Breaking Down the Viral Reparto Hit ‘Dichavate’: ‘The Song Has Magic’
Last Christmas Eve, Cuban newcomers Ya Ice Dilan, Rey Tony, and Helabusador released “Dichavate” — a reparto song that has officially made Billboard history, securing top-five positions on two major charts. Despite the typical industry advice against releasing music during the holiday season, the track’s infectious energy allowed it to bypass traditional promotional hurdles.
An Organic Rise to the Top
“Everything happened very quickly. We didn’t have the opportunity to run advertising campaigns on Spotify or YouTube due to the explicit lyrics… we tried, but we couldn’t,” Helabusador tells Billboard. “We didn’t even have the chance to invest in the song. It was simply uploading the music video on YouTube and releasing it two weeks later on Spotify.”
Without a formal marketing strategy, “Dichavate” climbed the Billboard Hits of the World charts, peaking at No. 1 on the Peru Songs chart dated March 21 and reaching No. 5 on the Spain Songs chart dated April 18. The track stands as the first reparto song to hit the top five on both charts, which track streaming and sales activity via Luminate.
The Anatomy of a Viral Hit
Produced by DJ Honda and released via JipMusic Global, the song’s title is Cuban slang for “take a risk” or “be daring.” Its provocative lyrics, which candidly discuss intimacy, resonated immediately with listeners. The production features a signature blend of bass, piano, and the essential claves—the rhythmic backbone of the reparto genre that fuses urban music with traditional Cuban sounds like son, timba, and rumba.
The song’s virality was fueled by Cuban influencers such as Samantha Hernandez, who choreographed a dance in early January, and Anthony Vila, whose catchphrase “Bota Compota” helped propel the track across borders. The trend has since transcended the Cuban community, with high-profile artists like Bad Gyal, Beéle, and former CNCO members Erick Brian and Christopher Velez joining in.
“For me, it was the energy we had in the studio,” Rey Tony says. “I’m not sure if it was the beat, but back in Cuba, it just really took off. That first week was absolute madness—it felt completely natural. The whole backstory behind the song was completely organic.”
A New Sound for the Global Stage
For the artists, the success of “Dichavate” is a testament to the genre’s evolution. “Within our own genre, this represents a completely different style. It is very international—we draw upon that foundation in order to operate. We studied the sound, we incorporated our own slang, and I wanted to add a distinct vocal quality,” Helabusador adds.
Reflecting on the song’s emotional resonance, he concludes: “It’s a song that—if you’re sad, it serves you in your sadness; if you’re happy, it serves you in your happiness. It is a very emotional song. It has something that connects. The song has magic.”
