Despacito

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee launched a global sensation with Despacito, a track that redefined the reach of Spanish-language pop music. Released in January 2017 as the lead single from Fonsi's album Vida, the song blends cumbia rhythms, reggaeton beats, and Latin pop melodies into a catchy, upbeat package. The original version features just the two Puerto Rican artists, but an English remix featuring Justin Bieber dropped later that spring, adding new lyrics to help bridge the gap for international audiences who might not speak Spanish. Producers Mauricio Rengifo and Andrés Torres crafted the sound between 2015 and 2016, creating a track that felt both rooted in tradition and ready for the modern radio airwaves. The collaboration paid off immediately, topping charts in 47 countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It became the first Spanish-language hit to reach number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 since 1996, eventually tying the record for the longest run at the top spot with 16 weeks. The song also shattered digital sales records, earning a Diamond certification from the RIAA and becoming the best-selling Latin single in American history. Its impact extended beyond streaming numbers; the music video filmed in the La Perla neighborhood of Old San Juan set multiple YouTube records, holding the title for most-viewed video for years and accumulating billions of views. Music critics often cite this release as the catalyst that brought Latin urban sounds back into the mainstream conversation on a scale not seen since the late 1980s or mid-1990s.[edit]