At the beginning of 2021, a book called ‘The Despacito Formula’ was published, a work in which its author Leila Cobo tried to reveal, through interviews and her personal analysis, what was the great secret of some of the greatest songs in music. Latin In that work songs appeared such as “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, “Feliz Navidad” by José Feliciano, “Burbujas de amor” by Juan Luis Guerra, “Malamente” by Rosalía and fifteen other songs, among which was one of J Balvin’s biggest hits: “Mi gente”.
But not only the Paisa reggaeton player participated in this song, but also a French singer, who is also a native of the African island of Mauritius. The guest in this song is called Willy William.Willy William is a 43-year-old Afrobeat singer, who thanks to J Balvin’s song became one of the main references of this style in European and African music.
After appearing in J Balvin’s song, she also shared credits in other songs where she also sings and stars like Beyoncé appear. Jason Derulo, Gente de Zona and even the Vengaboys, performers of one of the most remembered songs of the nineties.
Willy William’s biggest hit is “Mi gente” with J Balvin, which currently has more than 3 billion views on YouTube and more than 1.4 billion plays on Spotify, but his songs like “Mambo” or “Ego” also had success on platforms.
The last of them reaches around 150 million views.
The moment J Balvin “stole” Willy William’s song
J Balvin was deeply interested in “Voodoo song”, the Frenchman’s first big hit. Willy William’s idea was for the paisa to create a new remix version, but he immediately clarified that the success of the new composition they would create together was in the lyrics. She had to be very Latin.
Willy William accepted, without knowing that “Mi gente”, the new version of his song in which J Balvin would also have him as a guest, would become one of the 10 most played non-children’s songs on You Tube until the day of today.
On this platform it is only surpassed by “See you again” by Wiz Khalifa, soundtrack of Fast and Furious; “Shape of you” by Ed Sheeran, who years ago released two songs with J Balvin that did not have a very good response, and, naturally, “Despacito.” The second most viewed song in the history of YouTube, surpassed only by the children’s megahit “Baby Shark” by Korean production company Pinkfong.
