World music

World music is a broad category that encompasses traditional, folk, and contemporary musical styles from cultures across the globe. The term became widely used in the 1980s and refers not to a single genre but to a wide range of regional musical traditions, often rooted in local heritage, communal identity, and long-standing cultural practices. World music frequently features indigenous instruments, unique vocal techniques, non-Western scales and rhythms, and musical structures passed down through generations.

The origins of the concept lie in the effort to categorize music outside the Western pop and classical traditions, including African drumming, Asian classical systems, Middle Eastern modal music, Pacific Island traditions, and countless regional folk styles. African music, for example, includes complex polyrhythms, call-and-response singing, and instruments such as the djembe, kora, and mbira. Indian classical music is built on ragas and talas, with long improvisations performed on instruments like the sitar, tabla, and sarod. East Asian traditions feature pentatonic scales and instruments such as the erhu, guzheng, shamisen, and koto.

In the Middle East and North Africa, maqam-based systems form the basis of both vocal and instrumental traditions, while Eastern European music often incorporates intricate harmonies, dance rhythms, and regional instruments like the balalaika, bouzouki, and cimbalom. Latin American music includes diverse elements from Indigenous, African, and European influences, shaping genres such as samba, tango, son cubano, mariachi, and Andean folk. Pacific and Oceanic traditions include chant-based music, log drums, and unique forms tied deeply to cultural rituals.

The rise of world music as a recognized commercial and cultural concept was strongly influenced by the global spread of artists who introduced traditional sounds to international audiences. Figures such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Ali Farka Touré, Youssou N’Dour, Angelique Kidjo, and Ravi Shankar helped bring regional traditions to the world stage. Record labels and festivals dedicated to world music helped promote cross-cultural exchange and fostered collaborations between Western artists and musicians from Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.

World music also includes numerous fusion styles, where contemporary genres blend with traditional roots. Examples include Afrobeat, pioneered by Fela Kuti; world fusion; Balkan brass; Celtic revival; and modern hybrids that incorporate electronic production, jazz, reggae, or pop elements. These styles demonstrate how cultural traditions can evolve while preserving their distinctive identity.

Today, world music represents a vast global landscape of sound, celebrating cultural diversity and musical heritage. It continues to influence film scores, electronic music, pop production, and fusion genres, serving as a dynamic bridge between traditional practices and modern creativity. Its global appeal lies in its ability to convey history, spirituality, community, and emotion through a wide spectrum of musical languages.