The “Bailando” Effect

Every Latino, and now, several Americans know the song from Enrique Iglesias “Bailando.” The song took the world by storm and it is one the hottest singles in the music scene in 2014.

Did you think that Enrique Iglesias came out of nowhere with such an amazing single?  I have news for you. A successful Cuban songwriter named Descemer Bueno wrote "Bailando," and with a touch of a Cuban reggaeton duo called Gente De Zona, the song came to life. The duo and Descemer even recorded the song and the music video before they did the featuring with Enrique Iglesias. You don’t believe it? Check it out!

Original "Bailando" Music Video 

I can be wrong, but I think when Enrique heard the song, his music business skills told him that he had to be involved with such a hit. According to an article from ABC.es, Descemer Bueno showed the song on its early stage to Enrique but he said that something was missing. Gente De Zona’s contribution turned the song into the hit Enrique was looking for. Once Enrique knew the song was completed, it was time to make some radio promotion. That’s when everything went crazy. The song was everywhere, anytime. Every single Latin radio station from Miami to New York was playing the track where the Flamenco met Reggaeton. As of today, July 29, the Spanish version of “Bailando” with only 12 weeks is at the 17^th position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

You would be impressed of the look of the original music video, a very modest production made in Cuba. Enrique came with Universal Music Group (I suppose), and everything changed. Gente De Zona and Descemer Bueno joined Enrique Iglesias in a high budget production to film the official music video of “Bailando.” The song airplays went nuts, and at that moment, they uploaded the music video to YouTube. In just 3 months, “Bailando” has reached almost 230 million views. Knowing the impact of this song, Enrique Iglesias soon recorded the English version featuring Sean Paul. The reaction to this version has been insane too. The team “Bailando” also recorded a Portuguese version of the single.  

This is only the beginning for Enrique Iglesias, Gente De Zona, and Descemer Bueno. They make a perfect team and they deserve this success so far. Gente De Zona is now touring Europe and they will join Enrique Iglesias’ North American Tour later this year.

Here is a little side note. Who knew that a regular guy from La Habana who played timbales in a timba Cuban band called Charanga Habanera would join a reggaeton duo that ended up with the one of the hottest songs in 2014? I had the chance of meeting one of the Gente De Zona members few years ago in La Habana when he played with La Charanga Habanera. These Cuban groups rehearse under one of the harshest conditions. I guess life could change from one day to another. 

Randy Malcom and Alejandro Vicuna