First Latin artists to reach number one on Spotify

Luis Fonsi (USA, b. Luis Alfonso Rodríguez López-Cepero) and Daddy Yankee (Puerto Rico, b. Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez) were the first Latin artists to peak at No.1 on Spotify’s Global Top 200 daily chart with their smash hit “Despacito”, which reigned supreme for 101 days straight between 21 April and 30 July 2017. The original version of the song peaked at No.3 on 4 February 2017, but a remix featuring Justin Bieber helped it climb to the top. On 31 July 2017, the No.1 run of “Despacito” was halted by the second Latin track to make it to the summit: “Mi Gente”, by J Balvin feat. Willy William.

The Puerto Rico native is the first Latin artist to ever hold the #1 top spot globally.

This has been a long time coming for Daddy Yankee, whose success in 2004 for his mainstream breakthrough album ‘Barrio Fino’, credited him with transcending cultural boundaries. His success continued to soar into positioning him as an international brand name by the time his 2007 follow-up album, ‘El Cartel: The Big Boss,’ was released.