"Despacito" has become the most streamed track of all time with more than 4.6 billion plays across streaming platforms.
Universal Music Latin Entertainment announced Tuesday the song by Puerto Rican artists Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee and the accompanying remix featuring pop star Justin Bieber had surpassed the previous record holder — Bieber's 2015 hit song "Sorry," which has 4.38 billion plays. "Despacito, which was released in January, has been at the top of Billboard Hot 100 for weeks.
"What's happened with this song is just insane," Fonsi said.
Fonsi said in a statement that streaming has helped his music reach every corner of the planet.
"I don't want to use the word accident because I was trying to write a hit, but I didn't plan for it to cross over," the Puerto Rican artist, who lives in Miami, said, adding that he "just wanted to make people dance."
Fonsi also said that Despacito's success gave him hope despite somewhat gloomy political environment, implying U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration tough stance on migration.
"We're living in an interesting time right now when people want to divide us. They want to build walls. And for a song to bring people and cultures together, that's what makes me proud," Fonsi said.
Daddy Yankee recently ousted Ed Sheeran this year to become the first Latino artist to lead in Spotify streams, thanks in part to "Despacito's" success.
