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Description of World/Reggae

 
World music refers to music from all over the planet, spanning reggae's upbeat Caribbean rhythms to Scandinavian Joik, from Tuvan Throat Singing to African Juju and everywhere in between. True to its name, world defines itself as an incredibly broad and diverse "style," serving as an overarching category for anything that falls outside the genres of popular western music. While reggae broke internationally in the late 1960s/early 1970s, world music caught the attention of western audiences and recording artists in the '80s, as ex-Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel and former Talking Head David Byrne created their own record labels dedicated to promoting musicians from Brazil, Pakistan, Cuba and Egypt, among other countries. However, elements of music from non-western cultures have long influenced their western counterparts (and vice- versa) in an ongoing, centuries-long cultural exchange. But beyond the effect that global musical styles have had on western music, artists from all cultures are currently producing work -- both tradition-based and innovative -- that explores the infinite possibilities of melody, rhythm and harmony within and across regional frameworks.
 

World/Reggae Key Artists

 
Ali Farka Toure

Toure's spare singing and
"Mali blues" guitar has
captivated western
audiences since the late
'80s. Toure collaborated...

Antibalas

In the spirit of Nigerian icon
Fela Kuti, this NYC ensemble
kicks the raw flava of
African and Funk, aka
Afrobeat. Ultra-political A...

Baaba Maal

One of Mali's top stars for
nearly two decades, the
innovative Maal embraces
folkloric music and
electronica. Always expe...

Beenie Man

One of Jamaica's premier
toasters, Beenie Man's been
in the biz since age eight.
He's now finding success in
America as well. Beenie M...

Bob Marley

Jamaica's best known artist,
Marley is Roots Reggae and
Rastafari's musical
ambassador around the
world. Released in 1984,...

Buena Vista Social Club

This group of aging Cuban
Son musicians recorded a
hit album of classics with
the expert shepherding of
Ry Cooder. German filmm...

Burning Spear

A powerfully political and
socially conscious reggae
artist, Burning Spear has
been recording since 1969.
Burning Spear appropriat...

Cesaria Evora

The world's premier morna
singer, Cape Verde's
Cesaria Evora's seasoned,
mournful voice embodies
"sodade," or longing. Evor...

Fela Kuti

The Nigerian king of
Afro-beat, Kuti drew
political heat for his lyrics
and won the adoration of a
continent and the world....

Jimmy Cliff

Soul-influenced reggae
crooner Jimmy Cliff had hits
with songs including "Many
Rivers To Cross" and "The
Harder They Come." Cliff'...

Manu Chao

A Latin Rock star turned
genre-bender, Chao's
delightfully eclectic solo
work is hugely popular with
world music audiences. M...

Miriam Makeba

South Africa's first lady of
song endured three
decades of exile, but she
brought her music to a
grateful world audience....

Oum Kalthoum

Egypt's first lady of song,
Oum Kaltoum sang her way
through the country's
upheavals and into the
hearts of its people.

Ravi Shankar

As India's best-known
musician, Ravi Shankar
performed film and classical
music and brought Indian
influences to western po...

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Among other
accomplishments, Sakamoto
helped establish
electronica in the late '70s
with his band Yellow Magi...

The Chieftains

The Chieftains' fresh, vital
interpretations of traditional
Irish folk have wowed
international audiences for
decades. Your parents' P...

Youssou N'Dour

One of Africa's best-known
musicians, N'Dour was a
major star in his native
Senegal before finding
wider fame. N'Dour found...

Zakir Hussain

The son of master tabla
player Alla Rakha, world
famous collaborator Zakir
Hussain takes the
instrument to new levels....

Zap Mama

This phenomenal female A
Cappella outfit draws
inspiration from modern
influences and world
traditions including Pygm...

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