World music

World music is a term that covers all music that is not part of mainstream popular music or classical music and has some kind of "ethnic" component. The connotation of the term is popular with folk music from the third world, European popular and folk music that uses influences from the third world, and traditional music especially (but not only) from the third world. The term is used primarily as a marketing/classificatory device, sometimes referring to any kind of foreign music, especially in a foreign language.

Related Topics:
Popular music - Classical music - Ethnic - Folk music - Third world - Traditional music

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The broad catergory of "world music" includes isolated forms of ethnic music from diverse geographical regions. These dissimilar strains of ethnic music are commonly categorized together by virtue of their indegenous roots. In recent years, common access to global communication among artists and the general public has given rise to a phenomenon named "cross-over" music. Musicians from diverse cultures and locations can readily access music from around the world, creating a melting pot of stylistic influences. While communication technology allows greater access to obscure forms of music, it also presents the risk of musical homogeny blurring regional identity.

Related Topics:
Ethnic music - Cross-over

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