Luis Fonsi says 'Despacito' has given him opportunities to learn from other musicians

George Pennacchio Image
Friday, August 18, 2017
Luis Fonsi talks 'Despacito' fame, opportunities
Luis Fonsi has been working for the kind of chart-topping success he's enjoying with "Despacito" for two decades.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Luis Fonsi has been working for the kind of chart-topping success he's enjoying with "Despacito" for two decades.

"I'm not new to this. I know how to really enjoy it. It's not overwhelming," he said.

The Puerto Rican singer released his first album in 1998 and went on to release seven studio records.

But "Despacito" is by far his most commercially successful recording, becoming the most streamed song on Spotify and the most viewed music video on YouTube.

"Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to be a musician. I didn't want to be famous. I wanted to be a musician and that never changes. What changes is that 'Despacito' has opened a lot of doors for me," he said. "Now I'm able to collaborate with artists that maybe before wouldn't pay so much attention.

"Those kind of things, I think, are great because it's bringing us together as musicians. It's giving me opportunities to learn from other musicians and just grow in general."

Fonsi's Love and Dance tour comes to Southern California next month. He'll be at the Wiltern on Sept. 9.