla

The tejano superstar was honored with an RIAA Lifetime Achievement plaque in recognition of 17 million certified units across her career, including 62x Platino Dreaming of You — marking the highest certified Latin album. The honor was presented at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on April 21, “paying tribute to the enduring impact of her music and cultural legacy,” according to a press release.

“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.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.”

Jimmy Humilde Goes to Harvard

The founder and CEO of powerhouse indie label Rancho Humilde was the keynote speaker for the event Into the Music, which took place at Harvard University last week. Organized by Harvard-Radcliffe Raza and NEON16, the West Coast-based executive shared his vision regarding Mexican music, Chicano identity, and the role of the Latin community in the United States.

“I didn’t go to college, but I totally understand the crucial role that academia fulfills in our society,” Humilde said during his speech, according to a press release. “As Latinos, we all have a responsibility in the fight for the recognition of our roots, our traditions, and our culture. It’s critical that more young people in our community access quality education at universities such as Harvard. That not only opens doors on an individual level, but it also makes us stronger as a community.”

Ivy Queen Teams Up With Wendy’s

Ivy Queen’s trailblazing trajectory in the industry has recently inspired Wendy’s latest campaign in Puerto Rico, which seeks to inspire authenticity. The reggaetón icon is the new voice of Wendy’s Presents the Breakfast Baconator with next-level ‘flow.’

“Ivy Queen represents a milestone in the world of urban music,” Wendy’s chief marketing officer Lizmarie Medina said in a statement. “She’s the undisputed ‘Queen’ who paved the way for other women and is recognized for her impact and legacy in the genre, for being ‘real,’ daring, and authentic, similar to what we do at Wendy’s. We break molds and make bold decisions in the face of industry challenges.”

Check out the commercial in Spanish here.

Noel Schajris at Barnes & Noble

As of May 2, Noel Schajris’ recordings will be available exclusively at Barnes & Noble throughout the U.S., including vinyl and collector’s CDs. According to a press release, the Argentine singer-songwriter becomes the first artist with an independent label to have national distribution at the bookseller.

“For me it is an immense honor to be able to present my album work alongside a brand like Barnes & Noble,” Schajris said in a statement. “To be able to bring these albums to those fans who love the physical product, the art, the booklets, the smell of the paper… that’s priceless. It’s a way to keep the essence of music alive as a tangible experience.”

2025 Latin Women in Music is a Wrap

The third annual Billboard Latin Women in Music took place Thursday (April 24) where Anitta, Belinda, Celia Cruz, Chiquis, Ha*Ash, Natti Natasha, Olga Tañón and Selena Gomez were honored for their groundbreaking careers and contributions to Latin music.

Watch the pink carpet livestream here and check out all things 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music here.