From the spirited green alien dancing to Cutty Ranks’ vocals in El Chombo’s “Dame Tu Cosita” to the Bollywood-inspired sequences of Major Lazer (Producer Diplo and DJs Walshy Fire and Ape Drums) & DJ Snake’s “Lean On,” and the poignant narrative of Clean Bandit’s “Rockabye,” ,with Sean Paulto the reggaeton and dancehall fusion in Daddy Yankee & Snow’s “Con Calma,” these videos have collectively garnered billions of views. Each composition tells a unique tale, blending cultural influences and sonic innovation, underlining the genre’s ability to transcend borders and captivate audiences worldwide.
Except for “Rockabye,” all the songs highlighted were also listed in a sweeping copyright infringement lawsuit filed by dancehall producer pioneers Steely and Clevie alleging they all ripped off the 1989 “Fish Market” Riddim.
WMV highlights the visual spectacles of these chart-topping anthems that feature dancehall artists on YouTube.
1| El Chombo – Dame Tu Cosita feat. Cutty Ranks [Ultra Records]
4.5 Billion
“Dame Tu Cosita” music video takes you into a vibrant, reddish rocky setting where a lively green alien dances with outstretched arms. Encased in a stylish square outline, the lower half of the square elegantly displays El Chombo’s name in cursive, followed by the title “Dame Tu Cosita.”
This single, originally released in 1997, featuring dancehall artist Cutty Ranks, is part of the album Cuentos de la Cripta II and a extended version was officially released on April 2, 2018.
The lyrics to this reggaeton track translates to “Give me your little thing” adding to the playful essence of the song. It’s worth noting that the song’s popularity led to a remix featuring Pitbull and Karol G, released on August 29, 2018.
After El Chombo’s added “Dame Tu Cosita” to his album Cuentos de la Cripta II, titled “Introduccion B (El Cosita Mix),” a remix known as “Cosita Mix (New Mix)” was released in 2001 on the album Cuentos de la Cripta Remixes, setting the pace for the 2018 version.
El Chombo signed a deal with Juston Records after the song became popular commissioning an extended version. Ultra Music then secured the global distribution rights for the revamped track and its accompanying video. The music video, uploaded to Ultra’s YouTube channel in April 2018, swiftly gained immense popularity. The single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 81, eventually peaking at No. 36.
The remix featuring Pitbull and Karol G, released on August 24, 2018, topped the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart and reached No. 31 on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100. The music video, a captivating animated creation by ArtNoux and directed by Sihem OUILLANI, earned the seventh spot among the most-viewed music videos on YouTube globally in 2018. With over 4 billion views as of August 2022, it stands as the 13th most-viewed video on the platform. The remix’s music video, also directed by Sihem OUILLANI, was filmed in Florida, adding another layer to the song’s international appeal.
2| Major Lazer & DJ Snake – Lean On (feat. MØ) (Official Music Video)
3.5 billion
The captivating music video for “Lean On,” directed by Tim Erem and produced by Mikhail Mehra, Akshay Multani, and Per Welen, unfolds in ND Studios, Karjat, Kaul Heritage City in Vasai, Maharashtra, India, and the Golden Hall at Stockholm City Hall. Shot against these diverse backdrops, the video showcases modernized Bollywood dance sequences featuring Major Lazer, MØ, and DJ Snake. Inspired by Major Lazer’s prior tour experiences in India, the visual narrative complements the infectious beats of the song.
Now, delving into the broader context of “Lean On,” this electronic dance music anthem is a collaborative effort by Jamaican-American group Major Lazer, French DJ and record producer DJ Snake, and Danish singer MØ. Released on March 3, 2015, it serves as the lead single from Major Lazer’s third studio album, “Peace Is the Mission.”
Producer Diplo recounts the creative process, “Lean On” emerged from sessions in Trinidad with MØ, featuring a strong hook but lacking a necessary attitude. A year later, a remix at a different tempo, with a signature post-chorus by DJ Snake, transformed the track into a unique lead-off single for the album. Diplo reflects on the fortuitous turn of events when Rihanna and Nicki Minaj turned down the initial reggae arrangement, leading to MØ’s standout performance.
The composition, written by MØ, Diplo, DJ Snake, Tchami, and Jr Blender, and produced by Major Lazer and DJ Snake, seamlessly blends elements of EDM, electronic, and moombahton, creating a genre-defying sonic experience. Its critical acclaim and commercial success are evident in its peak at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the UK Singles Chart. The track reached number one in various countries, including Argentina, Australia, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Mexico, and Switzerland, with a global sales figure of 13.1 million, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time.
In the realm of streaming, “Lean On” made history in 2015 as the most streamed song on Spotify, amassing over 1 billion streams by June 2017. Despite being later surpassed, its impact on the dance/electronic music scene remained undeniable.
3| Clean Bandit – Rockabye (feat. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie) [Official Video]
2.8 billion
The music video for “Rockabye” by British electronic group Clean Bandit, featuring the vocal talents of English singer Anne-Marie and Jamaican dancehall superstar Sean Paul is directed by Grace Chatto and Jack Patterson of Clean Bandit. The story is told of the single mom struggle with scenes in Spain and London, with cinematography by Anna Patarakina and Daria Geller.
As of January 2024, the music video has amassed over 2.8 billion views on YouTube, earning its place as the 33rd most-viewed video on the platform. Pole dancer Rita Conte, was discovered and casted in Italy by Grace Chatto.
Moving beyond the visuals, “Rockabye” is a musical collaboration by Released on October 21, 2016, it marked Clean Bandit’s first single after Neil Amin-Smith’s departure and served as the lead single from their second studio album, “What Is Love?” (2018).
Claiming the Christmas number one spot in 2016, “Rockabye” spent nine weeks at the summit of the UK Singles Chart and topped charts in over 28 other countries. Its impact reached the United States, where it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 100 and eventually peaked at number nine, becoming Clean Bandit’s highest-charting song.
In the United States, the song also secured Clean Bandit and Sean Paul their second number one on Billboard’s Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart.
4| Daddy Yankee & Snow – Con Calma (Official Video)
2.7 billion
“Con Calma” music video is directed by Marlon Peña, filmed in Los Angeles and Toronto. The video features a Memoji of Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee and Canadian dancehall deejay Snow.
Released on January 24, 2019, the track is a reimagination of Snow’s “Informer” but this reggaeton and dancehall fusion song is about the allure of a woman with exceptional dance skills.
The song topped the charts in 20 countries and secures a top 10 position in 10 others. Notably, it reigns supreme on the Hot Latin Songs chart in the United States for an impressive 14 weeks. Across Europe, the single peaked at number one in several countries, establishing its global impact. The song spent 10 weeks on the Argentina Hot 100.
