worldmusic

Worldmusic is a broad category used in Western music markets and academia to refer to music rooted in non-Western or non-dominant cultures, including traditional, indigenous, and immigrant styles, as well as contemporary fusions that incorporate non-European sonic elements. The term is not a musical genre in itself but a marketing and scholarly label that encompasses diverse regional traditions, from Sub-Saharan Africa to South Asia, the Middle East, East Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, plus diaspora-inflected practices.

Historically, the category gained prominence during the late 20th century as global trade, migration, and media increased exposure to non-Western music. It accompanied the rise of world music festivals, specialized labels (for example Putumayo World Music, World Village, Nonesuch Explorer), and compilations that introduced international artists to Western audiences. It often serves as a conduit for cultural exchange and preservation but has also been criticized for homogenizing distinctive musical traditions and framing them through Western aesthetics.

In practice, world music crosses boundaries: traditional performers may adopt contemporary production, while fusion styles blend folk melodies with electronic, jazz, or hip-hop elements. The category is widely used in streaming platforms and music journalism, though not all non-Western music is labeled as "world music" and the label can be controversial within communities whose music is represented.

Criticism and debates: the term can imply otherness, essentialize cultures, and reinforce a marketing category more than a cultural phenomenon. Some scholars prefer more precise regional or ethnomusicological descriptors. The field overlaps with worldbeat, global fusion, ethnomusicology, and traditional or folk music.