Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” Ties Billboard Hot 100 Record for Most Weeks at No. 1

Posted on August 29, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

It’s one sweet day for Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee…

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican singer and the 40-year-old Puerto Rican urban singer’s smash “Despacito,” featuring Justin Bieber, has notched a 16th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, matching Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men‘s “One Sweet Day” for the longest command in the chart’s 59-year history.

The song leads the list dated September 9) for a 16th week, the most weeks at No. 1 ever for a single, equaling the reign of “One Sweet Day,” which spent 16 weeks at No. 1 in 1995-96.

As “Despacito” moves into a first-place tie for the most weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, dating to the chart’s August 4, 1958, inception, here’s an updated look at the titles with the most time on top:

The Longest-Leading Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s
Weeks at No. 1, Title, Artist, Date Reached No. 1
16 (to date), “Despacito,” Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber, May 27, 2017
16, “One Sweet Day,” Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men, Dec. 2, 1995
14, “Uptown Funk!,” Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, Jan. 17, 2015
14, “I Gotta Feeling,” The Black Eyed Peas, July 11, 2009
14, “We Belong Together,” Mariah Carey, June 4, 2005
14, “Candle in the Wind 1997″/”Something About the Way You Look Tonight,” Elton John, Oct. 11, 1997
14, “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix),” Los Del Rio, Aug. 3, 1996
14, “I’ll Make Love to You,” Boyz II Men, Aug. 27, 1994
14, “I Will Always Love You,” Whitney Houston, Nov. 28, 1992

“One Sweet Day” held the record for the Hot 100’s longest rule for 21 and a half years, establishing the longevity mark when it tallied its 15th week on top on the March 9, 1996-dated chart (passing Boyz II Men’s own “I’ll Make Love to You” and Whitney Houston‘s “I Will Always Love You,” both 14-week leaders). “One Sweet Day” added its final and, until this week unmatched, 16th week at No. 1 on March 16, 1996.

“Despacito” extends its record command on the Digital Song Sales chart to 17 weeks at No. 1, with 80,000 downloads sold (down 3 percent) in the week ending August 24, according to Nielsen Music; both the original version and Bieber remix were sale-priced for 69 cents in the iTunes Store during the tracking week (with the former on sale for 69 cents in the prior week, as well).

The single additionally leads the Streaming Songs chart for a record-extending 16th week, with 44.6 million U.S. streams (down 4 percent) in the week ending August 24.

On Radio Songs, “Despacito” holds at No. 5 after five prior weeks on top, drawing 105 million in all-format airplay audience (down 11 percent) in the week ending August 27.

“Despacito” tallies a 30th week atop the Hot Latin Songs chart and extends its reign on the Songs of the Summer survey to 13 weeks, having led the latter list each week since its annual return after Memorial Day; the summer champion and entire top 20 will be revealed next week.

Meanwhile, Cardi B‘s breakthrough hit “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” holds at its No. 3 Hot 100 high. It keeps at No. 2 on Streaming Songs (42 million, up 16 percent); reaches the Digital Song Sales top 10 (12-8; 36,000, up 25 percent); and bounds 28-20 on Radio Songs (50 million, up 21 percent).

The 24-year-old half-Dominican American hip hop artist’s smash single spends a second week at No. 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart and takes over atop the all-genre audio subscription services-based On-Demand Streaming Songs chart (3-1; 16.9 million on-demand U.S. streams, up 15 percent).

Sanchez Performs “I Will Always Love You” for Billboard’s Whitney Tribute

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

She performed two Whitney Houston songs during her American Idol run… And, now Jessica Sanchez is honoring the late Grammy-winning singer’s memory with another cover.

The 17-year-old half-Mexican American singer performed Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” as part of Billboard’s weeklong tribute. Houston, who passed away a year ago this week, not only found legions of fans with her incomparable voice, she was also the galvanizing inspiration for generations of singers like Sanchez.

“Everything that Whitney did, she really made her mark,” says Sanchez, who performed “I Will Always Love You” to acclaim from the judges during her run on Idol last year. “The Bodyguard, I love that movie and the reason I sang, ‘I Will Always Love You’ today is that is one of my favorite songs from her. It was just such an amazing record and it really touched everybody. I don’t think anybody could ever sing it like her.”

Sanchez, who will make her acting debut on Glee later this year, may talk about about how Houston’s music has impacted her personally, but her sweet-voiced cover of the 1992 instaclassic and her emotional finish say more than words can.

Houston’s “I Will Love You” was the centerpiece of soundtrack for her 1992 film The Bodyguard. Houston took the bittersweet Dolly Parton-penned ballad all the way to No. 1 on the Hot 100 for 14 weeks.

“Her technique and her voice is completely different from anybody else, and that’s why she is Whitney Houston. That’s why she’s a legend,” says Sanchez, “and that’s why she was my biggest inspiration.”

Idol’s Sanchez Receives Hero’s Welcome

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

American Idol finalist Jessica Sanchez received a hero’s welcome when she returned to her hometown over the weekend…

The 16-year-old half-Mexican singer—the last female finalist standing in the singing competition—headed back to Chula Vista, California, as part of Idol’s hometown visits.

During her roll-out-the-red-carpet trip, Sanchez and her two younger brothers rode in a car past thousands of fans toward her destination: Eastlake High School’s stadium, where she performed her greatest Idol hits including Whitney Houston‘s “I Will Always Love You” on Saturday. She received a key to the city, with Chula Vista’s mayor declaring May 12 as “Jessica Sanchez Day.”

