We've all seen the footage of Justin Bieber botching the lyrics to Luis Fonsi's "Despacito" during an appearance at 1OAK last month. Bieber's fumble immediately sparked controversy, with some calling the performance an example of exploitation:
In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Luis Fonsi seemed unbothered by Bieber's screw-up. "That chorus is not easy to sing, even for fluent Spanish singers like myself," Fonsi said Wednesday. "It's got a lot of lyrics, it's kind of tongue-twisty."
The "Despacito" remix came together after Bieber was introduced to Fonsi and Daddy Yankee's track while on tour in South America. After hearing "Despacito" in a club, Bieber reached out to Fonsi's team. "He saw how people reacted, and right away he was like, 'I want to be a part of this movement,'" Fonsi toldRolling Stone. Bieber's appearance, he added, is "big for Latin music."
The Bieber-featuring "Despacito" remix is currently No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the song's third straight week at the top. The hit is the first mostly Spanish-language chart topper in more than 20 years. The last No. 1 with mostly Spanish lyrics was the Bayside Boys remix of Los del Río's monster hit "Macarena" back in 1996.
Related Stories
Justin Bieber Earns Back-to-Back No. 1 Songs, Makes Billboard Hot 100 Chart History
Justin Bieber became the first artist to earn new No. 1 songs on the Hot 100 chart in consecutive weeks.
Justin Bieber Shows Off His Rapping Skills on Diplo's "Bank Roll" With Young Thug and Rich the Kid
Bieber joins Thugger and Rich the Kid on the long-promised Diplo track.
DJ Khaled's "I'm the One" f/ Chance the Rapper, Justin Bieber, Quavo, and Lil Wayne Debuts at No. 1
Dj Khaled's new anthem "I'm the One" featuring Chance the Rapper, Justin Bieber, Quavo and Lil Wayne debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
