The global hit song ‘Despacito’ has been taken off Malaysia’s airwaves.
The call by Angkatan Wanita Amanah Nasional (Awan) for ‘Despacito’ to be kept out of Malaysia’s airwaves has materialised with Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak saying that Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) will cease broadcasting it at all its radio and television stations immediately.
Awan’s Arts and Culture chairperson Atriza Umar said yesterday that many young children were singing the song without actually understanding its sexually explicit lyrics.
‘Despacito’, Spanish for ‘slowly’, is described as a “reggaeton-pop song about having a sexual relationship performed in a smooth and romantic way”.
Since its release in January, ‘Despacito’ has taken over the world all year.
The catchy song enjoyed an incredible boost after Justin Bieber recorded a remix of the track.
The smash hit by Puerto Ricans Luis Fonsi and rapper Daddy Yankee has made the fastest climb to two billion views on YouTube – in just 154 days.
A little more than a week after the Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth anthem ‘See You Again’ supplanted K-pop star Psy’s five-year record for the most-viewed YouTube video of all time, it looks like the unstoppable ‘Despacito’ is poised to assume the throne.
The upbeat track has also set the record for being the most streamed song of all time, with more than 4.6 billion plays six months after its release.
Daddy Yankee recently ousted Ed Sheeran this year to become the first Latino artist to lead in Spotify streams, thanks in part to ‘Despacito’s’ success.
Certain quarters have also taken offence to the “racy” music video.
There is a version, however, that nobody would dispute is a joy to watch.
In Niana Guerrero’s ‘Despacito’ video, she is seen breaking into dance every time the Spanish song comes on, whether that be in the streets, in a supermarket or while she’s eating!
So spontaneous is Guerrero in expressing her joy for the song that you will feel you want to get up and dance too!
Over 66 million people have watched Guerrero’s self-crafted moves to the infectious tune, propelling the young girl into an instant star.
