Anuel AA’s Single “China,” with Daddy Yankee, Karol G, J Balvin & Ozuna, Rises to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart

Anuel AA is back at the top of the charts…

The 26-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and singer’s latest single “China,” featuring Daddy YankeeKarol GOzuna and J Balvin, rises 2-1 in just its third week on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart dated August 17. 

Anuel AA, Karol G. Ozuna, Daddy Yankee

It’s the fastest climb to the top in 2019 and the quickest ascent since Bad Bunny’s “MIA,” featuring Drake, jumped 9-1 in its second week (October 27, 2018).

“I’m extremely happy, blessed and grateful to God and my fans,” Anuel AA tells Billboard. “I thank my colleagues for trusting me, my team for their great work and giving their 200% to make this dream come true.”

“China” is a reimagination of Shaggy’s 2000 hit “It Wasn’t Me.” It was produced by Tainy and co-written by the five artists on the track. 

It opened at No. 2 just three weeks ago, on the August 3-dated list.

“The artists on this track give it an elevated presence right out of the gate given the caliber of each individually and the power they present here collectively,” Ismael Santa Cruz, Vice President, Managing Director Radio Strategy at Univision Communications, tells Billboard. “The fact that the track samples a hit from 19 years ago also helps it build a foundation from which to grow on.”

Despite the song’s decline in streaming activity and digital sales (in the week ending August 8, according to Nielsen Music), “China” moves thanks to 6% boost in audience impressions (to 8 million) earned in the week ending August 11.

The Hot Latin Songs chart ranks the most popular Latin songs of the week, blending streaming, sales and airplay data.

“‘China’ is the strongest song of my career up to date,” Anuel AA told Billboard on July 12. “It’s the mix of different cultures with each of the collaborators contributing with its own flow. I had been looking to revive a classic and when I heard Shaggy’s mix, it hit me.”

“China” is Anuel AA’s third leader, Daddy Yankee’s seventh, Karol G’s second, Ozuna’s fourth, and J Balvin’s sixth. Notably, Karol G becomes the first core Latin female artist to secure a No. 1 on the Hot Latin Songs tally in over a year — since Karol herself led the list. Her first No. 1 arrived on May 12, 2018, with “Dame Tu Cosita,” a co-billed track with Pitbull and El Chombo, featuring Cutty Ranks. It topped the list for two weeks. 

“The inclusion of Karol G helped the track,” Santa Cruz adds. “It was important to include a female artist in the song. This is a great time for female artists in the Latin rhythmic space as they are driving a lot of momentum and bringing a fresh sound.”

Prior to Karol G, the last time a core Latin female artist ranked at No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs was way back in early 2017, when Shakira’s “Chantaje,” featuringMaluma, wrapped up 10 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 on the February 11, 2017-dated list.

Since then, three women who traditionally have only charted with English-language recordings have claimed the crown: Selena Gomez and Cardi B (featured on DJ Snake‘s “Taki Taki,” alongside Ozuna; 13 nonconsecutive weeks starting October 13, 2018) and Beyoncé (featured on J Balvin and Willy William‘s “Mi Gente”; 10 consecutive weeks starting October 21, 2017).

Beyond “China’s” coronation on Hot Latin Songs, the tune also climbs to a new high on the Latin Digital Songs Sales and Latin Streaming Songs chart through an equal 2-1 boost.

On the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, “China” lifts 44-43.

Anuel AA’s All-Star New Single “China” Debuts at No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart

It’s an Asian invasion, of sorts, by Anuel AAon the Billboardcharts…

The 26-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and single “China,” an all-star collaboration with 

Anuel AA, Karol G, Daddy Yankee & J Balvin

Daddy YankeeKarol GOzuna and J Balvin — blasts onto the Hot Latin Songschart at No. 2 on the chart dated August 3. 

The song is the first single from Anuel’s upcoming album, Emmanuel.

“China,” produced by Tainyand co-written by each of the five artists on the track, is a reimagination of Shaggy’s “It Wasn’t Me.”

“‘China’ is the strongest song of my career up to date,” Anuel told Billboard on July 12. “It’s the mix of different cultures with each of the collaborators contributing with its own flow. I had been looking to revive a classic and when I heard Shaggy’s mix, it hit me. The original rhythm had strong Chinese elements, hence the name of the song. I sent the mix to Daddy Yankee, he loved it and recorded his part after just three days. Karol then heard it and fell in love with the vibe. Ozuna and Balvin then came on board.”

“China” opens at No. 2 on the Hot Latin Songs chart, which blends airplay, digital sales and streaming data, largely on the strength of streaming activity. It collected 14.1 million U.S. clicks in the week ending July 25, according to Nielsen Music, which enables its No. 1 debut on the Latin Streaming Songs chart.

“I always believed ‘China’ would be a hit!” Karol G tells Billboard. “Actually, I dared to tell everyone that it would be the hit of 2019! It makes me happy to be part of big opportunities such as this one, which lead the way to all those other goals that I still have to achieve.”

Sales, too, assist “China” in its Hot Latin Songs debut: The song registered 1,000 digital downloads in its first tracking week, opening at No. 1 on the Latin Digital Song Saleschart. The tune also starts at No. 34 on the Latin Airplay chart, garnering 4.8 million audience impressions in the week ending July 28.

The collaboration becomes just the second title to debut in the top two of the Hot Latin Songs chart in 2019. The only other song to debut in the top two this year was another track by J Balvin, as his collaboration with Bad Bunny, “Que Pretendes,” started at No. 2 on the July 13-dated chart.

“China” earns Anuel his 10th top 10 on the tally. It bests his second collaboration with Karol G: “Secreto,” a No. 4 high (April 27-dated list).

“China” earns Anuel his 10th top 10 on the tally and highest-charting song as a lead artist. (He’s only gone higher as the featured act on 6ix9ine‘s “BEBE,” which debuted at No. 1 on Sept. 15, 2018.) Meanwhile, Daddy Yankee, who nabs his 29th top 10, now ties with ChayanneChristian Castroand Shakirafor the third-most top 10s on the list which began in 1986.