【2026】The State of World Music Now: Introducing Masterpieces to Enjoy Diverse Musical Cultures

World music lets you enjoy truly global sounds that carry traditional music from around the world—especially from non-English-speaking regions—into the present.

Its appeal lies in a universal expressive power that resonates across different cultures and languages.

In recent years, songs incorporating African rhythms, Arabian flavors, and Latin music have become worldwide hits, and its diversity keeps expanding, even into experimental works that combine traditional instruments with electronic sounds.

In this article, we’ll broadly introduce smash hits and highly acclaimed popular tracks that capture the current moment of world music.

We also feature traditional world music in the latter half, so be sure to check it out.

Playlist

【2026】The State of World Music Now: Introducing Masterpieces to Enjoy Diverse Musical Cultures
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Ella Baila SolaEslabon Armado, Peso Pluma		Sierreño Mexican music is a global hit
2	CALLAÍTABad Bunny		A classic that portrays summer nights in Puerto Rico
3	CommasAyra Starr		A Song of Ayra Starr’s Growth and Self-Affirmation
4	DumebiRema		Rema’s debut song becomes an international smash hit
5	ТРИ ПОЛОСИJerry Heil		A song of courage to move forward without yielding to hardship
6	LisaYoung Miko		A song celebrating Young Miko’s diversity
7	ProvenzaKAROL G		Karol G’s powerful anthem of freedom
8	BandanaFireboy DML, Asake		A dynamic Afrobeats track from Nigeria
9	Ay VamosJ Balvin		J Balvin achieves huge success with a passionate reggaeton love song
10	DESPECHÁROSALÍA		Rosalía’s groundbreaking achievement in revolutionizing Spanish music
11	Mi ReyAntonio Rey		A masterpiece that fuses flamenco’s tradition and innovation
12	Shrini’s DreamShakti		A moving work of Indian and jazz improvisational music
13	AltayUmmet Ozcan X Otyken		A fusion work of Turkish and Indigenous music
14	Esta NocheYahritza y Su Esencia		A love song by three siblings revolutionizing Mexican music
15	SakuraTakumi Masanori		Fusion of traditional Japanese instruments and contemporary music, Grammy Award-winning
16	Margapati		Traditional Music of Bali: Margapati
17	Udan Mas		The allure of Javanese gamelan music “Golden Rain”
18	Wilujeng		The heartwarming melodies of Indonesian traditional music
19	Prahu LayarKi Nartosabdho		A masterpiece that revolutionized Indonesia’s traditional music
20	Whirl-y-Reel 1Afro Celt Sound System		A classic by the Afro Celt Sound System
21	Sweet lullabyDeep Forest		The music duo of Sánchez and Muke
22	Babar Layar		Ritual of setting sail, a mystical world of sound
23	Kodok Ngorek		The Mythic Origins of Javanese Traditional Gamelan Music and Frogs
24	Laler Mengeng		The transmission of the classical musical work “Laler Mengeng”
25	Rangsang Tuban		The Mysterious Music of the Indonesian Royal Court
26	Ujan Mas		A famous piece by an Indonesian traditional ensemble
27	GeneticDewa Alit & Gamelan Salukat		Music where tradition and innovation converge
28	CendrawasihI Nyoman Windha		Expressing the birds-of-paradise of Bali through music
29	Kosalia AriniI Wayan Beratha		A captivating piece of traditional Indonesian music
30	Amdjer De Nos TerraCesária Évora		Cesária Évora, a singer from Cape Verde
31	Kebyar Ding		Traditional music of Bali, innovative works
32	Bem, Bem, MariaGipsy Kings		A renowned gypsy music band from France
33	Cruel DestinoGEO Meneses		Mexican piano singer, Geo Meneses
34	Love & HopeOzomatli		Ozomatli’s signature song “Love & Hope”
35	How dearly I long for you.Sato Anna		A singer from Amami, appeared in Les Misérables.
36	OverdoneBombay Bicycle Club		Representative hit songs of Indian-origin bands
37	RaanjhanMIDIval Punditz		The song “Raanjhan” by an Indian musical duo.
38	Orik GullagandaSevara Nazarxon		The famous song by the Uzbek singer Sevara
39	MatsuriYoshida Kiyoshi		Kiyoshi Yoshida is a film music composer.
40	Water LilyJiǎ Péngfāng		An erhu player from Heilongjiang Province who also works on film music.
41	Cape Chikyuu (Cape Earth)tōn		The music unit ToTONE from Hokkaido
42	Comme à la radioBrigitte Fontaine		Signature songs of Brigitte Fontaine
43	Anjo GabrielDominique Pinto		A Brazilian cellist raised in Paris
44	Marco PoloJōnouchi Misa		Misa Jounouchi, a masterpiece by the queen of soundtrack music
45	U.B. JesusDavid Byrne		David Byrne’s solo work and music
46	Todo o corpoDavide Salvado		Spanish singer Davide Salvado
47	AllahYoussou N’Dour		Senegalese singer, a fusion of tradition and contemporary music
48	IskanderiaNatacha Atlas		A singer from Belgium, debut album
49	Lasse Pour QuoiAzam Ali		Singer from India active in the United States
50	Tu CárcelLila Downs		Lila Downs, a popular Mexican singer
51	Tiempo De SoleáOjos de Brujo		Spanish flamenco band
52	Shanti, Shanti, ShantiSheila Chandra		Sheila Chandra, active as a solo singer
53	AndaduraHosono Haruomi		Haruomi Hosono, a musician known for his diverse musical activities
54	Nothing Without YouNusrat Fateh Ali Khan		The legend of a musician who represents Pakistan
55	berangkat – Buranka –THE BOOM		A signature song by THE BOOM, a JAL campaign song
56	MaimounaBallaké Sissoko		Ethnic music performer from Mali
57	Cruisin’ J-TownHiroshima		US band Hiroshima that uses Japanese instruments
58	1944Jamala		Jamala's song '1944' depicts history.