“World music” isn’t really a genre of music, so much as a somewhat imperialistic label for any song that isn’t American, British, or internationally known.
There are no “typical” elements of world music; we should seriously stop using it for everything and anything and instead call genres for what they truly are.
There are plenty of music from my country that can be easily identified as rap, rock, pop, folk, etc., but that streaming platforms categorize as “world music.”
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The last time I heard “world music” as a genre was when Pure Moods came out and everyone thought that first track (Return to Innocence) was some First Nation song….but it’s actually Taiwanese. Also the band, Enigma, is German.
“World Music” isn’t a genre; it’s a useful descriptor/umbrella term that help people who are interested in music outside the English language tradition to find it in places where English is the dominant language. It’s no more a genre than “international film” is, but in places like libraries, it’s useful. Not every descriptor is a genre. My library has an “animation” and a “graphic novel” section, but those aren’t genres, either.
Is this some Spotify thing?
Usually when I hear something as being described as “world music” it’s used as a blanket term to describe music that belongs to specific cultures. I wouldn’t consider world music to be a genre per se; but when I’m in the mood to listen to traditional music in other languages or use specific instruments I start by looking at world music then narrow it down from there.
I think world music more so refers to cultural tradition music – specifically not western. But i agree, we should try to at least somewhat identify where the music is coming/inspired from and give it credit.
Is it meant to be a genre anymore than ‘70’s music’?
I think its a catch all for anything that isn’t sung in English and doesn’t already have its own label e.g., K-pop or recognized genre e.g., reggae. I don’t think you should be offended by it.
Surely, based on your own classification, songs not sung in English is the “typical element” of world music?
Didn’t want to upvote since I thought most people agreed, but apparently this idiocy continues in 2025.
World music to me means roots and traditional musical elements of where the artist is from. Doesn’t even have to be from outside the anglosphere. Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Xavier Rudd and John Butler Trio are all lumped in with that
It’s music for people that don’t listen to music. And their kids make “____-type Beats” on social media. The tasteless will always be with us…