Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” Becomes First Video to Surpass 7 Billion Views on YouTube

Posted on October 15, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Fonsi is still killin’ it on YouTube…

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican singer and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” has officially become the first video in YouTube history to surpass 7 billion views.

According to YouTube, the music video, released in 2017, averages more than 1.4 million views a day (so far) in 2020 with Daddy Yankee currently No. 16 on the streaming platform’s Global Top Artists chart.

The record-breaking news comes just days after Telemundo and Billboard announced that Fonsi and Yankee will receive the Billboard Latin Song of the Decade award for “Despacito” at the 2020 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

The top honor recognizes “Despacito” for its chart milestones, which include topping the Hot Latin Songs chart for a record 56 (non-consecutive) weeks, spending the most weeks at No. 1 for any title since the chart’s inception in 1986.

The song’s success also set the chart-topping longevity mark on Hot Latin Songs when it spent its 42nd week at the top on the February 17, 2018-dated tally, surpassing the 41-week reign of Enrique Iglesias, Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona’s “Bailando” in 2014-15.

In addition, “Despacito” made history at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 2017, tying the then all-time mark for weeks at No. 1 (16) set by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day” in 1996.

Fonsi and Daddy Yankee are confirmed to perform at the Billboard Latin Music Awards set to take place on Wednesday, October 21, live from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida.

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” Named Billboard Latin Song of the Decade

Posted on October 10, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee have the song of the decade…

Telemundo and Billboard have announced that the 42-year-old Puerto Rican singer and the 43-year-old Puerto Rican rapper will receive the Billboard Latin Song of the Decade award for their 2017 hit “Despacito” at the 2020 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Fonsi and Daddy Yankee are also confirmed to perform at the awards ceremony, which is set to take place on Wednesday, October 21 live from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida.

On the Billboard charts, “Despacito” topped the Hot Latin Songs chart for a record 56 (non-consecutive) weeks, spending the most weeks at No. 1 for any title since the chart’s inception in 1986. The song’s success also set the chart-topping longevity mark on Hot Latin Songs when it spent its 42nd week at the top on the February 17, 2018-dated tally, surpassing the 41-week reign of Enrique Iglesias, Descemer Bueno, and Gente de Zona’s “Bailando” in 2014-15.

The 2020 BLMAs, led by top finalists Bad Bunny and Ozuna, is the only awards show to honor the most popular albums, songs, and performers in Latin music, the awards are determined by the actual sales, streaming radio airplay, and social data that informs Billboard’s weekly charts during a one-year period from the rankings dated February 2, 2019, through this year’s January 25 charts.

The event coincides with Billboard’s Latin Music Week 30th anniversary, a three-day virtual experience dedicated to Latin music, culture, and entertainment. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the event will take place October 20-23 and will feature intimate artist conversations, industry panels, exclusive performances, and more.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards 2020 will broadcast live from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla. on October 21 via Telemundo.

Bad Bunny Wins ASCAP Songwriter of the Year at ASCAP Latin Music Awards

Posted on July 7, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a special first for Bad Bunny…

ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) has revealed the winners of the most performed songs of the past year in Latin music, with the 26-year-old Puerto Rican singer and rapper taking the top honor for the first time in his career.

Bad Bunny, who’d previously won the ASCAP Song of the Year award for his Cardi B & J Balvin collaboration “I Like It.,” was named the ASCAP Songwriter of the Year at the ASCAP Latin Music Awards. He won the prestigious award on the strength of seven of his recognized singles, including “Callaita,” “La Cancion,” “Que Pretendes,” and “Solo de Mi.”

Romeo Santos picked up the Songwriter/Artist of the Year award. The 38-year-old Puerto Rican and Dominican American singer earned the honor for penning the recognized singles “Aullando,” “Canalla,” and “Inmortal.”

The Song of the Year award went to Daddy Yankee’s “Con Calma,” featuring Snow.

The 43-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton rapper/singer’s uptempo reggaeton and dancehall song, a reimagination of Snow’s chart-topping single “Informer,” was YouTube’s most viewed music video of 2019.

