Luis Alfonso RodrguezLópez-Cepero, better known as Luis Fonsi, is a Puerto Rican musician and composer. He gets popularity with his world-famous Spanish song “Despacito.” For the song, he received specific awards.
Luis Fonsi first started as a classic Latin balladeer, and he achieved popularity as such. Yet, it barely sums up what he does artistically. Instead, Fonsi is a top-notch singing artist, entertainer, and reality star with a very successful career.
Early life
Luis always wanted to be a singer since he was a child as he was interested in music. Menudo inspired him a lot as a kid. In addition, he became a member of the San Juan Children’s Choir.
He went to Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Florida, and was a ‘Big Guys’ music group member. He enrolled in Florida State University’s School of Music in 1995, majoring in vocal performance on a scholarship.
He joined the Florida State University Singers, the school’s choir. He took advantage of the chance to sing in other areas of the world. During this period, he made several demo recordings in Miami. Universal Music Latin shortly granted him a recording deal.
However, he did not complete his study. He focused on his debut album, ‘Comenzaré’ (I Will Begin), which turned out to be a super hit. After releasing several studio albums over the years, he rose to international fame in 2017 with ‘Despacito,’ which splashed in over 50 countries. It was the most-watched song on stage with over 5 billion views in May 2018.
Personal life
Luis Fonsi began to develop feelings for Puerto Rican actress Adamari López around 2003. After learning of López’s cancer, he canceled his worldwide tour in the middle of 2005. He accompanied her to Mexico, Miami, and Puerto Rico for her treatment and professional commitments. In Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, they officially got married. In November 2009, the couple issued a press release announcing their separation.
After that, Fonsi was intimately related to the Spanish model Agueda López. Mikaela, the couple’s daughter, was born in December 2011. Following a three-year relationship, the pair married on September 10, 2014. On December 20, 2016, Rocco, their son, was born.
Career
Luis Fonsi’s debut album, ‘Comenzaré’ (I Will Begin), was a massive success in Puerto Rico and Latin America when it was released in 1998. The hits from the album were ‘Perdóname,’ ‘Si T Quisieras,’ ‘Dime Como,’ and ‘Me Iré.’
He released his second studio album, ‘Eterno,’ a blockbuster, on June 20, 2000. It reached number six on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart. In addition, it’s single, ‘Imaginame Sin Ti,’ got the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart.
He played at Pope John Paul II’s Great Jubilee Concert for a Debt-Free World on May 1, 2000. Fonsi received a Latin Grammy Award the same year for a song he wrote for Puerto Rican vocalist EdnitaNazario.
On March 12, 2002, Universal Music Latino published his third studio album, ‘Amor Secreto’ (Secret Love), and released his debut English album, ‘Fight the Feeling,’ in the same year. Moreover, he tried a crossover with the single ‘Secret.’ That same year, he was the opening act for Britney Spears‘ Dream Within a Dream performance in the United States and Mexico.
On October 28, 2003, his fifth studio album, ‘Abrazar la Vida,’ was published. It was on number three among the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart and was certified platinum (Latin) by the RIAA. He also performed at Miss World the same year in China, which thousands of people worldwide viewed.
He recorded ‘Amazing’ with Spice Girl’s Emma Bunton for her 2004 album ‘Free Me.’ He appeared in the Mexican television serial drama ‘Corazones al Limite’ the same year.
In 2005, he released the album ‘Paso a Paso.’ It received Disco De Platino certification in the United States for 200,000 unit sales. The album’s lead song, “Nada Es Para Siempre,” charted at number one and received a Latin Grammy nomination.
When he debuted his single ‘Despacito,’ featuring Daddy Yankee, in 2017, he had his breakout year. The remix eventually hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States for the week.
Great Works
Fonsi’s album “Comenzaré” reached number 27 On Billboard’s Top Latin Albums list. The RIAA certified it platinum. His album ‘Amor Secreto’ debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart. Its song ‘Quisiera Poder Olvidarme De Ti’ debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart. The RIAA recognized the track as platinum (Latin).
His Spanish single, ‘Despacito,’ was a huge success. As of May 2018, the YouTube video had received 5 billion views. In addition, the song topped virtually every Latin Billboard chart and became the most viewed song of all time.
Despacito’s success
Fonsi’s single, “Despacito,” starring Daddy Yankee, debuted in January 2017 and quickly became the year’s unstoppable pop superhit. He starts breaking records in almost 50 nations, including an unmatched record, the U.S. Top 40 for a Spanish-language song.
By August, the blockbuster song had become the most-watched video ever on YouTube, with 4.5 billion views. It had done so quicker than any other music video recorded ever. It is also the song with the most significant number of streams in history.
On November 16, 2017, the song won Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the Latin Grammys. In addition, its remix received the prize for Best Urban Fusion/Performance. The viewer’s choice for Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance was declared at the 2018 Grammy Awards, while the original was listed for Song of the Year.
Awards and Achievements
Luis Fonsi got nominated for the first time by Grammy awards for the debut song “Aqui Estoy Yo.” It was defined as the song of the year, which broke all records and became a trendsetter. He also won three Billboard Latin Music Awards for the song.
“Despacito” became Fonsi’s most successful single, earning four Latin Grammy Awards, seven Billboard Latin Music Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, and three Grammy nominations. He also received a Latin American Music Award for his collaboration with Demi Lovato on “Échame la Culpa.”
He has broken the record of six Guinness World Albums and sold over 11 million copies of “Despacito” in 2018. In addition, “Despacito” had over 7 billion views on YouTube as of November 2020, making it the most-watched song of all time.
Luis Fonsi Net Worth
The famous artist has a net worth of $20 million with $1.7 million yearly. Besides his income from selling albums, he also earns about $1,41,667 monthly from his YouTube channel. However, it may vary as it depends on the number of views, likes, and comments.
Conclusion:
Besides an incredible singer and songwriter, Luis established a relief fund for the reconstruction of La Perla. In this Puerto Rican neighborhood, Despacito was shot as it got devastated by Hurricane Maria.
He has over 30M subscribers on his YouTube channel. However, he loves spending time with his family in their $5 million-worth mansion located in an elite Miami area. He also has a vast, luxurious collection of cars.