The playlist this week is part of the genre series we have been exploring this year. This time we are exploring the catch all genre of World Music. It is a bit of a problematic term as the definition shows.

: popular music originating from or influenced by non-Western musical traditions and often having a danceable rhythm —usually hyphenated when used attributively (Source: Merriam Webster)

It tends to promote us versus them in music, but I am not sure what term to use. I generally have a difficult time lumping music together and labelling them in a genre, but that is the series I chose to work on. My purpose of the genre series was to highlight and champion some Canadian music that does not always make it on to the predominately pop and rock playlists.

World music is a direct and powerful indicator of the multicultural nature of Canadian society. Broadly interpreted, “world music” can mean the traditional musics of cultures outside North America and Western Europe, or contemporary versions of traditional musics. Often, the term simply means cross-over music that applies non-Western sounds to mainstream pop or rock. World music is as diverse in its origins and applications as it is in its sounds and techniques. Synonyms include ethnic music and international music. (Source: The Canadian Encyclopedia)

Whatever you want to call it, the playlist is full of great music by Canadian artists that you should take a listen to. Enjoy some Canadian World Music!