World music could be seen as the music of a tiny sub-culture of the globe. It used to just be concerned with music outside of the Anglo-American genres, including Africa, Canada and Australia. Now, however, the term ‘world music’ is used to describe music within minority groups in America, Asia and Europe as well. It can be seen as a mix of modern and traditional musics and is often not sung in English. World music has been turned into a genre and has become institutionalized by the music and media industries.
This kind of music has been criticised because it has caused musicians to turn their backs on cultural traditions in favour of commercial profit. It has been seen as a force for cultural imperialism and has also been seen to homogenise musical cultures all over the world.
I believe world music exists to help people create a cultural identity for themselves.
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2 comments:
I am not entirely sure that your suggestion of World music as a force for cultural imperialism is quite what you meant. Perhaps global or globalised music is what you where actually alluding to?
In addition do you think that part of the reason for the creation of a broad genre like World music is in its commercial exploitation.
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