What Is World Music and Why Does it Exist?

World music is mainly seen as being music from countries and places far away from our own, we would however not see american music as world music and perhaps this is because we share a language in common. There is no clear definition of world music even though when thought about all music could fit into this category as it is being created in this world, however most people would say music from countries that speak a language different to english would be seen as world music. World music exists for many different reasons but perhaps mostly to entertain different cultures and to inform other cultures of their existence and different styles. However when being created it is extremely unlikely that the creators of this music are thinking of pleasing other countries who don't speak their languages or listen to the different sounds their music produces and this is perhaps why the music is classed as being 'World'.

Is popular music a mass produced commodity or an art form?

Popular music has been viewed in many different ways and it is often set apart from 'serious music' (like classical music) as it viewed as being easier to consume and is also viewed as being for a lower class of people.  Because of this view a lot of people would say that popular music is definitely not an art form.  Adorno says that music is standardised and that music acts as social cement that brainwashes its audience and this can be seen in the sense that audiences these days accept what they are being given and they don't challenge it,  people are accepting computer generated music that has no originality anymore.  Music can be seen as an art form depending on the creator, a person who sits in front of a computer creating electronic music could not really be seen as an artist but musicians who create music from scratch including lyrics as well as classical artists would be seen as creators of art to many different people.  Music can only be defined as a popular commodity or an art form by the people who consume it.