Other recognized artists include Gerado Ortiz (“Aerolinea Carrillo”), Becky G (“Bubalu”), Farruko & Pedro Capo (“Calma (Remix)”), Marc Anthony (“Parecen Viernes”),Jhay Cortez (“Reggaeton,” “Hola” ) and Carlos Vives(“Si Me Das Tu Amor”).

Universal Music Publishing Group was bestowed the Publisher of the Year award and the Independent Publisher of the Year award went to Kobalt Songs Music Publishing.

Due to the coronavirus, this year’s winners were announced via ASCAP’s social media platforms: @ASCAPLatino and @ASCAP. The innovative virtual format allowed fans, friends and peers to join in the online celebration.

The virtual event, hosted by Greeicy Rendón and Mike Bahía, also included special performances and appearances by: Marc Anthony, Descemer Bueno, Pedro Capó,Desmond Child, Jhay Cortez, Darrell, Natalia Lafourcade, Lunay, Silverio Lozada andSebastián Yatra, among other music creators.

The complete list of winners is available on the ASCAP website.

Jesús López to Receive Desi Arnaz Pioneer Award at the La Musa Awards

Posted on September 29, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Jesús López has a pioneering spirit…

The chairman and CEO of Universal Music Latin America and Iberian Peninsula will receive the Desi Arnaz PioneerAward at the seventh annual La Musa Awards from the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.

López, who is responsible for Universal Music Groupoperations in all Spanish and Portuguese-speaking territories of the world, will receive the recognition for his many contributions throughout his professional career.

The Desi Arnaz Pioneer Award was created by the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame in honor of the early television visionary, songwriter and entertainer, who developed the iconic comedy show I Love Lucy, which he produced and starred in with his wife, Lucille Ball.

For more than four decades, López has worked with some of the greatest artists in Latin music, including Juan Luis Guerra, Juanes, José Luis Perales, Joan Manuel Serrat, Mecano and Juan Gabriel. Most recently, he has launched the careers of Karol Gand Sebastian Yatra, among many of a new generation of acts. Lopez was also behind the global hits “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee and J Balvin’s “Mi Gente,” which were pivotal in the current explosion of Latin music.

Lopez’s roster of international hits also includes Los del Rio’s “Macarena,” “La Camisa Negra” by Juanes, and “Bailando” by Enrique Iglesias featuring Descemer Buenoand Gente de Zona.

Previous recipients of the award include Quincy Jones, Nat King Coleand Raul Pablo Alarcon Sr.

The La Musa Awards ceremony will take place on October 24 at the James L. Knight Centerin Miami. This year’s class of inductees includes Ivy Queen, Willie Colón, Michael Sullivan, Chico Novarroand Armando Larrinaga.

Luis Fonsi & Demi Lovato’s “Échame La Culpa” Among 19 Latin Videos to Reach 1 Billion Views on YouTube

Posted on November 23, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Échale la culpa a Luis Fonsi…

YouTube has released the official list of the new Latin videos that have reached the billion views, with the 40-year-old Puerto Rican singer-songwriter’s collaboration with Demi Lovato making the grade.

In 2018, nineteen Latin videos have joined the elite club, including Fonsi’s clip for his single with the 26-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress, “Échame La Culpa.”

It all started when “Bailando” by Enrique Iglesias featuring Gente de Zona and Descemer Bueno reached the coveted figure in 2015.

Then, in 2016, four new videos joined the list: Shakira‘s “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” Romeo Santos with “Propuesta Indecente,” “Ay Vamos” by J Balvin and Jennifer Lopez with “On The Floor” featuring Pitbull.

In 2017, everything changed. After the overwhelming success of Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” clip — currently the most-viewed video with 5.7 billion views — 17 more videos (including “Despacito”) earned access to the famous list. Among those videos are “El Amante” by Nicky Jam, J Balvin‘s “Mi Gente” with Willy William, Daddy Yankee’s “Shaky, Shaky,” Maluma‘s “Felices Los 4,” and his collaboration with Shakira, “Chantaje,” among others.

And now in 2018, 19 other videos have joined the prestigious club, including “El Farsante” by Ozuna with Romeo Santos; Becky G and Bad Bunny’s “Mayores;” and Manuel Turizo with “Una Lady Como Tu.”

