Despacito

"Despacito" was written by Luis Fonsi, Erika Ender, and Daddy Yankee, with production by Mauricio Rengifo and Andrés Torres. Fonsi initially conceived the song as a pop ballad, but after collaborating with Ender and Daddy Yankee, it evolved into an upbeat reggaeton track. The song is in the key of B minor with a tempo of 89 beats per minute, featuring a distinctive guitar riff and a dembow rhythm. The lyrics, which blend romantic and sensual imagery, were crafted to be catchy yet family-friendly, with Fonsi noting that he wanted a song that could be enjoyed by all ages.

Upon release, "Despacito" achieved unprecedented global success. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 11 weeks, becoming the first Spanish-language song to reach No. 1 since "Macarena" in 1996. The remix featuring Justin Bieber, released in April 2017, propelled the song to new heights, helping it reach No. 1 in the United States and many other countries. The original video became the first to surpass 3 billion views on YouTube, and later 4 billion, holding the record for most-viewed video until 2022. The song also broke streaming records, becoming the most-streamed song of all time on Spotify with over 1.5 billion streams.

"Despacito" played a pivotal role in the mainstream crossover of Latin music in the late 2010s, paving the way for other Spanish-language hits like "Mi Gente" and "Havana." It sparked a global dance craze and was covered and parodied by numerous artists and fans. The song also sparked discussions about cultural appropriation, particularly regarding the Justin Bieber remix, with some critics arguing that the remix overshadowed the original artists. Despite this, the song was praised for its positive representation of Latin culture and its ability to unite listeners across language barriers.

"Weird Al" Yankovic titled "Despacito" (in English), which was released in 2017. Furthermore, the song's music video was the first to reach 5 billion views, a milestone that highlighted the global reach of Latin music.

Reggaeton

A music genre that originated in Puerto Rico in the late 1990s, blending hip-hop, Latin American, and Caribbean music.

Dembow

A rhythmic pattern that is a defining feature of reggaeton music.

Latin Grammy

An award presented by the Latin Recording Academy to recognize excellence in Latin music.