What's holding you back from listening to music from other parts of the world?

Submitted by TheeEssFo t3_yd8bpo in Music

Let's say scientists discovered that the recording process was causing cancer in babies or something, and that recording music was henceforth banned. Would there be enough music for you to survive on, if the spigot shut like that?

Honestly, the preponderance of classic rock and grunge on this sub says that many people already exist in a world with no modern music. But to the more voracious listeners out there, what would you do? Would you explore backwards into Anglo/American pop music (let's include Australia in the west, plus J- and K-Pop), finally scratch that jazz itch, orchestra, marching band, etc, or do you think you would finally venture into the dreaded WORLD music category?

My ancestors were western Europeans, which somehow makes it strange -- to my friends -- that I frequently enjoy Latino pop music. Not just J Balvin and J Lo, but Banda Adictiva de San Jose and Alacranes Musical. I'm not devoted to it or an expert, but when flipping stations in the car, I will stop on the hispanohablante stations. Latinos are 20% of Americans, yet Latino music seems strangely off-limits and foreign. We don't border up Canadian music, and those people buy milk that comes in bags! Bags! (Thanks, 30 Rock)

Why are so many WEWIL collages missing Spanish-singing artists? Can you enjoy "Louie, Louie" and still blame the language barrier? Are you afraid that what you'll take to will be the equivalent of Barry Manilow? Is it purely xenophobia?

I saw the KEXP list of 640 great albums from the past 50 years, and was disheartened because Bob Marley is up there 2x, but one's a greatest hits and there's practically no other reggae. The highest ranking Toots & The Maytals album is 585th! Bob Marley is not the end-all, be-all of reggae. Paul Simon's Graceland and Talking Heads and The Smiths (thinking Johnny Marr's guitar) rank highly, but no actual West or South African artists. And African pop is great continent-wide.

Look, I'm not saying I can name the capital of the Jammu region nor does it puzzle me that the wider American audience has not bitten wholeheartedly into bossa nova. I cannot name a single Fela Kuti album. But among presumably culturally conversant folks like yourselves who possibly think your tastes are eclectic, why don't you listen more worldly?

Asking for a friend.

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zanillamilla t1_itqom7s wrote

It is worth mentioning that KEXP has featured some world music groups. Earlier this year I discovered this fantastic song in a KEXP live performance and must have listened to it nonstop for days.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srmJA1H4BIo

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TheeEssFo OP t1_itr0tt2 wrote

That is a great song. I didn't mean to knock KEXP; the albums list was generated by listener voting. My impression overall of the music press is that they genuinely try to get listeners into a wide variety. The Grammys has taken a huge step forward, perhaps realizing Bad Bunny and J Balvin could help their sagging ratings.

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HazardIsFunny t1_itqxeb2 wrote

When reading i enjoy world music in a language i dont understand, it lets me "zone out" and enjoy my reading instead of paying attention to what is being sung.

Ill say this, the middle east is really stepping up their metal/extreme music scene.

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TheeEssFo OP t1_itr01o4 wrote

Funny you should write that: one of the pulls of Latin pop vs US Top 40 is that they could be singing about the dumbest shit in the world but my limited grasp of the Spanish (I can read it, but they sing too damned quickly) keeps me in bliss.

I remember during the Iraq War that Vice did a documentary on an Iraqi metal band that eventually acquired funding to tour.

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sorengray t1_itu9aan wrote

Nothing. I listen to it all. Manu Chao, Ali Toure, 70s Turkish funk, Nusrat Ali Khan, MC Solar, Cibo Matto, Jaoa Gilberto, Seu Jorge, to name but a few.

But this sub is probably mostly based in the US which is more often than not going to focus on English speaking stuff. Namely American and British music. And Classic rock will always be classic, so it'll keep coming up in posts here.

World Music as a genre has been popular in the US since the 90s. But usually to a more explorative travel oriented part of the population. And remember, only 45% of US citizens even own a passport. So exploring the world is not really their focus, much less it's music.

Good stuff from all over will get through though to those who are looking.

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TheeEssFo OP t1_itzi9bv wrote

Manu Chao is one of those who should appeal to ska/punk fans. I saw him at Lollapalooza years ago; but if I remember his time slot was up against one of the bigger mainstream headliners and didn't get much of a crowd.

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Meowsommar t1_itqly2e wrote

People lack curiousity

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