Interestingly, two of the billion-view members are official audio clips: Camilla Cabello’s “Havana” and Danny Ocean’s “Me Rehúso.”

Here’s the complete list:

Luis Fonsi, Demi Lovato – “Échame La Culpa,” 1,669,863,461 views
Natti Natasha, Ozuna – “Criminal,” 1,643,680,995 views
Casper, Nio García, Darell, Nicky Jam, Bad Bunny, Ozuna – “Te Bote Remix,” 1,409,583,342 views
Camila Cabello – “Havana” (Official Audio) featuring Young Thug, 1,408,373,008 views
Becky G, Bad Bunny – “Mayores,” 1,394,630,929 views
Nicky Jam, J Balvin – “X (Equis),” 1,378,002,840 views
Maluma – “Corazón” featuring Nego do Borel, 1,269,801,392 views
Danny Ocean – “Me Rehúso” (Official Audio), 1,230,850,189 views
Piso 21 – “Déjala Que Vuelva” featuring Manuel Turizo, 1,219,424,146 views
Daddy Yankee – “Dura,” 1,170,766,172 views
Manuel Turizo – “Una Lady Como Tú,” 1,169,161,359 views
Ozuna, Romeo Santos – “El Farsante (Remix),” 1,092,873,729 views
Enrique Iglesias – “Subeme La Radio” featuring Descemer Bueno, Zion & Lennox, 1,085,524,380 views
MC Fioti – “Bum Bum Tam Tam,” 1,085,457,581 views
Becky G, Natti Natasha – “Sin Pijama,” 1,076,318,062 views
Wisin – “Escápate Conmigo” featuring Ozuna, 1,066,699,954 views
Prince Royce – “Darte un Beso,” 1,030,461,056 views
Don Omar – “Danza Kuduro” featuring Lucenzo, 1,023,426,878 views
Shakira – “La La La” featuring Carlinhos Brown,1,015,400,871 views

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Break Tie with Enrique Iglesias for Most Weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee have taken down Enrique Iglesias…

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican singer and the 41-year-old Puerto Rican rapper’s global smash “Despacito” featuring Justin Bieber, has claimed the all-longevity mark atop Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart all to itself, as the song scores a record-breaking 42nd week at No. 1 on the ranking dated February 17.

The hit surpasses the 41-week reign of Iglesias‘ “Bailando,” featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona, in 2014-15.

Erika Ender, one of the six writers of the Grammy-nominated song tells Billboard of the feat, “This song has been so unpredictable and so surprisingly wonderful, as are the spontaneous and authentic emotions for those who are able to connect, with any heart and in any language. I’m happy for this new record for Latin music.”

Hot Latin Songs blends streaming, airplay and sales data; it switched from an airplay-only methodology on October 20, 2012.

“Despacito” first led the chart dated a year ago this week, rising to its first frame at No. 1 on the February 18, 2017-dated tally. It spent 35 consecutive weeks at No. 1 and then ceded the summit to J Balvin and Willy Willliam‘s “Mi Gente,” featuring Beyoncé, for 12 weeks, beginning October 21. “Despacito” then returned for another seven weeks at No. 1 (so far).

Here’s a recap of the longest all-time reigns on Hot Latin Songs (dating to the chart’s October 4, 1986, inception.

Most Weeks at No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs
Weeks at No. 1, Title, Artist, Date Reached No. 1
42 weeks, “Despacito,” Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber, Feb. 18, 2017
41 weeks, “Bailando,” Enrique Iglesias feat. Descemer Bueno & Gente de Zona, May 17, 2014
30 weeks, “El Perdón,” Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, March 21, 2015
25 weeks, “La Tortura,” Shakira feat. Alejandro Sanz, June 4, 2005
22 weeks, “Ginza,” J Balvin, Oct, 17, 2015
20 weeks, “Te Quiero,” Flex, April 5, 2008
20 weeks, “Me Enamora,” Juanes, Sept. 29, 2007
20 weeks, “A Puro Dolor,” Son by Four, April 1, 2000

Along the way, “Despacito” also made history atop the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart, ruling for 16 weeks beginning May 27, 2017. The song tied Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men‘s “One Sweet Day” for the most weeks at No. 1 in the Hot 100’s 59-year history.

