“Despacito” (“Slowly”) is a song by Puerto Rican singer uis Fonsi featuring Puerto Rican rapper and singer Daddy Yankee as the lead single from Fonsi’s 2019 studio album Vida. Released in January 2017, the song was written by Fonsi, Erika Ender and Daddy Yankee, and produced by Mauricio Rengifo and Andres Torres. A remix version featuring Canadian singer Justin Bieber was released in April 2017, which helped to improve the chart performance of the song in numerous countries, including various number-one positions. “Despacito” has been widely credited by music journalists as being instrumental in popularizing Spanish-language pop music in the mainstream market again. It is a reggaeton and Latin pop song composed in common time with lyrics about desiring a sexual relationship, performed in a smooth and romantic way. “Despacito” received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who praised the fusion between Latin and urban rhythms, its catchiness, and its text painting. The song topped the charts of 47 countries including the UK and reached the top 10 of six others.
“Súbeme la Radio” (“Turn Up the Radio for Me”) is a song by Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias featuring Cuban singer Descemer Bueno and Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Zion & Lennox. The song was released by RCA Records in February 2017. It was written by Iglesias, Zion & Lennox, Bueno, Chris Jeday, Juan Rivera and Luis Ortiz, and produced by Jeday, Carlos Paucar and Gaby Music. “Súbeme la Radio” peaked at number two in Spain and on the US Hot Latin Songs chart. Another Spanglish version of the song was released in July 2017, featuring Paul and English singer Matt Terry who sings the second verse, instead of Iglesias. This version reached the top 10 on the UK Singles Chart.
“DNA” is a song recorded in two languages (Korean and Japanese) by South Korean boy band BTS. The Korean version was released in September 2017, as the lead single from the band’s fifth EP Love Yourself:Her (2017). The Japanese version of the song was released in December 2017, as a triple A-side single album. Both versions were written by Hitman Bang, Supreme Boi, KASS, Suga, RM, Pdogg, with the latter of the six solely handling production. An EDM and pop song, the lyrics talk about fate and love at first sight. The song received generally favourable reviews from music critics, who praised its production, sound, and the band’s musical direction. Commercially, the Korean version of “DNA” debuted at number two on the GAON. The song peaked at number 67 on the US Billboard and at number 90 in the UK, becoming the band’s first entry on both the charts.
“Mi Gente” (English: My People) is a song recorded by Colombian singer J Balvin and French singer and producer Willy William. It was released in June 2017. It is a remake of Willy William’s song “Voodoo Song” which is an original French song by Willy William that went viral on Facebook in 2016 and released one year after. The single was serviced to United States contemporary hit radio in July 2017. The original version topped the charts in most Latin American countries. In the United States, the original version of the song peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard and No. 5 in the UK.
“X” is a song by American singer Nicky Jam and Colombian singer J Balvin. Written by the two singers, Juan Diego Medina, Giordano Ashruf and its producers, Jeon and Afro Bros, it was released by Sony Music in March 2018. It is a Spanish dancehall song, featuring a synth trumpet hook. A Spanglish version of the song was released in April 2018. On June 28, 2018, a remix version featuring vocals by artists Maluma and Ozuna was released. The accompanying audio was also released on Nicky Jam’s YouTube channel on the same day. The song topped the charts in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Bolivia, El Salvador, Panama, Paraguay and Peru. It reached No. 74 in the UK. Nicky Jam performed the song solo during the 2018 FIFA World Cup closing ceremony.
