LUIS FONSI ON "DESPACITO" DOMINATION

What do the Grammys mean to you, and what are your thoughts on being recognized?
For any artist, musician, producer, engineer or songwriter, the word Grammy has a very important meaning—and we’ve all dreamed of being nominated. I’m no different; as a music graduate, I feel extremely honored and grateful to be recognized by the Academy. Though we’re living in a divided world at present, I’m very proud of the fact that a mostly Spanish song is nominated in three major categories. It is not only historic but hopeful. Music has no language or barrier; music brings us together. That’s the message I stand by on a daily basis, and I’m so happy others feel the same way.

Is it fair to say that Latin music is having a moment? Or do you see the explosion of “Despacito” and some other Spanish-language hits in the U.S. mainstream as something more cyclical?
It has been a very important year for Latin music, no doubt about it. But this has been a group effort. It’s been many years in the making, from the pioneers who crossed over, including Julio Iglesias, Jose Feliciano, Gloria Estefan and Ricky Martin, who have really pushed that door open, little by little, song by song. I think “Despacito” gave it that last push and allowed us to put Latin music where it needs to be. We need to continue encouraging unity, and music has that power.

Did you expect “Despacito” to become the global phenomenon it became? What was it about that song, do you think, that connected so strongly?
I’ve been asked this question many times, and I still have not figured out why “Despacito” did what it did. I honestly wanted to write and release an amazing song with a new sound for my Latin audience; that was my goal. At no time was I trying to write a crossover record. But of course, I am so happy that so many people around the world connected to it—regardless of the language—and enjoyed it as much as we did making it. I’m grateful that it has allowed me to not only provide some happiness and entertainment during these difficult times but also to have the opportunity to meet a brand-new audience from all over the world. That’s unique, especially when I’ve been at this for almost 20 years. It’s a humbling and wonderful experience.

Say a little about how Justin Bieber got involved with the remix.
The story behind our collaboration was that he was on tour in Bogotá, Colombia, and he went out to a club, heard “Despacito,” and saw how people went crazy over it. He contacted us through his management. He wanted to jump on the song, so he did an English version at the beginning, and he sang the hook with me in Spanish, which is a cool thing for him to take the time to do. The lyrics, which are not easy in this song—it’s a very lyric-heavy chorus—and the fact that he did it in Spanish was a great thing and opened the door for other artists to do the same.

â€¨What’s next for you?
I’m currently on tour in Europe, and just a week and a half ago I released my second single, titled “Échame La Culpa,” with the amazing Demi Lovato, which is doing incredibly well. I still have several commitments this year, and after the holidays, I will start promotion again in the U.S. and combine it with my world tour. It’s a lot of work, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.