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” Ties Record for Most Weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart

Posted on February 6, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

The tie’s the limit for Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee.

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican singer/songwriter and the 41-year-old rapper’s global phenomenon “Despacito,” featuring Justin Bieber, has tied the record for the most weeks spent at No. 1 in the history of Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart, as it logs its 41st week on top (on the ranking dated February 10).

The track matches the 41-week reign of Enrique Iglesias‘ “Bailando,” featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona, in 2014-15.

“My goal has always been to make good songs that people enjoy and perform them with passion and honesty,” Fonsi tells Billboard. “To break or tie records, although it is not the priority, is a sign that people feel that connection. Being a small part of the history of Latin music is a real honor.”

“Despacito” first led Hot Latin Songs (which blends streaming, airplay and sales data) almost a year ago, rising to its first week at No. 1 on the Feb. 18, 2017-dated chart.

It spent 35 consecutive weeks at No. 1 and then ceded the top spot to J Balvin and Willy Willliam‘s “Mi Gente,” featuring Beyoncé, for 12 weeks, beginning October 21.

“Despacito” then returned for another six weeks at No. 1 (so far).

On the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, “Despacito” spent 16 weeks at No. 1, tying Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men‘s “One Sweet Day” (in 1995-96) for the longest command in the chart’s 59-year history.

Helping “Despacito” on the most recent Hot Latin Songs chart: Fonsi and Daddy Yankee gave a high octane performance of the smash at the Grammy Awards on January 28, sparking a 9 percent gain to 16.8 million U.S. streams and 154 percent surge to 30,000 downloads sold in the week ending February 1, according to Nielsen Music.

Here’s a look at the hits with the longest all-time reigns on Hot Latin Songs (dating to the chart’s October 4, 1986, inception).

Most Weeks at No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs:
Weeks at No. 1, Title, Artist, Date Reached No. 1
41 weeks, “Despacito,” Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber, Feb. 18, 2017
41 weeks, “Bailando,” Enrique Iglesias feat. Descemer Bueno & Gente de Zona, May 17, 2014
30 weeks, “El Perdón,” Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias, March 21, 2015
25 weeks, “La Tortura,” Shakira feat. Alejandro Sanz, June 4, 2005
22 weeks, “Ginza,” J Balvin, Oct, 17, 2015
20 weeks, “Te Quiero,” Flex, April 5, 2008
20 weeks, “Me Enamora,” Juanes, Sept. 29, 2007
20 weeks, “A Puro Dolor,” Son by Four, April 1, 2000

Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” Scores 30th Week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart

Posted on September 1, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Make that 30 weeks at the top for Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee…

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican singer and 40-year-old Puerto Rican rapper’s smash single “Despacito,” featuring Justin Bieber, scores its 30th week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart (dated September 9), becoming just the third song to reach the 30-week mark in the chart’s 31-year history.

“Despacito,” which also earns a record-tying 16th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, ties Nicky Jam and Enrique Iglesias’ “El Perdon” for the second-longest reign at No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs chart. The all-time leader, Iglesias’ “Bailando,” featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona, spent 41 weeks at No. 1 from May 2014 to February 2015.

“Despacito” first topped the Hot Latin Songs chart on the February 18-dated list and has ruled the chart ever since.

Most Weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs Chart
Weeks at No. 1, Title, Artist
41, “Bailando,” Enrique Iglesias Featuring Descemer Bueno & Gente de Zona
30, “Despacito,” Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
30, “El Perdon,” Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias
25, “La Tortura,” Shakira Featuring Alejandro Sanz
22, “Ginza,” J Balvin
20, “Te Quiero,” Flex
20, “Me Enamora,” Juanes
20, “A Puro Dolor,” Son By Four

Fonsi Earns First Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 with “Despacito” Remix, Featuring Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber

Posted on April 25, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Luis Fonsi is making history with an assist from the Biebs…

For the first time in more than 20 years, a mostly Spanish-language song ranks in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, as the 39-year-old Puerto Rican singer and Daddy Yankee‘s smash “Despacito” vaults 48-9 (on the May 6-dated chart), driven by a new remix featuring Justin Bieber.

