Gaddafi told me so
Don’t Call It World Music is a free, independent and curated roundup of music news. Each weekly edition of our newsletter features a handpicked selection of articles related to every kind of music, offering insights into genres from every corner of the globe.
Our mission is to provide visibility to a wide array of issues, musical traditions, artists and genres that are underrepresented or overlooked in mainstream media, generate curiosity and drive traffic to original sources, particularly alternative and independent platforms.
MaltaToday reveals the story of Libyan financial backing for Maltese musicians in the 1970s and 1980s to create politically charged pop music. The article describes the technological difficulties faced by Maltese studios at the time, forcing the musicians to record abroad.
"Gaddafi bankrolling a dozen Maltese funk and pop musicians in the '70s and '80s to create music promoting his regime might just be the greatest thing he ever did."
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday investigates the practice of sampling in soca music, discussing the legal and ethical issues it raises. The article points out that many artists sample without permission, which often leads to legal problems when a song becomes popular.
"Many do it (without permission), because the song most times doesn’t get big. But when it does get big, then the lawyers come in."
The Baffler presents a conversation about the social significance of music, focusing on Liz Pelly’s book about Spotify. The article emphasizes that music is fundamentally a social practice, intricately tied to human interaction, culture, and community and critiques Spotify’s efforts to transform it into an isolating experience, along with discussing the effects of a uniform streaming model for all music types and the implications of "perfect fit content".
"Whether we realize it or not, the means of media consumption continue to become more insular."
Spin profiles Carlos Malcolm, an important figure in Jamaican music, and his work in the development of ska. The article emphasizes his role as a composer, arranger, and conductor and covers his collaboration with the Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra. It discusses his dedication to musical scores as a means of preservation, his background, and his spiritual relationship with music.
The Quietus offers a primer on Ukrainian independent music since 1988, noting its roots in cultural resistance. The article spotlights a variety of experimental and innovative music from cities like Kyiv, with artists such as Kollezhskiy Assessor.
The band Kazma Kazma amused listeners with their complex, prog rock inspired, melodic passages that combined the traditions of the late Middle Ages, the heritage of Renaissance composers and the techniques of the symphonic avant-garde. Actively using folk elements and an assertive punk approach, the musicians of Kazma-Kazma sounded like an entire rock orchestra, built on behalf of Ukraine’s experimental underground scene.
daily.bandcamp.com explores the electronic music scene in Manila, Philippines, notably the rise of budots. The article discusses how Western preferences have historically influenced the local music landscape and Manila Community Radio’s (MCR) efforts to promote local talent and the influence of WSK.
Budots? A "Budot" in Manila refers to a type of Filipino dance and music genre originating from Davao, a city in the Philippines. The name is derived from a slang term in the Visayan language, meaning "slacker." It is known for its upbeat tempo, repetitive rhythms, and humorous, exaggerated dance moves that typically involve sweeping hand gestures and gyrating body movements.
“Budots is still the music of the tambay, the poor, the gangsters, and the rugby boys.”
The New Arab reveals the challenges faced by queer people in Istanbul, particularly those who are not Turkish citizens, such as unjust arrests and deportation threats, as well as difficulties in finding employment. Despite these difficulties, the article highlights the existence of essential queer social spaces, but notes an increasing trend of emigration due to the hostile environment.
Resident Advisor reflects on David Lynch’s impact, quoting Flying Lotus to suggest that questioning is more important than answering. It’s a short piece that captures the essence of Lynch’s artistic philosophy.
The Independent explores the impact of LCD Soundsystem’s debut album on the New York music scene, including its role in the emergence of "hipster culture". The article narrates the band's origins, including James Murphy's key experience with ecstasy and the creation of DFA Records, and emphasizes their blend of punk and dance music.
Vulture analyzes Bad Bunny’s album Debí Tirar Más Fotos as a celebration of Puerto Rican heritage and culture. The article describes the album's mix of reggaeton, synth-pop, and folk music, as well as its political themes regarding Puerto Rico’s relationship with the United States. It also touches on the album’s critique of statehood and the island's commercialization.
Bibliolore provides an in-depth history of the ʿūd, a stringed instrument from the Arab world, and its cultural significance. It traces the instrument’s evolution through various regions and times, and emphasizes its importance in music theory and philosophical discussions.
Interlude presents Fazıl Say as a significant contemporary artist who daringly combines Western classical music with Turkish folk and jazz traditions.
EL PAÍS English investigates why Robbie Williams is a major star in Europe, but relatively unknown in the United States.
"‘But who is Robbie Williams?’: What’s up with the international star being a nobody in the United States?"
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