What is world music?

As Jan Fairley stated, "the relationship of the 'local' and the 'global' in popular music is one of the most complex, controversial and significant issues of the new millenium". It is difficult to define and see the moment where local music becomes global. Global music could be seen as music which has achieved world success, or even music from another part of the world.

It is important to try and distinguish between 'world' music and 'global' music, is it the same thing? And if 'global' music is equal to world success, does this mean that world music is generally sung in English? Shuler looked at the idea that Anglo-American music has been the adoptive sound of world youth since the 50's, which does lead to them, as Shuler believed, to rebel against "parental 'national' culture".

This 'national' culture, and no doubt indiginous music, is not always a true reflection of national cultural identity due to the nature of imported Anglo-American culture in many countries, which naturally infiltrates into the native or more traditional sounds, thus being influenced by what is globally popular.