| Term | World music |
| Origin | Emerged in the 1950s |
| Purpose | To promote and celebrate the music of non-Western nations that was often marginalized or exoticized by the mainstream music industry |
| Evolution | Has evolved and blended with other styles over time |
| Definition | A term used to describe the diverse traditional and indigenous musical styles from around the globe, outside the dominant Western cultural sphere |
| Development | Grew into a thriving commercial genre with dedicated record labels, radio stations, and festivals that exposed listeners to the depth and creativity of musical traditions from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas |
| Significance | Remains an important vehicle for preserving cultural diversity and providing an alternative to the homogenization of popular music |
"World music" is a term used to describe the diverse array of traditional and indigenous musical styles originating from regions outside the Western colonial powers, particularly in Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. Emerging as a concept in the 1950s, the world music genre developed into a thriving commercial and cultural force in the subsequent decades, providing an alternative to the increasing homogenization of popular music worldwide.
The idea of "world music" first took shape in the 1950s as a way for record labels, radio stations, and music critics to collectively promote and celebrate the rich musical traditions of non-Western cultures. This was a reaction against the dominance of Anglo-American rock and roll, pop music, and jazz that was rapidly spreading across the globe through recordings, radio, and film.
Early proponents of world music sought to shed light on the remarkable diversity of musical styles, instruments, and performance practices found in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Polynesia, and Latin America. These included everything from West African highlife and Balinese gamelan to Andean folk music and Aboriginal Australian didgeridoo. The term "world music" provided an umbrella label to unite this vast array of traditions.
In the 1960s, world music began to evolve from a niche academic and ethnomusicological interest into a thriving commercial genre. This was driven by a number of factors:
Key artists who helped popularize world music during this period include Ali Farka Touré, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Youssou N'Dour, and Gilberto Gil. Their albums found success not just in their home regions but also with increasingly curious Western listeners.
The world music boom of the 1960s-70s was not just a musical phenomenon, but also a cultural and political one. Many saw the genre as an important counterweight to the increasing commercialization and homogenization of popular music worldwide, which was often dominated by Western-centric tastes and corporate interests.
World music celebrated musical diversity, traditional cultural practices, and the voices of marginalized or colonized peoples. It provided an alternative to the perceived blandness and formulaic nature of mainstream pop/rock, as well as the perceived cultural imperialism of Western media exports. World music was embraced by activists, intellectuals, and listeners seeking a more authentic, community-oriented musical experience.
Over time, the world music genre has continued to evolve and blend with other musical styles. Many artists have incorporated world music influences into their own rock, pop, jazz, and electronic compositions. Likewise, traditional world music styles have absorbed elements of contemporary Western genres.
This cross-pollination has kept world music dynamic and relevant, even as its broader cultural significance has shifted. While the "purist" vision of preserving untouched traditional styles remains important, world music has also embraced hybridity and innovation. The music of artists like Tinariwen, Femi Kuti, and [[Susheela Raman] demonstrates the genre's ongoing ability to evolve while still celebrating cultural diversity.
In the modern era, world music remains a vital genre, with a thriving network of independent labels, radio stations, festivals, and online platforms dedicated to its promotion. It provides a platform for underrepresented musical voices and traditions to reach global audiences. And it continues to serve as an antidote to the cultural homogenization wrought by the dominance of Western-centric popular music. As such, world music remains an essential part of the musical landscape, upholding the importance of preserving and celebrating the world's rich cultural diversity.
