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.
