World Music

World music is a genre of music that has been embraced by millions of people across the globe. This category is unique in that it encompasses music from different cultures and regions of the world. It is difficult to clearly define world music, but it is commonly described as any form of contemporary music that is not of Western origin or is heavily influenced by non-Western cultures. In this article, we will explore the history of world music and how it has evolved over time. The history of world music dates back to the 1960s when the term was first used in the music industry. This genre was popularized by music companies and radio stations looking to capitalize on the musical movements of the time. World music gained popularity in the 1980s, thanks to the efforts of record labels and musicians who endeavored to promote the genre. World music was initially seen as a catch-all category that included any non-Western or non-mainstream music. The definition of world music was therefore fluid and constantly changing. The genre has since been refined and today, it is more specific; it encompasses music from diverse cultures, including African, Latin, Asian, and Middle Eastern music. African music has significantly influenced world music. In the early 1980s, African rhythms, beats, and melodies began to infiltrate Western music in a big way. African music became popular globally, and many African musicians, with their unique style, gained a following. In turn, this enabled the production and release of traditional African music albums that found a wider audience. In South America, the rise of world music was fueled by the Nueva Canción (New Song) movement. This movement emerged in the 1960s and aimed to use music to support the left-wing political ideologies of the time. Supporters of the genre used music to communicate messages of social injustice and political oppression. Many of the Nueva Canción songs were traditional music with a political twist. In the middle east, world music gained popularity in the 1990s. The Middle East is a significant culture-rich region with many distinct music styles. World music artists from this region began blending traditional Middle Eastern music with more contemporary Western sounds, creating a unique hybrid genre that appealed to many people across the globe. Overall, world music embodies diversity, promotes cultural understanding and embraces differences. The genre encourages people to appreciate music from different cultures, and this creates an opportunity for people to learn from one another. Over time, the genre has become commercially successful, crossing over into other popular categories. Today, world music can be heard on pop charts and in mainstream music. The success of world music has also pushed other mainstream genres to incorporate elements of world music in their songs. This fusion divides opinion with some critics arguing that it takes away from the authenticity of the genre while others believe that this cross-pollination of cultures is a good thing.

Bob Marley: The king of reggae music, Bob Marley, was a Jamaican singer, songwriter and musician who brought reggae to international fame. He became an international icon and a symbol of peace and love around the world with hit songs like "No Woman, No Cry" and "Buffalo Soldier". Ali Farka Toure: Ali Farka Toure was a Malian singer and guitarist known for his virtuosic playing style and his fusion of traditional African music with modern blues. His music often addressed social and political issues, and he was awarded two Grammy Awards for his album "In the Heart of the Moon". Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a Pakistani musician and qawwali singer who popularized qawwali music in the West. He was known for his powerful voice and his ability to fuse traditional Pakistani music with Western instrumentation and electronic beats. Cesaria Evora: Cesaria Evora was a Cape Verdean singer known as the "Barefoot Diva". Her warm and soulful voice brought the traditional music of Cape Verde to international attention. She was known for performing barefoot and wearing traditional Cape Verdean costumes on stage. Ravi Shankar: Ravi Shankar was an Indian musician and composer who popularized classical Indian music in the West. He was a sitar virtuoso and collaborated with many Western musicians, including George Harrison of The Beatles. Manu Chao: Manu Chao is a French-Spanish musician known for his mixing of musical styles, including punk, reggae, and Latin American music. He often sings in Spanish and French and is known for his socially conscious and politically charged lyrics. Youssou N'Dour: Youssou N'Dour is a Senegalese singer, songwriter and political activist. He is known for blending traditional Senegalese music with pop and jazz, and for his collaborations with Western musicians such as Peter Gabriel and Sting. Salif Keita: Salif Keita is a Malian singer known for his powerful voice and his fusion of traditional African music with jazz, rock and funk. He is an outspoken advocate for people with albinism, having been rejected by his own community as a child due to his condition. Angélique Kidjo: Angélique Kidjo is a Beninese singer known for her powerful voice and her fusion of West African music with Western pop and rock. She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and an advocate for humanitarian issues and girls' education. Miriam Makeba: Miriam Makeba was a South African singer known as "Mama Africa". She was one of the first African musicians to gain international stardom, and used her platform to speak out against apartheid in South Africa. She was known for her warm and soulful voice, and her fusion of traditional African music with jazz and pop.

