Music distribution has changed over the years and so has the way it’s consumed, but one thing’s certain: Whether it’s popping a disc into your CD player or downloading an entire track list to your phone, music junkies love albums.
As a Latino millennial who grew up listening to everything from Juan Gabriel’s tearjerker songs to Selena’s empowering anthems, and who’s currently jamming to an intense reggaeton playlist, collecting CDs and/or buying a digital album has been my longtime favorite hobby (shout-out to those who relate).
With Hispanic Heritage Month in full swing, Billboard has put together the 20 longest-leading No. 1s in the history of the Top Latin Albums chart. The list includes everything from albums that we were obsessed with in the ‘90s to Bad Bunny’s YHLQMDLG and El Último Tour Del Mundo just last year.
The Top 20 Latin Albums list is ranked based on peak position on the Top Latin Albums chart from the ranking’s first chart week on July 10, 1993, to the Sept. 18, 2021-dated chart. For albums with the same number of weeks at No. 1, ties were broken by the most total weeks on the chart.
Check out the complete list below:
1. Gloria Estefan – Mi Tierra
The Cuban singer’s album peaked at No. 1 on the July 10, 1993-dated chart, where she spent 58 weeks at the top.
2. Bad Bunny – X 100PRE
Bad Bunny’s debut studio album arrived at No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums chart (dated Jan. 5, 2019). It went on to rule a total of 46 weeks, the second-most in the history of the 28-year-old tally.
3. Ozuna – Odisea
Ozuna made history with his debut studio album, becoming the longest-leading No. 1 by a male artist on the Top Latin Albums chart. Odisea nabbed the No. 1 spot on the chart dated Sept. 16, 2017, and ruled for 46 weeks.
4. Bad Bunny – YHLQMDLG
Bad Bunny’s third studio album landed a historic debut on the Billboard 200 albums chart (dated March 14, 2020) as he scored the highest-charting all-Spanish-language album ever, the biggest streaming week ever for a Latin album, and the largest week for a Latin title since Billboard began tracking albums by equivalent album units in December 2014. The set continues to rule the Top Latin Albums chart in its 44th week (and counting).
5. Selena – Dreaming of You
Released posthumously, Selena’s bilingual album peaked at No. 1 on the Aug. 5, 1995-dated chart, spending 44 weeks at the top.
6. Luis Miguel – Segundo Romance
The Mexico-based crooner’s set peaked at No. 1 on the Sept. 17, 1994, tally, staying strong for 29 weeks.
7. Bad Bunny – El Último Tour Del Mundo
The surprise release earned el conejo malo his fifth straight No. 1 on Top Latin Albums, ruling for 27 weeks starting on the Dec. 12, 2020-dated list.
8. Ricky Martin – Vuelve
Ricky Martin’s heartfelt album peaked at No. 1 on the Feb. 28, 1998-dated chart and reigned for 26 weeks.
9. Daddy Yankee – Barrio Fino
Daddy Yankee brought reggaetón to the forefront with his No. 1 album (peak date July 31, 2004), remaining at the top for 24 weeks.
10. Aventura – The Last
Aventura revolutionized bachata with The Last album, which peaked at No. 1 on the June 27, 2009-dated list, where it spent 23 weeks.
11. Juan Gabriel – Los Duo 2
His duets with Marc Anthony, J Balvin and other artists nabbed Juanga the leading spot on the Jan. 2, 2016-dated chart, where it spent 20 weeks.
12. Selena – Amor Prohibido
With timeless songs such as “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” and “No Me Queda Mas,” Selena’s album peaked at No. 1 on the chart dated June 11, 1994, reigning for 20 weeks.
13. Christina Aguilera – Mi Reflejo
Xtina made her way to No. 1 with Mi Reflejo on the Sept. 30, 2000, list, sitting tight for 19 weeks — not too shabby for her first all-Spanish album.
14. Ozuna – Aura
Aura became Ozuna’s second-longest-charting title at No. 1 with a total of 17 weeks at the summit starting on the Sept. 8, 2018-dated tally.
15. Romeo Santos – Formula: Vol. 1
Keeping bachata alive, Romeo Santos’ album peaked at No. 1 on the Nov. 26, 2011, tally and proved that “the king stays king” for 17 weeks.
16. Shakira – Fijación Oral: Vol. 1
The Colombian superstar ruled Top Latin Albums with her set for a total of 17 weeks starting on the June 25, 2005-dated chart.
17. Enrique Iglesias – Sex & Love
With the release of his 10th studio album, the Spanish pop singer ranked No. 1 on the April 5, 2014, tally, remaining on the top for 16 weeks.
18. Enrique Iglesias – Vivir
Prior to Sex & Love, Iglesias nabbed the No. 1 spot on the Feb. 15, 1997-dated chart with his album Vivir, keeping strong at the summit for 15 weeks.
19. Daddy Yankee – Barrio Fino: En Directo
Because who doesn’t like a good ol’ concert? Daddy Yankee’s live album peaked at No. 1 on the Dec. 31, 2005-dated chart for 14 weeks.
20. Marc Anthony – Libre
Salsa does not stay behind thanks to Marc Anthony, whose album peaked at No. 1 on the Dec. 8, 2001, tally and reigned for 14 weeks.
