Globalization of Music

Globalization is the process of taking something worldwide and it has been a buzz word in recent years with people arguing the pros and cons. The globalization of music in something that makes me very excited. It breaths new life into some of my favorite songs, blends music genres, and creates new infectious songs.

There can be no better example of the globalization of music than M.I.A. She was born in London, but when she was 6 her family moved back to Sri Lanka, where they were originally from. Her father was a Tamil Tiger, and because of the danger, she barely saw him. She and her family returned to London in the 80s as refugees from the Sri Lankan Civil War. It is these mixtures of cultures, literally a globe apart, which led to her fusion of eastern music and London hip hop. It is an original sound that has been recognized and praised around the world. Following in M.I.A.'s footsteps in Nneka, a Nigerian and German artist, and the newest act to the re-risen Lilth Fair this summer. It seems like her goal is to remind the world of the problems in Africa. I suggest that you go to her myspace page and put on “Suffri” and feel the global influence. (Also I will forgive Rolling Stone for dubbing her an “African born Lauryn Hill”). Finally I am a bit obsessed with Panjabi MC. Another British artist, he is of Indian decent and his goal is to mix bhagnra and hip hop, and he does it well. Probably his most well known is the Jay-Z infused “Mudain to Bach Ke”, and yes, that’s the Knight Rider theme song you’re hearing. I cannot get sick of this track.

Globalization of music is hardly a new idea. Paul Simon’s “Graceland” is heavily influenced by African music. I think what is making it so widespread today is once again the internet and technology. It’s easier than ever to distribute music to a global community. “Graceland” was influenced by Simon’s trip to Africa. There on tracks on Vampire Weekend’s “Contra” that remind me of Graceland, but I doubt they had the same experience.

Also, it is impossible to ignore that all three of the first artists I’ve mentioned are European based. I did read that M.I.A. is in a studio in Brooklyn working on her third album, but she definitely rose from the London music scene. For the United States, that claims to be a melting pot, Europe is producing the fondue of music.