The last time such a song hit the top 10 was in 1996, when Los Del Rio‘s “Macarena,” powered by its Bayside Boys remix, spent 14 weeks at No. 1.

While Bieber notches his 12th Hot 100 top 10, Fonsi and Daddy Yankee each earn their first.

It’s “such an incredible honor to have a Spanish song in the top 10 of the Hot 100 chart. It’s been an incredible ride since the very first day we released the song, seeing how the world just connected to it,” said Fonsi to Billboard after learning about the song’s race to the top 10.

“Despacito” isalready a huge success on Billboard‘s Latin charts, and this week it spends a 12th week atop Hot Latin Songs. The release of the remix (on April 17) spurs a 129 percent surge in U.S. streams, to 24.1 million (in the tracking week ending April 20, according to Nielsen Music), more than doubling its own record for the most weekly streams for a core Spanish song. The original version of “Despacito” earned 10.9 million streams on the April 15-dated chart.

Digital sales for “Despacito” soar 510 percent to 60,000, as the track re-enters at No. 8 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales chart (where it had previously peaked at No. 48). It tallies a 10th week atop the Latin Digital Song Sales chart, where it logs the highest sales frame for a mostly Spanish-language song (with no accompanying primarily English version) in the chart’s seven-year history. Enrique Iglesias‘ “Bailando,” featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona, peaked with a prior-best 76,000 downloads (Aug. 16, 2014); notably, those sales also included Iglesias’ mostly English version of the song.

Globally, “Despacito” has forged record-breaking feats. According to Spotify, it’s the first Spanish-language song to reach No. 1 on the streaming service’s Global Chart and is that chart’s highest-ranking Spanish-language record to date.

Further, upon the release of the official remix audio clip on YouTube, it became the top music debut of 2017, accumulating more than 20 million views in its first 24 hours, according to the platform. It has reached 76 million worldwide views so far.

Meanwhile, the song’s original music video surpassed 1 billion global views on April 20, becoming the second-fastest music clip to reach the milestone across all genres (following its Jan. 12 release). Only Adele‘s “Hello” made a quicker ascent to the 1 billion mark.

Of its worldwide accolades, Fonsi adds that “the billion views in four months, No. 1 on Spotify Global and Justin Bieber jumping on-board with the remix have taken the song to another level. This is great for Latin music!”

Iglesias Earns Record-Extending 29th No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay Chart

Posted on April 7, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Enrique Iglesias is extending his chart reign…

The 41-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter’s latest single “Subeme La Radio,” featuring Descemer Bueno and Zion & Lennox, steps 2-1 on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart (dated April 15).

The track rises 4 percent to 21.5 million audience impressions (in the week ending April 2, according to Nielsen Music), extending Iglesias’ record for the most No. 1s ever on the 22-year-old list to 29.

Iglesias holds a large lead, with 13 more chart-topping hits than Ricky Martin, who is in second place with 16.

Iglesias first topped the chart in 1995 when “Si Tu Te Vas” spent eight weeks at No. 1.

Iglesias not only holds the most No. 1s on the Latin Airplay chart, he has also spent the most weeks at the top of the chart: 159 weeks. Seven of his songs have exceeded 10 weeks at No. 1.

Only one other act has had multiple songs spend 10 or more weeks at No. 1: Juanes, who notched two long-running chart leaders with “Me Enamora” (20 weeks in 2007) and “Nada Valgo Sin Tu Amor” (12 weeks in 2004).

Iglesias’ longest-running chart-topper, “Bailando,” featuring Bueno and Gente de Zona, led the list for 20 weeks. (Shakira holds the record for longest-running No. 1, 25 weeks, earned in 2005 with “La Tortura,” featuring Alejandro Sanz).

Artists with the most weeks at No. 1 on Latin Airplay:
Artist, Total weeks at No. 1

Enrique Iglesias, 159
Shakira, 63
Juanes, 56
Marc Anthony, 45
Ricky Martin, 44
Romeo Santos, 42
Don Omar, 40

Over on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs chart, “Subeme” rises 4-3, aided in part by a 4 percent increase in streams, to 3.2 million — its best streaming week yet. The single became Iglesias’ 40th career hit on the chart when it debuted at No. 3 on the March 18-dated ranking.

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