1. Buena Vista Social Club – Buena Vista Social Club 2. Graceland – Paul Simon 3. The Rough Guide to the Music of the Sahara 4. Tabu Ley Rochereau – The Voice of Lightness 5. Putumayo Presents: World Reggae 6. Music of Morocco: Recorded by Paul Bowles 7. Kronos Quartet with Asha Bhosle – You’ve Stolen My Heart 8. Putumayo Presents: Acoustic Africa 9. The Gipsy Kings – The Best Of 10. Rough Guide to the Music of China 11. Rough Guide to the Music of Ethiopia 12. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Party – Shahen-Shah 13. Rough Guide to the Music of Spain 14. The Very Best of Ethiopiques: Hypnotic Grooves from the Legendary Series 15. Rough Guide to the Music of India 16. In the Heart of the Moon – Ali Farka Touré and Toumani Diabaté 17. Rough Guide to the Music of Iran 18. Rough Guide to the Music of South Africa 19. The Sound of Siam: Leftfield Luk Thung, Jazz and Molam from Thailand 1964-75 20. Rough Guide to the Music of the Balkans 21. Café de Cuba – The Very Best of Cuban Music 22. Rough Guide to the Music of Brazil 23. The Heptones – In Love With You 24. Rough Guide to the Music of Central Asia 25. Leila Mourad – The Modern Egyptain Songstress

In the book, the authors state that "world music is music that encompasses all the music in the world." They argue that the term is not a genre in itself but rather a collection of various genres and styles from around the world. They suggest that the term was initially coined to describe non-Western music, but it has since expanded to incorporate Western music that is influenced by non-Western styles. Another book that talks about world music is "Global Pop, Local Language," written by Harris Berger. In this book, Berger examines the impact of Western pop music on non-Western cultures. He argues that Western pop music has become a global phenomenon and has shaped the cultural identities of people all over the world. In an interview with The Guardian, musician and world music advocate, David Byrne said, "Music is everywhere, and everywhere is music. World music is not so much a genre as it is a way of contextualizing music." Byrne's comment reflects the idea that world music should not be viewed as a separate genre but rather as a way of understanding the music of different cultures. Paul Simon, a well-known musician, and world music enthusiast once said, "Music is forever; music should grow and mature with you, following you right on up until you die." Simon's comment highlights the idea that music is a timeless art form that can transcend generations and cultures. In her book "Women's Voices Across Musical Worlds," author and ethnomusicologist, Ruth Stone argues that women's voices in world music are often overlooked. She suggests that world music has traditionally been dominated by male musicians and that women's contributions to the genre are often undervalued. In a TED talk, musician and ethnomusicologist, Rhiannon Giddens said, "You can't have a definitive way of playing traditional music. It's supposed to be alive." Giddens' comment emphasizes the idea that traditional music is ever-evolving and that it should be continuously reinterpreted and reimagined.

One of the primary social and cultural factors that contributed to the rise of World Music was the growing interest in multiculturalism and globalism that swept across Western society in the 1980s and 1990s. As the world became more interconnected through trade, travel, and communication, people developed a greater curiosity about the music and cultures of other nations. The emergence of World Music was a response to this interest, offering Western audiences a window into the diverse musical traditions of other regions and communities. At the same time, technological advances in the recording industry allowed World Music to be produced and disseminated on a larger scale than ever before. With the proliferation of new recording technologies like digital audio and the internet, it became easier for artists to record and distribute their music to a global audience. This facilitated the growth of a new market for World Music, as more and more people became exposed to the sounds of different cultures. There were also a number of notable figures in the world of music journalism and record labels who played a significant role in promoting World Music to a wider audience. One of the most influential was the British-based label, Real World Records, which was founded in 1989 by musician and producer Peter Gabriel. Real World Records focused on promoting music from cultures outside of the Western mainstream, and it quickly gained a reputation for releasing high-quality recordings of traditional and contemporary music from around the world. Another important figure in the promotion of World Music was journalist and world music expert Simon Broughton. Broughton founded the music magazine Songlines in 1999, which became a leading publication in the field of World Music. The magazine helped to introduce new artists and styles to readers, and it also provided a platform for musicians from around the world to promote their work. As the popularity of World Music continued to grow, it began to have an impact on the music industry as a whole. Major record labels began to take notice of the genre and started to invest in its promotion. This resulted in a greater diversity of musical styles and artists being brought to a wider audience, with many World Music artists achieving mainstream success.