Despacito Reigns as the Most Influential Latin Song of the 21st Century iHeartRadio Enrique Santos

Title: “Despacito Tops Billboard’s List of 21st Century Hot Latin Songs: A Celebration of Latin Music’s Global Influence”

In a historic highlight of impactful Latin music, Billboard has crowned “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber as the No. 1 song on its Top Hot Latin Songs of the 21st Century list. Co-written by notable artists Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, Erika Ender, Justin Bieber, Poo Bear, and Marty James, this track has become a cultural icon, emblematic of the global extension of Spanish-language music.

Transformation of Spanish-Language Music

Produced by Mauricio Rengifo and Andrés Torres, “Despacito” gained remarkable momentum with Bieber’s remix, ruling the Hot Latin Songs chart for an unprecedented 56 weeks between 2017 and 2018. In a 2019 discussion with Emegypt, Fonsi remarked on the song’s ability to bridge cultural gaps, noting, “Looking back, what truly strikes me is how it opened a huge door for the non-Latin world to resonate with Latin music.” Besides captivating the Latin charts, “Despacito” also topped the Pop Airplay and dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for 16 weeks, setting a benchmark for Latin global movements.

Billboard’s Top Latin Anthems of the Century

Beyond “Despacito,” Billboard’s Top Hot Latin Songs of the 21st Century list unveils more groundbreaking tracks that have defined and reshaped the Latin music landscape:

• At No. 2 is “Propuesta Indecente” by Romeo Santos, a song that captivated audiences worldwide.
• Following closely is “Dakiti” by Bad Bunny and Jhay Cortez at No. 3, known for its genre-blending style.
• The No. 4 spot is taken by “A Puro Dolor” by Son by Four, a classic enduring hit.
• “RITMO (Bad Boys for Life)” by Black Eyed Peas and J Balvin finds its place at No. 5, merging hip-hop with Latin beats.

Lisiting continued, Luis Fonsi reappears at No. 6 with “No Me Doy Por Vencido,” followed by “El Perdón” by Nicky Jam and Enrique Iglesias taking No. 7. “Me Porto Bonito” by Bad Bunny and Chencho Corleone ranks at No. 8, with Shakira and Alejandro Sanz’s “La Tortura” at No. 9. Closing the top 10 is “Te Quiero” by Flex, each track representing milestones in Latin music’s global journey.

Impact on Latin Music from 2000 to 2024

This selection reflects the evolution and widespread influence of the Latin genre from 2000 through 2024. The ranking considers the Hot Latin Songs chart performances from January 2000 to December 2024, underscoring the enduring vitality and innovation within Latin music as it continues to captivate audiences around the globe.