A.B. Quintanilla facts for kids

Quick facts for kids A.B. Quintanilla III
Quintanilla in 2022
Born	Abraham Isaac Quintanilla III (1963-12-13) December 13, 1963 (age 61) Toppenish, Washington, U.S.
Other names	A.B. Quintanilla III A.B. Quintanilla 3 A.B. Quintanilla ABC Quintanilla III Abraham Quintanilla III Abe Quintanilla III Ibrahim L. Calderón DJ Ibrahim King of Kumbia King of Cumbia
Occupation	Record producer songwriter musician
Spouse(s)	Evangelina "Vangie" Almeida ​ ​ (m. 1988; div. 2000)​ Heather Grein ​ ​ (m. 2002; div. 2004)​ Brenda Ramírez ​ ​ (m. 2004; div. 2009)​ Rikkie Leigh Robertson ​ ​ (m. 2011; div. 2017)​ Ángela Orellano ​ (m. 2019)​
Partner(s)	Summer Clary (1998–2000)
Children	7 Martika Quintanilla (b. 1989) Svani Quintanilla (b. 1990) Gianni Mio Quintanilla (b. 1999) Abraham Isaac Quintanilla IV (b. 2002) Elijah Jae Quintanilla (b. 2004) Elrey Quintanilla (b. 2005) Justin Quintanilla (b. 2007) Madison Ramírez (b. 2001) (stepchild 2004–2009)
Parent(s)	Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr. (father) Marcella Ofelia Samora (mother)
Relatives	Suzette Quintanilla (sister) Selena Quintanilla (sister) Chris Pérez (brother-in-law)
Awards	See below
Musical career
Origin	Lake Jackson, Texas, U.S.
Genres	Cumbia Tejano Latin pop Reggae R&B
Instruments	Bass guitar guitar backing vocals
Years active	1981–present
Labels	Freddie Records (1981–1984) Cara Records (1985) GP Records (1986–1989) EMI Latin (1989–2009) Capitol Latin (2009–2012) Universal Music Latin Entertainment (2012–2016) DEL Records (2016–2024) D Luna Music (2024–present)

Abraham Isaac Quintanilla III (born December 13, 1963), known as A.B. Quintanilla III, is an American music producer, songwriter, and musician. He is often called the "King of Cumbia" because of his big impact on cumbia music.

A.B. is the older brother of the famous singer Selena, who was known as the "Queen of Tejano Music." He wrote and produced many of her hit songs. He also started the popular bands Kumbia Kings and Kumbia All Starz, writing and producing their songs while performing with them. He has also worked with many other artists.

In 1980, A.B. joined the band Los Dinos with Selena, his other sister Suzette, and their father Abraham. As a member of Los Dinos, A.B. played bass guitar. He also produced and wrote successful songs for Selena, like "Como la Flor" and "Amor Prohibido". After Selena's passing, he formed the bands Kumbia Kings and Kumbia All Starz.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Abraham Isaac Quintanilla III was born on December 13, 1963, in Toppenish, Washington. He is the oldest child of Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr. and Marcella Ofelia Quintanilla. He is the older brother of Suzette Quintanilla and the late Selena Quintanilla. Soon after he was born, A.B. and his parents moved to Lake Jackson, Texas. He grew up there, and his two younger sisters were born in that city.

While living in Lake Jackson, Texas, A.B. learned to play the guitar and bass. This helped him start his musical journey.

A.B. Quintanilla's Music Career

A.B. Quintanilla has had a long and successful career in music. He has worked as a musician, producer, and songwriter for many years.

Working with Los Dinos

A.B. joined the band Los Dinos with his sisters, Selena and Suzette, and their father, Abraham. The band became very successful. A.B. was also Selena's producer, helping her create her unique sound. He co-wrote many of Selena's hit songs. These included "Como la Flor" (meaning "Like the Flower") and "Amor Prohibido" (meaning "Forbidden Love"). These songs became very popular with fans.

After Selena: Kumbia Kings

After Selena's passing in 1995, A.B. was deeply affected. He helped produce "Como Te Extraño" (meaning "How I Miss You") for Pedro "Pete" Astudillo. This song was a tribute to Selena and Astudillo's late grandmother. It won an award for Best Song of the Year in 1996.

In 1999, A.B. Quintanilla formed a new band called the Kumbia Kings. This group blended cumbia music with pop music, creating a fresh sound. The Kumbia Kings became very popular. They went on international tours and released several successful CDs. They also appeared on popular TV shows. A.B. also produced music for other famous singers like Thalía and Alicia Villarreal.

