The tie’s the limit for Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee.
The 39-year-old Puerto Rican singer/songwriter and the 41-year-old rapper’s global phenomenon “Despacito,” featuring Justin Bieber, has tied the record for the most weeks spent at No. 1 in the history of Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart, as it logs its 41st week on top (on the ranking dated February 10).
The track matches the 41-week reign of Enrique Iglesias‘ “Bailando,” featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona, in 2014-15.
“My goal has always been to make good songs that people enjoy and perform them with passion and honesty,” Fonsi tells Billboard. “To break or tie records, although it is not the priority, is a sign that people feel that connection. Being a small part of the history of Latin music is a real honor.”
“Despacito” first led Hot Latin Songs (which blends streaming, airplay and sales data) almost a year ago, rising to its first week at No. 1 on the Feb. 18, 2017-dated chart.
It spent 35 consecutive weeks at No. 1 and then ceded the top spot to J Balvin and Willy Willliam‘s “Mi Gente,” featuring Beyoncé, for 12 weeks, beginning October 21.
“Despacito” then returned for another six weeks at No. 1 (so far).
On the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, “Despacito” spent 16 weeks at No. 1, tying Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men‘s “One Sweet Day” (in 1995-96) for the longest command in the chart’s 59-year history.
Helping “Despacito” on the most recent Hot Latin Songs chart: Fonsi and Daddy Yankee gave a high octane performance of the smash at the Grammy Awards on January 28, sparking a 9 percent gain to 16.8 million U.S. streams and 154 percent surge to 30,000 downloads sold in the week ending February 1, according to Nielsen Music.
Here’s a look at the hits with 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
41 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
