'Despacito' Is Now the Most Watched Video On YouTube Ever

With 2,994,056,666 views as of publishing, “Despacito” snatches the all-time YouTube views crown from previous record-holder, Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth’s “See You Again” (2,993,712,651 views). It was a short run for “See You Again,” which only dethroned the five-year title-holder, PSY’s “Gangnam Style,” in mid-July.

The Bieber-remix may have been responsible for popularizing the original Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee track in the States, but he doesn’t actually appear in the video, and that’s not the version that hit three billion views (the remix has only been watched 464 million times). This confirms my theory that we don’t actually need Justin Bieber, either as a person or promotional tool.

While it took “See You Again” more than two years to snatch the title away from “Gangnam Style,” “Despacito has only been around for seven months, meaning it hasn’t even hit its max viewership yet.

If you’re Despacito’d out (and if so, TOO BAD, ‘cause we got a lotta weeks of summer left, baby), allow me to turn your attention to my favorite Latin American earworm of late, Danny Ocean’s “Me Rehúso.” It was technically released in 2016 so it’s not exactly new, but it’s a damn catchy jam that’s only continuing to pick up steam. There’s an English version, too, but who cares. Dale: