“Babalú” is a classic Afro-Cuban song originally written by Cuban composer Margarita Lecuona in 1939, which became internationally famous through the 1948 recording by Cuban-American bandleader and actor Desi Arnaz. Arnaz’s version blends Cuban rumba rhythms with big-band orchestration and charismatic vocals, delivering a vibrant, dance-ready interpretation that helped popularize Afro-Cuban music in the United States and beyond. The song’s hypnotic percussion, call-and-response chants, and Arnold-style flair turned “Babalú” into a signature tune for Arnaz, and contributed to the mainstream diffusion of Latin and Afro-Caribbean musical styles. Over decades, “Babalú” has remained a cultural milestone — covered, sampled, and celebrated for its energetic fusion of Latin tradition and mid-century showmanship.