Latin Urban acts have commanded the course of the Latin charts for quite a while. 2017 and 2018, particularly, burst at the seams with an increasing amount of collaborations by urban heavy hitters with pop, bachata, and even tropical acts magnifying their mainstream presence and changing the game of the format.
The surge doesn’t seem to abate, as the genre has embraced a handful of unique visitors: Beyoncé was the featured act on J Balvin and Willy William’s “Mi Gente,” which led the chart for 12 consecutive weeks holding steady in the top 10 throughout its 56-week charting period.
Pharrell Williams made his first chart entry with J Balvin’s “Safari,” which also featured Bia and Sky and ranked in the top 10 for 22 weeks. Justin Bieber ruled the chart for an impressive 56 weeks with Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito.” The song currently ranks at No. 3 in the tracking week, with a lofty 86 weeks on the chart.
This week, rapper 6ix9ine makes his first Latin chart entry debuting at No. 1 with his all-Spanish song “BEBE” featuring Puerto Rican Anuel AA. It’s the first song to debut at the summit in over two years, since Shakira opened at the top with “Chantaje” featuring Maluma in 2016.
Yet, going back 32 years since the chart’s inception in 1986, and looking at the Top 20 Latin Songs of all time on the Hot Latin Songs chart — which blends airplay, digital sales, and streams data — traditional pop is the core of the list with 12 of its 20 titles by Latin pop acts. The genre’s ubiquity still holds up in spite of passing trends.
The Top 20 Hot Latin Songs of All Time chart is based on weekly performance on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, from its Oct. 4, 1986, inception through Sept. 15, 2018. Songs on the all-time chart are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at lower spots earning the least. Due to changes in chart methodology over the years, eras are weighted differently to account for chart turnover rates over various periods.
Let’s take a look at the Top 20 Songs of all time on the Hot Latin Songs chart.
1. ”Despacito” – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
Debuted at No. 2 on the Feb. 4, 2017 -dated list. Hit No. 1 two weeks later (chart dated Feb. 18, 2017), leading the chart for a record of 56 weeks.
2. “Propuesta Indecente” – Romeo Santos
Peaked at No. 1 on chart dated Sept. 28, 2013, remaining at the summit for four weeks.
3. “A Puro Dolor” – Son By Four
Peaked at No. 1 on the April 21, 2000-dated tally, leading for 20 weeks.
4. “Si Tú Supieras” – Alejandro Fernández
Hit No. 1 on the Oct. 18, 1997-dated list, crowning the chart for six weeks.
5. “La Tortura” – Shakira featuring Alejandro Sanz
Peaked at No. 1 on the June 4, 2005-dated tally, reigning for 25 weeks.
6. “Te Quiero” – Flex
Hit No. 1 on chart dated April 5, 2008, ruling for 20 weeks.
7. “No Me Doy Por Vencido” – Luis Fonsi
Peaked at No. 1 on the Sept. 13, 2008-dated chart. It crowned the list for 19 weeks.
8. “El Perdón” – Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias
Peaked at No. 1 on the March 21, 2015- dated tally, leading the chart for 30 consecutive weeks.
9. “Bailando” – Enrique Iglesias Featuring Descemer Bueno & Gente de Zona
Hit No. 1 on the May 17, 2014-dated chart. It led the list for 41 consecutive weeks.
10. “Ritmo (Bad Boys For Life)” Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin
Debuted at No. 29 on the Oct. 26, 2019-dated list to peak at No. 1 on the Jan. 4, 2020 tally. It ruled for 24 weeks.
11. “Me Enamora” – Juanes
Debuted at No. 1 on the Sept. 29, 2007-dated chart, reigning for 20 weeks.
12. “MIA” – Bad Bunny featuring Drake
Peaked at No. 1 just on its second chart week (Oct. 27, 2018) where it remained for 16 weeks.
13. “Abrazame Muy Fuerte” – Juan Gabriel
Hit No. 1 on the Jan. 27, 2001- dated list. It led the chart for nine weeks.
14. “Hasta El Amanecer” – Nicky Jam
Peaked at No. 1 on chart dated March 19, 2016, staying at the penthouse for 18 weeks.
15. “Ay Amor” – Ana Gabriel
Peaked at No. 1 on the Jan. 23, 1998-dated chart, ruling for 14 weeks.
16. “Suerte (Whenever, Wherever)” – Shakira
Peaked at No. 1 on the chart dated Oct. 6, 2001, reining for seven weeks.
17. “No Me Queda Más” – Selena
Peaked at No. 1 on the Dec. 17, 1994-dated tally. It crowned the list for seven weeks.
18. “De Mi Enamórate” – Daniela Romo
Peaked at No. 1 on the chart dated Dec. 20, 1996. It led the tally for 14 consecutive weeks.
19. “Ginza” – J Balvin
Debuted at No. 5 and hit No. 1 on the Oct. 17, 2015. It remained at the penthouse for 22 consecutive weeks.
20. “Vivir Mi Vida” – Marc Anthony
Peaked at No. 1 on just its second chart week (May 18, 2013) where it remained for 17 weeks during its 54-week charting period.
