Savani Quintanilla, also known as Principe Q, is an American DJ, music producer, and sound engineer recognized for blending traditional Latin sounds with modern hip-hop influences. As the eldest son of A.B. Quintanilla III and nephew of Selena Quintanilla, he was born into one of the most influential families in Latin music — but his career stands out for a different reason: co-creating the experimental genre known as Screwmbia.
Rather than coasting on his family name, Savani has earned his reputation through underground DJ culture, hands-on production work, and genuine genre innovation. His music reflects a broader shift happening in modern Latin sound — where deep-rooted tradition meets forward-thinking production.
- American DJ, producer, and sound engineer known by the stage name Principe Q
- Eldest son of A.B. Quintanilla III and nephew of the late Selena Quintanilla
- Co-creator of the Screwmbia genre (cumbia + chopped-and-screwed hip-hop)
- Active in music through DJing, production, Selena remixes, and collaborations
- Estimated net worth between $3 million and $5 million
- Maintains a private lifestyle while growing independently in music
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Savani Quintanilla (also spelled Svani Quintanilla) |
| Date of Birth | November 27, 1991 |
| Age | 34 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Texas, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | DJ, Music Producer, Sound Engineer |
| Years Active | 2010s – Present |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (173 cm) |
| Parents | A.B. Quintanilla III, Evangelina Almeida |
| Siblings | Sister Martika Quintanilla; several half-siblings including Giani Quintanilla |
| Children | One daughter (Yvie) |
| Net Worth | $3 million – $5 million (estimated) |
| @principe_q |
Early Life & Background
Family and Musical Heritage
Savani Quintanilla grew up in a family where music wasn’t a hobby — it was the family business. His father, A.B. Quintanilla III, is a renowned producer and songwriter best known for founding the Kumbia Kings and later Kumbia All Starz. His aunt, the late Selena Quintanilla, remains one of the most iconic and beloved figures in Tejano music history, a cultural touchstone whose influence still resonates decades after her passing.
That environment gave Savani access to real studio experiences from a young age — the kind of exposure that formal education can rarely replicate. He didn’t just observe; he absorbed.
Childhood and Early Influences
Savani grew up in Texas — with some of his formative years spent in Corpus Christi, a city with deep roots in Latin music culture. When he was in fifth grade, his father placed a bass guitar in his hands, a moment that quietly set the direction of his entire career. Learning bass early gave him something most producers take years to develop: an instinctive feel for rhythm and low-end structure.
Surrounded by studios, rehearsals, and live performances throughout his childhood, Savani understood how music was built — not just performed. That distinction matters. It explains why his approach to production feels more architectural than accidental.
Education and Early Interests
During his school years, Savani was active in football, playing as a left tackle — a detail that says something about his discipline and physical commitment. But his long-term pull was always toward music. As he grew more involved in DJ culture and beat-making, sports became a secondary interest.
His musical education was almost entirely practical, shaped by time in home studios and through collaboration with other artists rather than any formal academic program. In that sense, his upbringing became his curriculum.
Career Journey
Early DJ Career and Underground Scene
Savani started out the way many respected DJs do — playing small venues, local clubs, and private events under the stage name Principe Q. Rather than rushing toward mainstream visibility, he prioritized developing his ear and building credibility within underground music circles where originality is valued over image.
That choice gave him room to experiment. It also earned him a kind of authenticity that’s difficult to manufacture later in a career.
Growth as a Producer and Sound Engineer
As his technical confidence grew, Savani expanded into production and sound engineering — focusing on beat construction, mixing, and audio design. These are the behind-the-scenes skills that determine whether a record sounds polished or amateurish, and Savani developed them methodically.
His production style draws from hip-hop, electronic music, and Latin rhythms, creating a hybrid sound that doesn’t fit neatly into any single genre — which is part of what makes it interesting.
Creation of Screwmbia
One of Savani Quintanilla’s most significant contributions to music is co-creating the genre Screwmbia alongside DJ King Louie — and it’s worth understanding why this matters beyond the novelty of a name.
Screwmbia combines:
- Traditional cumbia rhythms
- Chopped-and-screwed tempo techniques, rooted in Houston’s DJ culture
- Trap-inspired drums, heavy 808 bass, and snapping snare hits
The result is something that sounds genuinely new while remaining culturally rooted. By slowing cumbia down and layering it with trap-influenced production, Screwmbia makes the genre feel fresh to younger listeners who may have never engaged with traditional cumbia before. That’s not a small achievement — genre innovation is how music evolves across generations.
Selena Remixes and Family Legacy Work
Beyond original production, Savani has collaborated with other artists to reimagine some of Selena Quintanilla’s most beloved songs, including “No Me Queda Más,” “Como la Flor,” and “Amor Prohibido.” These projects carry obvious emotional weight given his family connection, but they also serve a musical purpose — introducing Selena’s catalog to listeners who grew up with trap and electronic production rather than Tejano.
Royal Highness, Sons of Cumbia, and Group Projects
Savani co-founded the Texas-based music group Royal Highness alongside DJ King Louie, where the duo focuses on blending genres and creating immersive live experiences centered on modern cumbia. He is also associated with Sons of Cumbia — a project he references directly in his Instagram bio — which reflects his ongoing commitment to evolving the genre.
He has additionally been a member of Kumbia All Starz, the group his father founded, connecting him to the Quintanilla family’s broader musical lineage while continuing to develop his own voice within it.
Musical Style & Influence
Defining Screwmbia
Screwmbia draws its core DNA from Houston’s chopped-and-screwed tradition — a production style developed in the city’s underground hip-hop scene that involves slowing tracks down and “chopping” transitions for a hypnotic effect. Applied to cumbia, the result has a heaviness and texture that the genre didn’t previously have.
