Despacito.
Screenshot/LuisFonsi/VEVO"Despacito" has been watched by more than three billion people on YouTube and now trumps PSY’s Gangnam Style's - a record that seemed like it would hang around for much longer.
Klava Koka is a popular (and beautiful) Russian singer who made a cover of the Latin tune song though changed the meaning a bit, singing about pure love and asking a man to come slowly (despacito) to her.
Do you think it's possible to play a hot Puerto Rican song with the balalaika, a Russian national instrument? It is! Check it out in the video below, but first sit down, we don't want you to fall while strutting your stuff.
MC Zali & Kamil noticed that "Despacito" sounds similar to spasibo, meaning “thank you” in Russia, so that’s what they called their cover version of the song.
Pavel Popov made a short video, trying to translate the song and... used his dog, who sings! We’re pretty sure Fonsi never imagined a canine would cover his big hit.
Ekaterina Serebryanskaya has probably seen the balalaika cover and thought why not give it a try with a ukulele! Here’s the result.
Nila Manila is angry with Fonsi, claiming he only views women as sexual objects. So she recorded a feminist retort. Listen to Manila's "Despacito" from 1:46 in the video below.
Khaustov chose to hit the high notes when singing "Despacito" - and sadly missed a few of them - so it's probably not the best Russian cover, but we admire his self-confidence!
Bonus track
To leave you in a party mood, we suggest taking a look at this dance flashmob performed during Moscow’s Festival of Reggaeton (yes, it exists). So watch and sing Des-pa-ci-to (or spasibo-spasibo)!
If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.
Subscribe
to our newsletter!
Get the week's best stories straight to your inbox