“I’m so happy to represent Chula Vista,” she said. “It was the people. I missed the people so much. I love you guys. Thank you for all the support.”

Later, at the USS Midway Museum, Sanchez performed Luther Vandross‘ “Dance With My Father” in an emotional tribute to her father, a U.S. Navy officer, whom she invited on stage. He’s scheduled to be deployed to Singapore.

Footage from Sanchez’s hometown visit will be shown during Wednesday’s performance episode.

Sanchez’s Latest “Beautiful” Night on “American Idol”

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Talk about a proud moment for American Idol finalist Jessica Sanchez…

During last night’s two-hour episode, the 16-year-old half-Mexican singer delivered two knockout performances and shined bright during her “girl power” trio with fellow female finalists Hollie Cavanagh and Skylar Laine.

During the first hour, which was dedicated to songs of the ‘60s, Sanchez tackled living legend Tina Turner’s trademark rendition of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary.”

Guest mentor Steve Van Zandt—the guitarist for Bruce Springsteen‘s E Street Band and ex-Sopranos actor—initially tried to dissuade Sanchez from performing the song, but she ultimately won him over.

Dressed to the nines in a heavily chained body-hugging white dress and a pair of sky-high heels, the petite San Diego native delivered a spot-on vocal performance, complete with growls and a massive high note at the end. Sanchez even channeled some of Turner’s on-stage effervescence by shimmying and shaking across the stage.

“You’re so grown up there; it’s crazy! I always forget you’re 16 years old,” said Idol judge Jennifer Lopez. “You brought it out there. You were a little bit of Tina, a little bit of Beyonce, a little bit of I don’t know what up there!”

Sanchez later took the stage with Cavanagh and Laine to perform a lively rendition of Jackie Wilson‘s “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher,” which proved to be a much better performance than Phillip Phillips and Joshua Ledet’s take on the Righteous Brothers‘ “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.”

But it was Sanchez’s final performance, as part of the show’s British pop theme, which seriously set her apart from the competition. It was her latest American Idol “moment,” following her previous performances of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” and Beyonce’s “Sweet Dreams.”

Dressed in an intricate black and white dress and sprawled on the stage next to several LED candles, Sanchez delivered an earnest and emotional rendition of Joe Cocker‘s “You Are So Beautiful,” which she later admitted was sung with her mother in mind.

“You once again showed America just how beautiful your voice is… and what a great singer you are,” declared Idol judge Steven Tyler. “You’re gonna be No. 1 girl.”

Sanchez Shines Bright on Beyonce’s “Sweet Dreams”

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

After demonstrating her vocal prowess on Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” it’s no surprise that Jessica Sanchez has successfully taken on Beyonce.

Looking all Sasha Fierce with her slicked-back hair, statement necklace and silver and black mini-dress complete with long train, the 16-year-old part-Mexican American Idol finalist showed America why she’s considered a frontrunner by performing a slowed-down version of Beyonce’s hit “Sweet Dreams.”

And Idol’s judges couldn’t help but applaud Sanchez’s reimagining of the song, which included a harptastic intro.

“It was really, really beautiful,” gushed Jennifer Lopez, who complimented Sanchez for holding back when she could’ve easily belted her signature high notes. “You left us wanting more!” Steven Tyler called it “delicious” and “beautiful,” while Randy Jackson talked about the 16-year-old’s impressive maturity, saying “You just innately have this unbelievable talent.”

Moments later, Sanchez returned to the stage to perform a Madonna medley with fellow finalists Hollie Cavanagh and Skylar Laine. Wearing a white tuxedo with black piping and black top, Jessica kicked off the performance with “Like a Prayer” and assisted the ladies on their renditions of “Borderline” and “Express Yourself.”

Sanchez Covers Whitney’s “I Will Always Love You”

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It may only be the first week of the finals on American Idol, but Latweena singing sensation Jessica Sanchez has already cemented her status as one of this season’s frontrunners.

In a “go big or go home” moment, the 16-year-old San Diego-native gave the night’s most pitch perfect performance on Wednesday’s show, covering Whitney Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You.”

Dressed in a asymmetrical floor length dress in royal blue, Sanchez’s fluttered her fingers ever so gently on her handheld microphone while unleashing her power and vibrato on her cover of Houston’s iconic hit.

In the end, Sanchez received a standing ovation from the judges and the audience alike.

Jessica “just made 40 million people cry,” said judge Steven Tyler.

“Not only are you one of the best singers tonight — I think you’re one of the best singers in the whole competition!” announced Randy Jackson.

Fat Joe & Chris Brown Ready for “Another Round”…

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Tom Castaneda

Fat Joe has partnered with Chris Brown for “another round” of oh-so-catchy music…

The 41-year-old half-Cuban/half-Puerto Rican American rapper—who recently shed 88 pounds off his previous weight of 350 pounds—jams out with Brown in the just released music video for their single “Another Round.”

In the clip directed by Colin Tilley, the pair perform the track on a Southern California beach while surrounded by exotic ladies clad in barely-there bikinis. Fat Joe stays warm in a sweater and scarf, while Brown dons a Versace x H&M jacket.

The slimmed-down singer name-drops Janet Jackson, Kim Kardashian and Rihanna on “Another Round,” which samples Troop’s “I Will Always Love You.”

The track is expected to appear on Fat Joe’s upcoming studio album.

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