Selena: Amor Prohibido Album Cover, 1994

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The album cover for musician Selena's Amor Prohibido shows how graphic design strategies in music promotion helped shape mainstream perceptions of Latino culture. Selena Quintanilla, known as the "Queen of Tejano Music," became a cultural icon, not only for her groundbreaking music but also for her ability to represent Mexican-American identity on a global stage. The cover, with its sleek design and fashion-forward presentation, blends elements of her heritage with modern sensibilities, symbolizing the merging of cultures.

The production of this CD played a crucial role in mass mediating Selena’s identity and, by extension, a broader Latino identity, to a diverse audience. It helped position her as a symbol of Latino pride, while also making Latino culture more accessible and desirable to mainstream audiences. The mass media coverage of Selena’s life and music amplified her role as an icon, making her a common name in conversations about the Latino experience in the U.S. and how media shapes personal and collective identities.

1994 album cover for Selena's "Amor Prohibido"
Source: pitchfork.com
1994 album cover for Selena's "Amor Prohibido"