Instagram @abquintanilla3
A.B. Quintanilla III, renowned Tejano musician and former member of Selena y Los Dinos, recently made headlines after a fiery rant during his performance at the Tejano Explosion 2024 music festival in San Antonio, Texas, on April 27. The incident, captured in a TikTok video that has since gone viral, showcased Quintanilla addressing the crowd with raw emotion. The Grammy-winning musician apologized for his action in a personal video shared on Instagram.
In the viral TikTok video, Quintanilla expressed frustration at the perceived lack of energy from the audience. He passionately stated, “Like somebody put a gun to your head and forced you to be here tonight, you know what I’m saying? And that feels horrible as a musician to work so hard over all these years to bring you hits, and you guys come here, and you can’t even raise your hands to clap or be happy, man.” The musician’s expletive-filled rants and fans’ reactions were all caught on camera.
Quintanilla, who traveled from Las Vegas to perform at the festival, didn’t hold back. He declared, “For me, I’ll take my music somewhere else. Not here in San Antonio. This is the last Tejano Explosion I’ll ever do.” His frustration extended to the crowd’s lack of support for Tejano music, comparing it to their unwavering loyalty to the Dallas Cowboys, despite the team’s perennial losses. “Just like you support the Dallas Cowboys, who lose every year, you should support your bands and Tejano music, OK?” he urged.
As the video continued, some in the crowd voiced their opinions, but Quintanilla remained undeterred. “Y’all can boo me all y’all want. I don’t care. That doesn’t affect me,” he asserted. “Boo yourselves for not participating in the show. I’m trying to show y’all love through music, man. Come on, man. Y’all show a little bit of love. … Y’all are sitting there like y’all don’t even want to party or nothing, man. You know what, whatever y’all want to do. It’s all good on me. It’s all good.”
In a subsequent Instagram post, Quintanilla apologized for his outburst, acknowledging that his emotions got the best of him. He also opened up about a recent health scare and the importance of mental health awareness.
In the heartfelt video, Quintanilla apologized for an incident that occurred at his concert. He expressed remorse, stating, “I want to apologize for my words, my actions, what I said.” He revealed that he had recently undergone a health scare, including a biopsy for a potential cancer diagnosis, which thankfully turned out to be negative.
Quintanilla also opened up about his mental health struggles, sharing that he is bipolar and has been dealing with other mental health issues since the passing of his sister, Selena. He explained, “I became bipolar, OCD, ADD, PSTD. I’m on the spectrum, basically.” He attributed his outburst at the concert to a lapse in his medication regimen due to his recent health scare, leading to a public bipolar episode.
He reassured his fans that he is now back on his medication and expects to regain balance soon. He asked for understanding and forgiveness, saying, “I hope that you can find it in your heart to please forgive me.” Despite the unfortunate incident, Quintanilla expressed his love for his fans and the city of San Antonio, promising to see them soon at upcoming concerts. He concluded by saying, “Once again, I apologize from the bottom of my heart. Love you guys a lot. And I’m just glad that I’m okay. And I know, you know, with my meds, I’ll be okay.”
Fans responded with empathy and encouragement, appreciating his vulnerability and commitment to his craft.
The incident at Tejano Explosion 2024 serves as a reminder that artists, like everyone else, face personal struggles and emotional challenges. Quintanilla’s candid video sheds light on the pressures of performing and the impact it can have on mental well-being.
As the Tejano community processes this moment, it’s essential to continue supporting our beloved musicians while also recognizing their humanity. A.B. Quintanilla’s apology and openness provide an opportunity for growth and understanding within the Tejano music scene.
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