Now that the U.S. has been knocked out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, who should Americans root for? (Those of us who follow football, anyway.) Well, if we’re as multi-culti as we like to think, we probably all have roots in other countries–or a couple if you’re Brazilian Girls’ Sabina Sciubba.
The best part about the World Cup is the exposure it brings to international music. Two-hundred and four countries attempted to qualify for this installment of the World Cup, and here we present a selection of interesting music from around the globe. Boring “world music” this ain’t.
Internationally-known megastars contributed to Listen Up!, the official World Cup album featuring Shakira, R. Kelly, Matisyahu, Pitbull and more.
South Africa is the obvious standout since competition takes place on its soil. For a crash course in South African music ranging from jazz and street guitarists to pennywhistle jive (that just sounds awesome), I Pick My Nose has a superb roundup featuring vocalist Miriam Makeba, jazz musician Abdullah Ibrahim, rapper Tuks and more. BLK JKS released their own World Cup song, “Zol!,” part of their new EP bearing the same name.
Groups like CSS and Bonde Do Rolê burst onto the Brazilian scene a few years ago to international acclaim, and rock bands like The Moxine are now emerging. For a history lesson in bossa nova, Afropop put together a nice selection of both legends like João Gilberto to new school innovators like Vinicius Cantuária.
K-pop is all the rage is South Korea, from ballad-heavy boy bands to poppy rap groups, including Big Bang, Wondergirls, 2AM (and 2PM) and Rain. Jambinai offers a more traditional perspective.
If you’ve ever been into any Flying Nun records, chances are you’re probably familiar with New Zealand’s kiwi rock scene. Bands like The Bats are still active, while The Ruby Suns, Thieves and Surf City continue the wave.
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