Savani Quintanilla is an alternative spelling of Svani Quintanilla, the Texas DJ and music producer who performs as Principe Q. He is the son of A.B. Quintanilla and the nephew of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, but his recordings tell a story of their own. Working with Royal Highness, he helped develop Screwmbia, a sound built from slowed cumbia samples, hip-hop drums and electronic production. His career also includes music with Houston’s Bombón collective, solo releases and collaborations with other artists. Those projects offer the clearest introduction to his background and creative work.
Who Is Savani Quintanilla?
Svani Quintanilla is a DJ and producer from Texas. His own Bandcamp profile identifies him as Principe Q and lists San Antonio as his base. Earlier interviews and releases connect him with Corpus Christi, where he developed his production skills.
His catalog includes original tracks, collaborative recordings, remixes and edits. Some releases place his instrumentals at the center; others pair his production with singers or rappers. Understanding those different roles helps explain why his name appears across several projects rather than one conventional solo discography.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name used in artist profiles and release credits | Svani Quintanilla |
| Alternative spelling | Savani Quintanilla |
| Stage name | Principe Q |
| Profession | DJ and music producer |
| Father | A.B. Quintanilla |
| Aunt | Selena Quintanilla-Pérez |
| Associated projects | Royal Highness and Bombón |
| Musical styles | Cumbia, Screwmbia, trap and electronic music |
Savani, Svani and Principe Q: Understanding the Names
The spelling used on his own artist page and in Royal Highness release credits is Svani Quintanilla. For readers looking for his recordings, that spelling and the name Principe Q are useful starting points.
Older releases also identify him as Principe CU. In a 2013 Houston Press interview, his musical partner Luis Espada explained that “Cu” referred to cumbia. The earlier name therefore belongs to the same artist and appears in the credits of Royal Highness’s first Screwmbia EP.
His Family Background and Early Musical Influences
Svani’s father, A.B. Quintanilla, is a musician and producer and Selena’s older brother. That makes Selena his aunt and connects him directly to a family closely associated with Texas Latin music.
Discussing his background with Houston Press, Svani explained that growing up among musicians made pursuing music feel natural. He also credited a mentor outside his family: producer and DJ El Dusty, whom he described as a major influence on his development.
That combination of family experience and local production culture provides context for his recordings. One particularly direct link appears on Royal Highness’s early Screwmbia release, which includes an edit of Selena’s “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom.” The track places a familiar song within the duo’s electronic approach.
Royal Highness and the Development of Screwmbia
Royal Highness brought together Svani Quintanilla and Luis Espada, known professionally as King Louie. Their stage names suggested the duo’s name: a prince and a king became Royal Highness.
On October 1, 2012, they released the EP “Screwmbia.” Its credits name both musicians, while the accompanying description explains their intention to combine trap, cumbia and other sounds with a distinctly Texan feel.
The tracklist includes “Diamante,” “Magic Carpet,” “The Driver” and the “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom Selenaville edit.” These recordings provide an early document of the project’s approach to sampling and electronic production.
What Is Screwmbia?
Svani described the process behind Screwmbia as slowing a cumbia sample, lowering its pitch and adding hip-hop drums. He linked that approach to Houston and Southern music culture.
The technique changes both the pace and the character of the original material. A melody takes on a lower register, while newly added percussion gives it a different rhythmic foundation. Trucha Soul Records describes Principe Q’s sound in similar terms, emphasizing trap drums and dark, slowed cumbia rhythms.
Screwmbia is a useful introduction to his production style, although his releases extend into other forms of dance music and collaboration.
Bombón and “Dame Un Beso”
Principe Q also worked with Bombón, a Houston tropical dance collective. Discos Peligrosa identifies him alongside Gracie Chavez and La Comadre Mel among the people behind the project.
One notable release is “Dame Un Beso,” issued on August 15, 2016, featuring Fat Tony and La Comadre. Houston Chronicle credited Fat Tony, Gracie Chavez and Principe Q as the song’s writers.
The label’s description emphasizes marimba sounds, heavy 808 bass and trap percussion in Principe Q’s production. Fat Tony and La Comadre supply the vocals. The recording offers a different perspective on his work from Royal Highness’s sample-based edits: it shows his involvement in writing and producing a collaborative vocal track.
Solo Releases and Later Collaborations
Flores Verdes EP
Trucha Soul Records released Principe Q’s “Flores Verdes EP” on April 20, 2021. It contains two tracks: “Flores Verdes” and “Fin de Satanas.”
The credits identify Svani Quintanilla as the producer, with mixing and mastering completed at Alebrije in Corpus Christi. Alongside the digital release, the label offered a limited 7-inch record, presented as his first vinyl release.
For listeners interested in his individual production work, this short EP is an accessible entry point. Both tracks appear under his own stage name, with clearly stated production credits.
Tráfico With Mexstep
Another project is “Tráfico,” a collaborative EP by Mexstep and Principe Q, released on September 4, 2025. Mexstep is the performing name of Marco Cervantes, a professor, rapper and cultural commentator.
The credits distinguish their responsibilities: Mexstep wrote the lyrics, and Principe Q produced the music. Apaso and R.E.L. contributed additional lyrics.
The project uses traffic as a theme with several meanings. Its accompanying description connects everyday movement with digital streaming and the circulation of cultural knowledge. The six-track release includes “All We Got,” “Lifted Up” and “Cumbia de la Lucha,” placing Quintanilla’s production within a project with an explicitly social focus.
Where to Find His Music
Principe Q’s Bandcamp page contains releases, remixes and collections of edits. Music issued through Royal Highness, Trucha Soul Records and Mexstep appears on their respective Bandcamp pages. He also has an artist profile on Spotify.
For a straightforward introduction, start with the early “Screwmbia” EP, then explore “Dame Un Beso,” “Flores Verdes” and “Tráfico.” Together, these releases cover duo production, a collective’s vocal single, solo work and a collaboration with a rapper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Savani Quintanilla and Svani Quintanilla the Same Person?
Yes. Svani Quintanilla is the spelling used on the artist’s own Bandcamp profile and in his music credits. Savani is an alternative spelling encountered in biographical articles.
How Is He Related to Selena Quintanilla?
He is Selena’s nephew. His father, A.B. Quintanilla, is her older brother.
What Is His Stage Name?
He performs and releases music as Principe Q. Earlier Royal Highness recordings also use the name Principe CU.
Who Is His Partner in Royal Highness?
His partner is Luis Espada, known as King Louie. Both artists are credited on the 2012 “Screwmbia” EP.
Is Principe Q a Singer or a Producer?
His own artist profile identifies him as a music producer and DJ. His documented work includes producing recordings, making remixes and collaborating with vocalists.
Conclusion
Savani Quintanilla, professionally identified as Svani Quintanilla and Principe Q, has built a career through DJ work, production and collaboration. Releases such as “Screwmbia,” “Dame Un Beso,” “Flores Verdes” and “Tráfico” reveal different aspects of his approach to cumbia, electronic music and hip-hop.