What is World Music?

The idea and meaning of world music has changed in the last half-century. Development in the production and distribution technologies and practises of the music industry has transformed the market from one that was primarily national to an international market dominated by American ideologies, formats and values. However this leaves countries with a problem. They wish to maintain their own cultural musical identity, but often the musical infrastructure is insufficient to support or promote artists at the global level needed to fully recoup the cost of investment in them. Therefore countries place quotas for airplay or pass legislation that at least makes sure those musicians can prosper and foster support in their home countries without too much competition from outside. This also allows for the development of the national music industries as has been seen in the case of Canada and New Zealand. Unfortunately though this means that home countries often take on the role of talent scouts, identifying the best of the national talent and promoting them until a Major record label picks them up and distributes them internationally.