Cyprus’s music reflects the island’s layered history, with folk traditions, dance forms, and popular styles shaped by its Mediterranean setting.
The music of Cyprus includes a variety of classical, folk and popular genres. Cypriot folk music is similar to the folk music of Greece and includes dances like sousta, syrtos, tatsia, antikristos and zeimbekiko.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia’s “Music of Cyprus” article.
A performance highlighting Cyprus’s folk music and dance traditions.
Cuban music brings together Spanish and African traditions in a rich, globally influential blend of rhythm, dance, and song.
The Caribbean island of Cuba has developed a wide range of creolized musical styles, based on its cultural origins in Europe and Africa. Since the 19th century its music has been hugely popular and influential throughout the world. It has been perhaps the most popular form of world music since the introduction of recording technology.
The music of Cuba, including the instruments and the dances, is mostly of European (Spanish) and African origin. Most forms of the present day are creolized fusions and mixtures of these two sources. Almost nothing remains of the original Indian traditions.[1]
Overview adapted from Wikipedia’s “Music of Cuba” article.
A performance reflecting Cuba’s vibrant musical traditions.
A further example of Cuba’s varied musical heritage.
Buena Vista Social Club performs “Chan Chan,” an enduring classic of Cuban son.
Croatia’s music reflects Adriatic, Central European, Balkan, and Mediterranean influences, from klapa harmony and regional folk dance to tamburica, classical music, rock, and enduring popular song.
The music of Croatia, like the divisions of the country itself, has two major influences: a Central European one, present in central and northern parts of the country and in Slavonia, and a Mediterranean one, present in coastal regions of Dalmatia and Istria.In Croatia both pop and rock are popular, as well as pop music influenced by Dalmatian or Slavonian folk elements.From the mid-20th century onwards, so-called schlager music and chanson-inspired music have formed the backbone of the Croatian popular music.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia’s “Music of Croatia” article.
Oliver Dragojević’s “Galeb i ja” exemplifies Dalmatian popular song, joining Adriatic imagery with a warm, unmistakable vocal style.
“Trag u beskraju” offers another beloved performance from one of Croatia’s most enduring singers.
This additional selection broadens the post beyond Dragojević to another example of Croatia’s musical culture.
Côte d’Ivoire’s music draws on many regional traditions while its cities have become major centers for styles including reggae, zouglou, coupé-décalé, dance music, and modern West African pop.
Each of the more than sixty ethnic groups of Ivory Coast has its own folk music traditions, most showing strong vocal polyphony (a common characteristic of African music), especially the Baoulé. Talking drums are also common, especially among the Appollo, who are also known for their abissa purification dance, part of the popular Zoblazo dance music of Meiway. Polyrhythm, another African characteristic, is found throughout Ivory Coast, and is especially common in the southwest.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia’s “Music of Ivory Coast” article.
Ivorian reggae star Alpha Blondy’s live performance of “Jerusalem” shows the international reach of one of Côte d’Ivoire’s most recognizable musical voices.
This playlist broadens the selection beyond reggae to offer additional examples from Côte d’Ivoire’s varied popular music scene.