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Luis Fonsis "Despacito" Sets Streaming Record, Reaches Global Chart Dominance
Luis Fonsi’s 2017 single “Despacito” turned an entire generation into a global dance floor. Released on January 13 2017 as the lead track from his tenth studio album Vida, the song paired the Puerto‑Rican singer with rapper Daddy Yankee and was penned by Fonsi, Yankee, and songwriter Erika Ender. Its title—meaning “slowly” or “softly”—captures the song’s deliberate, romantic approach to intimacy.
From the outset, “Despacito” climbed charts worldwide. The original version entered the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart at number 2 and reached the top spot after three weeks. In the United States it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 88 on February 4 2017 and peaked at number 44 before the remix dropped. The April 17 2017 remix added English vocals from Canadian pop star Justin Bieber and new verses by Poo Bear and Marty James. That version topped charts in 47 countries—including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain—and became the first Spanish‑language song to reach number 1 on the Hot 100 since 1996.
By July 19 2017, Universal Music reported that the combined streams of the original and Bieber remix had hit 4.6 billion plays, making “Despacito” the most‑streamed song in history at that time. By April 2018 the pair had amassed 7.5 billion streams, with 1.9 billion on Spotify and 5.6 billion YouTube views. The music video, shot in La Perla, Old San Juan, and the La Factoría bar, shattered Vevo’s record for Spanish‑language videos with 5.4 million views in its first 24 hours and held the title of most‑viewed YouTube video from August 2017 until November 2020.
On the charts, “Despacito” tied the record for the longest‑reigning number‑one on the Hot 100 at 16 weeks and became the longest‑running number‑one on the Hot Latin Songs chart, staying at the top for 56 weeks from 2017 through 2026. The track earned four Latin Grammy Awards—including Record of the Year and Song of the Year—alongside five Billboard Music Awards and two American Music Awards. It also received a digital Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, indicating sales of over 13 million units.
Bieber’s first Spanish‑language verse, recorded after he heard the original in a club, helped the remix reach English‑speaking audiences and pushed the song’s streaming numbers into record territory. The remix was released through Universal Music Latin, Republic Records, Def Jam, RBMG, and School Boy Records.
Daddy Yankee, who co‑performed the track, became the most‑listened artist worldwide on Spotify in June 2017, the first Latin artist to achieve that milestone. Beyond the charts, “Despacito” accelerated the global popularity of Spanish‑language music in mainstream markets, setting a benchmark for cross‑lingual collaborations and streaming achievements.
The story of “Despacito” was first reported by Men’s Journal on July 19 2026 in its Entertainment section. Today the track’s record‑setting performance remains a touchstone for the music industry’s evolving relationship with language, streaming, and global reach.
In summary, Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito,” featuring Daddy Yankee and later Justin Bieber, set unprecedented streaming records, dominated international charts, and earned multiple major awards. Its success illustrates the commercial viability of Spanish‑language music on global platforms and continues to influence contemporary pop and reggaeton releases.
From the outset, “Despacito” climbed charts worldwide. The original version entered the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart at number 2 and reached the top spot after three weeks. In the United States it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 88 on February 4 2017 and peaked at number 44 before the remix dropped. The April 17 2017 remix added English vocals from Canadian pop star Justin Bieber and new verses by Poo Bear and Marty James. That version topped charts in 47 countries—including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain—and became the first Spanish‑language song to reach number 1 on the Hot 100 since 1996.
By July 19 2017, Universal Music reported that the combined streams of the original and Bieber remix had hit 4.6 billion plays, making “Despacito” the most‑streamed song in history at that time. By April 2018 the pair had amassed 7.5 billion streams, with 1.9 billion on Spotify and 5.6 billion YouTube views. The music video, shot in La Perla, Old San Juan, and the La Factoría bar, shattered Vevo’s record for Spanish‑language videos with 5.4 million views in its first 24 hours and held the title of most‑viewed YouTube video from August 2017 until November 2020.
On the charts, “Despacito” tied the record for the longest‑reigning number‑one on the Hot 100 at 16 weeks and became the longest‑running number‑one on the Hot Latin Songs chart, staying at the top for 56 weeks from 2017 through 2026. The track earned four Latin Grammy Awards—including Record of the Year and Song of the Year—alongside five Billboard Music Awards and two American Music Awards. It also received a digital Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, indicating sales of over 13 million units.
Bieber’s first Spanish‑language verse, recorded after he heard the original in a club, helped the remix reach English‑speaking audiences and pushed the song’s streaming numbers into record territory. The remix was released through Universal Music Latin, Republic Records, Def Jam, RBMG, and School Boy Records.
Daddy Yankee, who co‑performed the track, became the most‑listened artist worldwide on Spotify in June 2017, the first Latin artist to achieve that milestone. Beyond the charts, “Despacito” accelerated the global popularity of Spanish‑language music in mainstream markets, setting a benchmark for cross‑lingual collaborations and streaming achievements.
The story of “Despacito” was first reported by Men’s Journal on July 19 2026 in its Entertainment section. Today the track’s record‑setting performance remains a touchstone for the music industry’s evolving relationship with language, streaming, and global reach.
In summary, Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito,” featuring Daddy Yankee and later Justin Bieber, set unprecedented streaming records, dominated international charts, and earned multiple major awards. Its success illustrates the commercial viability of Spanish‑language music on global platforms and continues to influence contemporary pop and reggaeton releases.