‘Despacito’ becomes most-viewed video on YouTube
Aug 7, 2017, 11:01 AM | Updated: 9:09 pm
PHOENIX — “Despacito,” that song that has been stuck in your head all summer, became the most-viewed video ever on YouTube over the weekend.
YouTube announced Friday that Luis Fonsi’s ubiquitous song with Daddy Yankee has surpassed previous record holder “See You Again,” the song by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth from the “Furious 7” soundtrack.
“Despactio” is also the most “liked” video on YouTube and has received more than three billion views since being uploaded in January.
“Despacito” became an international smash hit this year, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The record-breaking video does not include the popular remix with Justin Bieber; that version has been viewed more than 464 million times.
The former most-viewed video, “See You Again,” was the song written in the memory of the late actor Paul Walker, who starred in the “Fast and Furious” franchise. Walker was killed in a car crash prior to the release of “Furious 7.”
“See You Again” was nominated for both a Grammy and an Oscar, and though it did not win either, it won a slew of other awards.
The “Furious 7” hit ousted Psy’s “Gangnam Style” earlier this year. His hit kind of caught the world off-guard.
He had been a massive success in South Korea, but “Gangnam Style” really gave his career in America a huge push and led to far too many covers and parody videos.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
