‘Despacito’ Just Became The First Video To Reach Three Billion Views On YouTube

It’s only been online for less than nine months, but Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” music video has just become the first clip to reach, and pass, the three billion play milestone on YouTube, making history in the process.

It was only earlier today that “Despacito” overtook Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth’s “See You Again” to become the most popular video on YouTube. That hip-hop/pop track had stolen the crown from Psy’s “Gangnam Style” just one month prior, so it didn’t get to rule for very long. While the honor of being on top seems to be changing hands regularly these days, there doesn’t appear to be any upload that will challenge “Despacito” for the No. 1 position, at least not for some time.

“Despacito” was first uploaded to YouTube back in mid-January, and ever since, people all around the world haven’t been able to stop pressing play on the colorful, fun-loving visual. All of those YouTube views have helped propel the song up the charts, and the track is still going strong in almost every territory. In fact, the tune remains firmly planted at No. 1 on the Hot 100 this week for its twelfth turn at the top.

While it was the addition of Justin Bieber that pushed “Despacito” to the peak of the all-encompassing singles tally in most English speaking nations, it is the original version of the video that has earned the honor of becoming the first visual to collect at least three billion plays. There is no official video featuring the Canadian pop star, though an audio-only upload, which originally caused quite a commotion and grabbed the attention of those who had been missing out on Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s biggest hit, does already have about half a billion clicks, and that figure is steadily climbing.

In addition to being the only video with three billion plays, “Despacito” also made history just a few months back when it bolted to two billion YouTube streams faster than any other single visual had, proving itself to be an instant smash and fan favorite.

“Despacito” may be the first video to ever reach three billion watches, but it won’t be the last, and it’s likely only going to be a matter of days before a second popular clip joins the Latin tune. “See You Again” is close behind, and for a little while, it looked like that Furious 7 soundtrack tune might have become the first to earn the glory, but now it will have to settle for coming in a very close second place.