It’s nostalgic and futuristic at once — which is exactly the kind of quality that tends to make music stick with people.
Key Influences
Savani’s influences span Houston hip-hop production, electronic music, and traditional Latin rhythms — a combination that explains why his music resists easy categorization. He isn’t trying to fit into an existing lane; he’s carving one. That creative philosophy is itself an influence worth noting, one that mirrors the independent spirit of his father’s earlier work with the Kumbia Kings.
Building an Independent Identity
The pressure that comes with a name like Quintanilla is real. Many people encountered Savani’s work through the filter of his family’s legacy before they encountered him directly as an artist. His response has been consistent: keep creating, stay focused on craft, and let the music speak for itself. That approach is harder than it sounds, and it’s one reason why his reputation within the Latin music underground carries genuine weight.
Major Works / Achievements
Notable Projects
- Co-founder of Royal Highness (Texas-based cumbia group)
- Co-creator of the Screwmbia genre with DJ King Louie
- Remixes of Selena Quintanilla classics including “Como la Flor” and “Amor Prohibido”
- Member of Kumbia All Starz
- Associated with the Sons of Cumbia project
- Ongoing DJ performances and live sets
Contribution to Modern Latin Music
Savani’s work contributes something concrete to the evolution of Latin fusion — not just a fresh sound, but a bridge between generations. By preserving the cultural identity of cumbia while translating it into production language that younger, urban audiences already understand, he’s doing the kind of work that helps living genres stay alive.
Net Worth
Estimated Net Worth
Savani Quintanilla’s net worth is estimated between $3 million and $5 million. Given the trajectory of his career, most recent estimates lean toward the higher end of that range. His financial position reflects steady, diversified activity in the music industry rather than a single breakout moment.
Income Sources
- DJ performances and live events
- Music production and sound engineering
- Streaming income and royalties
- Collaborations and creative projects
- Brand partnerships
The variety of his income streams is worth noting — it’s a model that offers stability, something many artists in the independent Latin music scene still struggle to achieve.
Personal Life
Family and Relationships
Savani Quintanilla is not publicly married. He is a proud father to a daughter named Yvie, who by his own accounts is a significant source of personal motivation. Most details of his personal life are kept private — a deliberate choice that reflects his preference for letting his work define his public presence rather than his biography.
On his father’s side, Savani has a biological sister named Martika Quintanilla, as well as several half-siblings including Giani Quintanilla, all part of an extended family with deep roots in the Latin music world.
Lifestyle and Personality
As a Sagittarius, Savani is described by those close to him as curious, independent, and consistently drawn toward new creative territory. His low-key public profile is not shyness — it’s a deliberate preference. He invests his energy into music and family rather than celebrity. That balance, rare in an industry that rewards constant visibility, seems to suit him well.
Latest Updates / Current Status
Current Work
As of 2026, Savani remains active in music as a DJ, producer, and collaborator. He continues to perform at live events, develop new production work, and push the Screwmbia sound forward. His Instagram bio — which currently identifies him as a “Producer // Sound Engineer // @sonsofcumbia” — reflects his ongoing commitment to the cumbia movement he helped build.
Social Media Presence
He maintains an active presence on Instagram (@principe_q), where he shares studio content, event updates, and occasional tributes to his aunt Selena. With over 14,000 followers, his audience is engaged and largely drawn from within the Latin music and cumbia communities.
Lesser-Known Facts
- His name is spelled both Savani and Svani across different sources — both are used interchangeably
- He initially played football as a left tackle before committing to music full time
- His father gave him his first bass guitar when he was in fifth grade — the gift that set his career in motion
- He has helped remix several of Selena Quintanilla’s most iconic songs, including “Como la Flor” and “Amor Prohibido”
- His Instagram bio lists @sonsofcumbia, reflecting his ongoing work in the modern cumbia space
- He prefers underground recognition over mainstream exposure — a value that runs throughout his career decisions
FAQs
Who is Savani Quintanilla?
Savani Quintanilla is an American DJ, music producer, and sound engineer, best known by his stage name Principe Q. He is the eldest son of A.B. Quintanilla III and a co-creator of the Screwmbia genre.
How is Savani Quintanilla related to Selena?
He is the nephew of the late Selena Quintanilla through his father, A.B. Quintanilla III, who was Selena’s brother and longtime musical collaborator.
What is Screwmbia?
Screwmbia is a music genre co-created by Savani Quintanilla and DJ King Louie that fuses traditional cumbia rhythms with the slowed, chopped-and-screwed production style originating from Houston’s hip-hop scene, layered over trap drums and heavy 808 bass.
What is Savani Quintanilla’s net worth?
His estimated net worth ranges from $3 million to $5 million, earned through music production, DJ performances, collaborations, royalties, and brand work.
Is Savani Quintanilla married?
No, he is not publicly married. He has one daughter named Yvie.
What does Principe Q do?
Principe Q is Savani’s stage name, under which he performs as a DJ, produces music, and contributes to the modern cumbia movement through projects like Royal Highness and Sons of Cumbia.
Conclusion
Savani Quintanilla represents something genuinely rare in music: an artist who carries extraordinary inherited legacy without being defined by it. The Quintanilla name opens doors, but it also sets a high bar — and Savani has answered that challenge by building something original in Screwmbia, Royal Highness, and his broader body of work in modern cumbia production.
His career demonstrates that genre innovation and cultural preservation don’t have to be opposing forces. By rooting new sounds in real tradition, he’s helping ensure that cumbia reaches the next generation of listeners on their own terms.
For anyone following the evolution of Latin music, Savani Quintanilla is an artist worth watching — not because of his last name, but because of what he’s doing with it.