Whether you love it or hate it, Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” continues to break global streaming records. The massive summer hit has sparked all kinds of pop cultural conversations about authenticity, the exploitation of Latinos in the music industry, and the potential for the song to spawn another so-called Latin boom. This week, for the 15th in a row, it tops the Billboard Hot 100. (Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day” is the only other single to spend more time at no. 1).
But perhaps the most impressive accomplishment of the song’s long reign on the charts is the fact that it just became the longest-running Spanish-language no. 1 hit, according to Billboard. As we’ve reported before, the only other song to claim this record is Los del Río’s “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” in 1996.
Though several publications have speculated on the “shift to Latin” following “Despacito”’s meteoric success, only time will tell if the song truly reshapes the mainstream landscape for Latino artists, or whether it continues the trend of Latin music’s perception as a kitsch novelty on the charts.
If you’re tired of “Despacito,” check out 50 other summer songs before the season is over.
[H/T Billboard]