| International or world music has never been one of | | | | and has included some tracks that could be classified |
| the most popular genres for U.S. audiences, perhaps | | | | as such on almost all of his releases as a solo artist. |
| due to the adherence of American youth culture to | | | | Gabriel is also the creator of WOMAD, the World of |
| trendsetting musical styles. In recent years, however, | | | | Music, Arts and Dance movement. |
| international music has become something of a cult | | | | International music popularity in the U.S. has grown |
| phenomenon, even among smaller segments of the | | | | steadily over the last few years, which is especially |
| nation's youth. | | | | interesting considering the decline of many other far |
| Modern international music is typified by the | | | | more traditionally popular styles of music. Many |
| convergence of traditional folk from various corners | | | | international music artist that have enjoyed popularity |
| of the globe and modern rhythmic accompaniment. | | | | in other countries are finding an audience stateside, |
| Often, multiple styles are meshed to form an intricate | | | | and a few are even able to tour under their record |
| weave of patterns and melodies that result in a | | | | label sponsors. |
| worldly flavor reminiscent of the early indigenous | | | | Still, the question remains. Why, after so many years |
| music heard in Sub Saharan Africa but with 21st | | | | of relative obscurity, has international music increased |
| century appeal. Many styles are represented by | | | | in popularity in the U.S.? |
| international music artists, some of which lean more | | | | In all probability, the musicians that have produced |
| toward the primal and folk genres while others are a | | | | highly popular music in the US over the last several |
| mixture of African, Cuban, Middle Eastern, Australian, | | | | years are in great part, responsible. Many hip hop and |
| South American and Asian traditional music. | | | | R&B artists as well as those from pop and rock have |
| Several prominent recording artist of the last few | | | | released popular tracks that feature relatively |
| decades have delved into international themes, which | | | | unknown world music luminaries in a backup role. This |
| has had a positive, though small, effect on the genre | | | | has allowed many international music artists to get |
| as a whole. Paul Simon's multi-platinum "Graceland" | | | | their name and their sound into the public |
| album was one of the first examples of a popular | | | | consciousness. As more and more mainstream artist |
| artist adding world music sensibilities to traditional | | | | delve deeper into the pool of international acts and |
| songwriting structures. Peter Gabriel has played no | | | | musicians to separate their sound, this trend is likely |
| small part in the propagation of international music, | | | | to continue. |