Savani Quintanilla belongs to one of the most influential families in Tejano and Latin music, but his career is not simply built on a famous surname. Known professionally as Svani Quintanilla and Principe Q, he has created his own place as a music producer and DJ with a strong interest in experimental cumbia.
As the son of A.B. Quintanilla III and the nephew of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, he grew up close to music production, live performance and Mexican-American culture. Instead of copying the sound associated with his family, he began combining traditional cumbia rhythms with electronic effects, trap drums and the slowed-down style of Texas hip-hop. His work shows how a younger member of the Quintanilla family is carrying its musical heritage into a different creative era.
Quick Bio
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Svani Quintanilla |
| Common Name | Savani Quintanilla |
| Stage Name | Principe Q |
| Profession | Music producer and DJ |
| Nationality | American |
| Father | A.B. Quintanilla III |
| Mother | Evangelina “Vangie” Almeida |
| Famous Relative | Selena Quintanilla-Pérez (aunt) |
| Music Style | Cumbia, electronic music and hip-hop |
| Known For | Developing the experimental Screwmbia sound |
Who Is Savani Quintanilla?
Savani Quintanilla is an American music producer, DJ and creative artist. His first name is written as Svani on his official music pages, although the spelling Savani has become common across entertainment websites.
He releases music under the name Principe Q. This stage identity separates his work from the public image of the Quintanilla family and gives him room to experiment with different sounds.
Principe Q is closely connected with a modern cumbia movement known as Screwmbia. The style combines the familiar pulse of cumbia with slow tempos, deep bass, chopped samples and urban percussion.
His music is designed for listeners who appreciate Latin traditions but also enjoy electronic music, hip-hop and club culture. Rather than remaining within one genre, he uses production technology to create a bridge between these different musical worlds.
Svani has also worked with other independent musicians from Texas and the wider Latin music scene. These collaborations have helped him develop a career based on shared creativity rather than family recognition alone.
Growing Up in the Quintanilla Music Family
Svani is the son of A.B. Quintanilla III, an experienced musician, songwriter and record producer. A.B. played bass in Selena y Los Dinos and played an important role in creating many of Selena’s best-known recordings.
After Selena’s death in 1995, A.B. continued his career by forming Kumbia Kings. The group introduced a modern mixture of cumbia, pop, hip-hop and rhythm and blues to a large international audience. He later created Kumbia All Starz and continued producing music for other performers.
This family background gave Svani an unusual understanding of the music business. He was raised around recording sessions, musicians, instruments and the practical work required to complete a song.
His aunt, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, remains one of the most recognised Tejano singers in history. Her ability to combine Tejano music with pop and dance elements helped her connect with audiences across cultural and language boundaries.
Selena’s “Techno Cumbia” is especially relevant to Svani’s creative direction. The song showed that cumbia could be changed through modern beats while keeping its cultural character. Years later, Principe Q took a different but related approach by combining the genre with underground electronic sounds and Texas hip-hop techniques.
Being part of such a recognised family can create both opportunities and pressure. The Quintanilla name attracts attention, but it also invites comparisons with artists who achieved major success.
Svani has handled that situation by developing a sound that does not attempt to replace or imitate Selena’s work. His music reflects the same willingness to experiment, but the final result belongs to a newer generation.
How Principe Q Developed the Screwmbia Sound
The most important part of Savani Quintanilla’s career is his involvement in Screwmbia. The name combines cumbia with the “chopped and screwed” production style that developed within the Texas hip-hop scene.
Chopped and screwed music often slows down an original recording and repeats selected parts of it. Producers may lower the pitch, stretch vocal sections or interrupt the rhythm to create a heavier atmosphere.
Principe Q applies some of these methods to cumbia. He keeps the central dance rhythm but surrounds it with slow bass, distorted samples, trap drums and electronic textures.
The result feels different from mainstream cumbia. It can be darker, more experimental and strongly connected to nightlife. However, the genre’s Latin foundation remains clear.
His Screwmbia series became an early demonstration of this approach. Screwmbia Vol. 1 and Screwmbia Vol. 3 were released in 2018, presenting compact collections of tracks built around his developing production style.
These releases were important because they gave his musical idea a clear identity. Screwmbia was not simply a single remix or temporary experiment. It became a recognisable creative direction connected with Principe Q’s name.
The music also reflects the multicultural nature of Texas. Mexican-American communities have long created new styles by combining family traditions with the sounds surrounding them. Svani’s work continues that process through modern digital production.
