Luis Fonsi Talks 'Despacito' Success, Justin Bieber & Bringing Latin Music to the Forefront

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee made music history when their "Despacito" remix became the first mostly Spanish-language No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 since "Macarena" in 1996. The megahit already has all the makings of dominating the international markets and your upcoming summer parties, thanks to its infectious melodies, sexy swagger and the new addition of Justin Bieber's smooth feature.

We spoke to the Puerto Rican star about the incredible success of his "Despacito" smash, as well as what fans can expect from his upcoming ninth album. Read on for our chat with Fonsi.

FUSE: First off, congratulations on the success of “Despacito”! That’s my personal song of the summer. Did you pop a champagne bottle to celebrate?
No, that’s still on the to-do list [laughs]. We’ve been working nonstop pretty much since we dropped the single about five months ago. It’s been fun being on this promo tour and getting ready for the concert tour, which starts in a month. But yeah, I haven’t been able to sit down and enjoy a glass of champagne. But trust me, I will very soon!

This is the first Spanish song to hit No. 1 since the Macarena, which is incredible. Why do you think it took so long for another Spanish hit to get so big?
Let me tell you, I was surprised to hear that. You don’t really think about it. Obviously the charts are very important for all musicians, but it’s not something that I live by when I create a song. Once you release an album, you obviously want to be on the top of the list. I would be lying to you if I said it wasn’t important, of course it is. But at the time of the creation when you sit down with a guitar in your hand and you write a song…at least I wasn’t trying to make the next important Spanish song in the United States or in the world. I was just trying to write the best song I could. At no point in time I was trying to write a crossover song either, which I think was important because I think one of the reasons for the song’s success is that it came together very organically. It wasn’t forced or trying too hard from the beginning to break a record or create a statement. It was just always trying to be a feel-good song to make people dance. I wasn’t even trying to make the song of the summer! It was just a nice fusion of what I do, which is more of the pop side, and what Daddy Yankee does, which is more urban. The rest just kind of happened on its own, and maybe that’s why it’s working very naturally.