In 2004, A.B. produced and arranged an album called A.B. Quintanilla III Presents Joe Lopez. This album featured songs like "Cuando Estoy Contigo" (meaning "When I Am with You") and "Soy Tan Feliz" (meaning "I'm So Happy"). A.B. co-wrote these songs with Luigi Giraldo.

Forming Kumbia All Starz

A.B. Quintanilla left the Kumbia Kings in mid-2006. He then started a new group called Kumbia All Starz in 2006. He was joined by new members and former Kumbia Kings members, including Chris Pérez (Selena's widower and A.B.'s brother-in-law) and Pee Wee.

The Kumbia All Starz quickly had hit songs like "Chiquilla", "Parece Que Va a Llover", and "Speedy Gonzales". This new group became very popular, especially in South America. They performed many concerts in Bolivia in 2014.

In 2016, A.B. Quintanilla signed with DEL Records. He reformed and renamed Kumbia All Starz to a new band called Elektro Kumbia. In 2017, they released a song called "Piña Colada Shot." Later in 2017, the band changed its name back to Kumbia All Starz.

As of June 2024, A.B. Quintanilla signed with D Luna Music as his new music label. Daniel Luna became his manager.

A.B. Quintanilla's Family Life

A.B. Quintanilla has been married five times. He married his current wife, Ángela Orellano, in September 2019.

Children and Grandchildren

A.B. Quintanilla has seven children: six sons and one daughter. They were born between 1989 and 2007. He also had a stepdaughter during one of his marriages.

• His daughter, Martika Quintanilla, was born in 1989.
• His son, Svani Quintanilla, was born in 1990.
• His son, Gianni Mio Quintanilla, was born in 1999.
• His son, Abraham Isaac Quintanilla IV, was born in 2002.
• His son, Elijah Jae Quintanilla, was born in 2004.
• His son, Elrey Quintanilla, was born in 2005.
• His son, Justin Quintanilla, was born in 2007.

A.B.'s third son, Abraham Quintanilla IV, appeared in the Kumbia Kings music video for their 2003 song "Insomnio". He also appeared on the album cover for Kumbia All Starz's 2006 album, Ayer Fue Kumbia Kings, Hoy Es Kumbia All Starz.

A.B. Quintanilla has one granddaughter, Yvie Quintanilla, who was born in 2017. She is the daughter of his son Svani Quintanilla.

Extended Family

A.B. Quintanilla has two brothers-in-law and a nephew through his sisters. His sister Selena was married to Chris Pérez from 1992 until her passing in 1995. Chris Pérez later joined A.B. in the bands Kumbia Kings and Kumbia All Starz. He performed with Kumbia Kings from 1998 to 2006 and with Kumbia All Starz from 2006 to 2010.

A.B.'s sister Suzette Quintanilla married Bill Arriaga in 1993. Suzette and Bill have a son named Jovan Arriaga, who was born in 1998. Jovan is A.B. Quintanilla's nephew. A.B. also has one grandnephew, Lincoln Arriaga, who was born in 2022. Lincoln is Jovan Arriaga's son.

A.B. Quintanilla's Music Albums

A.B. Quintanilla has been involved in many music albums throughout his career.

Albums with Selena

• Mis Primeras Grabaciones (1984)
• The New Girl In Town (1985)
• Alpha (1986)
• Muñequito de Trapo (1987)
• And the Winner Is... (1987)
• Preciosa (1988)
• Dulce Amor (1988)
• Selena (1989)
• Ven Conmigo (1990)
• Entre a Mi Mundo (1992)
• Selena Live! (1993)
• Amor Prohibido (1994)
• Dreaming of You (1995)

Albums with Kumbia Kings

• Amor, Familia y Respeto (1999)
• Shhh! (2001)
• All Mixed Up: Los Remixes (2002)
• 4 (2003)
• Presents Kumbia Kings (2003)
• La Historia (2003)
• Los Remixes 2.0 (2004)
• Fuego (2004)
• Duetos (2005)
• Kumbia Kings Live (2006)
• Greatest Hits (2007)
• Lo Mejor de A.B. Quintanilla III y Los Kumbia Kings (2016)

Albums with Kumbia All Starz

• Ayer Fue Kumbia Kings, Hoy Es Kumbia All Starz (2006)
• Planeta Kumbia (2008)
• La Vida de un Genio (2010)
• Blanco y Negro (2013)
• Éxitos en Vivo (2014)
• Elektro Kumbia (2017)

Awards and Nominations

A.B. Quintanilla has received many awards and nominations for his work in music.

See also

In Spanish: A.B. Quintanilla para niños

• Selena
• Los Dinos
• Kumbia Kings
• Kumbia All Starz
• Honorific nicknames in popular music
• Music of Texas
• Music of Latin America