Releases, Collaborations and Career Highlights
Principe Q has developed a catalogue that includes original recordings, remixes, collaborative singles and independent projects. His music has appeared across major streaming services as well as platforms supporting independent artists.
In 2017, he appeared on “Flamin’ Hot Chido” from Gio Chamba’s album Tejas. The collaboration placed him alongside another act known for combining cumbia with electronic and urban music.
His work expanded in 2018 through the Screwmbia releases. These projects introduced tracks such as “El Mal Necesario”, “La Gallina”, “Jarabe” and “Cumbia del Trabajador”.
In 2019, he joined Gio Chamba on “La Futura”. The following year brought further activity, including “SurNorte” and the single “Cumbia Ninja”. These recordings strengthened his connection with artists reshaping Latin dance music in Texas.
Another important release was the Flores Verdes EP in 2021. The project contained “Flores Verdes” and “Fin de Satanas”. It was produced by Svani and also received a limited vinyl edition.
The EP presented him as more than a performer attached to a famous family. It showed his ability to manage the production of a focused independent release with a distinct sound and visual identity.
He has also collaborated with performers including El Dusty, Jannexee Serrano, Mexstep, Coffeeleaf and Tarasco Tropical. His collaborative credits include “Put My Cumbia on You”, “Me Vale”, “The Eagle” and “Vuela Pajarito”.
These partnerships are an important part of his career. Independent music scenes often grow through producers, DJs and performers exchanging ideas. Svani’s collaborations connect him with a wider group of artists exploring cumbia, hip-hop and electronic music.
Recent Projects and His Place in Modern Cumbia
The career of Savani Quintanilla has continued through a steady flow of new material. In November 2024, Principe Q released Club Cumbia Pack, a five-track project created for energetic dance settings.
The collection featured “Cumbia Tropical (Q Redrum)”, “Azucar”, “Juana La Raver”, “TGI-Venao” and “Cinderella (Q Bootleg)”. The project demonstrated his ability to transform familiar musical ideas into club-focused cumbia versions.
He also developed the Rhinestone Cowboy series. Several volumes arrived between 2024 and 2025, giving him another space for remixes and production experiments.
His 2025 releases included Tráfico, “Goodbye”, “Recuerdos”, “Dime”, “No Soy Emo” and “Squabble Up”. This level of activity showed that Principe Q was continuing to expand his catalogue rather than depending only on his earlier Screwmbia projects.
In March 2026, he released the 13-track album Ayer Estabas Sonriendo. The album marked one of his largest projects and added greater depth to his work as an independent producer.
He was also included in the South by Southwest music schedule in March 2026. Appearing within an event known for presenting emerging and independent talent placed his sound before a wider industry audience.
Svani’s importance comes from the way he treats cumbia as a flexible form. He does not remove its cultural foundation. Instead, he experiments with speed, bass, structure and modern production tools.
This approach can help traditional music remain relevant without turning it into a copy of current pop trends. His work gives younger audiences a way to connect with cumbia through the sounds of clubs, digital platforms and modern Texas culture.
Conclusion
Savani Quintanilla inherited a meaningful connection to Tejano and Latin music, but his own career follows a less traditional route. As Principe Q, he has built an identity through music production, DJ work, collaboration and a willingness to reshape cumbia.
His work respects the influence of A.B. Quintanilla III and Selena without attempting to repeat their careers. By mixing Latin rhythms with electronic music and Texas hip-hop, Svani is contributing his own sound to the Quintanilla family’s continuing musical story.
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(FAQs)
Who is Savani Quintanilla?
Savani, officially known as Svani Quintanilla, is an American music producer and DJ. He performs under the name Principe Q and is known for his experimental cumbia work.
Who are his parents?
His father is musician and producer A.B. Quintanilla III. His mother is commonly identified as Evangelina “Vangie” Almeida, A.B.’s first wife.
How is Svani related to Selena Quintanilla?
He is Selena Quintanilla-Pérez’s nephew. Selena was the younger sister of his father, A.B. Quintanilla III.
What is Principe Q known for?
Principe Q is best known for producing Screwmbia, a style that combines cumbia with slowed-down Texas hip-hop, electronic effects and trap-inspired drums.
What music has he released?
His work includes the Screwmbia series, Flores Verdes EP, Club Cumbia Pack, the Rhinestone Cowboy series and Ayer Estabas Sonriendo. He has also released several singles and collaborations.
Is Svani Quintanilla still making music?
Yes. His catalogue continued expanding during 2025 and 2026 with new singles, projects and live appearances.
