'Despacito' sweeps Latin Grammys - and heads to Asia

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"Despacito," the viral dance hit that swept past borders, won big Thursday at the Latin Grammys where singer Luis Fonsi announced a new frontier for the song -- the Chinese-speaking world.

"Despacito" won four awards including Record of the Year and Song of the Year, which recognizes writing, in the year's biggest night for Spanish- and Portuguese-language music.

The infectious reggaeton tune, which Fonsi sings with a rap assist from fellow Puerto Rican Daddy Yankee, was already a global hit when a remix featuring Justin Bieber brought it into the US mainstream.

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee perform in Florida in April 2017. /AFP Photo

"Despacito" became the most-watched video ever on YouTube and tied for most weeks on number one of the US singles chart - a feat all the more impressive considering how few non-English songs fare well in the world's largest music market.

"It's been a beautiful year. Twelve or 11 months of hard work representing our language in the entire world and enjoying a song that, thanks to Latin audiences and many beyond, has become so influential and has united the entire world and broken language barriers," Fonsi told reporters at the gala in Las Vegas.

Fonsi is not done with "Despacito." He announced he will launch a new version in two weeks with Singaporean singer and producer JJ Lin, a star in Mandarin-language pop.

"I sang a little bit in Mandarin. The song has become a worldwide phenomenon and singing it in Mandarin is an honor," said Fonsi, who will tour Asia next year.

Source(s): AFP