Some were released decades after they were first written
Some music genres are inherently connected to their birthplace. For instance, when one mentions reggae, Jamaica usually comes to mind. While not every country gave birth to a unique music genre, many do have their own, and some became big enough to spread around the world.
In this gallery, we look at the countries famous for their music genres. Click on to get to know them.
Brazil’s most famous music exports are samba and bossa nova, but the South American nation has many other music genres. These include forró, axé, choro, funk, sertaneja, pagode, and MPB, to name a few.
While the roots of reggaeton can be traced back to Panama, the genre was popularized in Puerto Rico.
Irish folk music dates back centuries and can be traced to its Celtic roots. Instruments such as the banjo, the uilleann pipes, and the fiddle are often used in music from the Emerald Isle.
The European nation is best known for flamenco, a genre born in southern Spain that includes both music and dance. There are other traditional genres in the country, including jota, sardana, pasodoble, and muiñeira, to name a few.
South Korea has a number of traditional folk and popular music genres, but none has reached the worldwide popularity of K-pop.
Italy is synonymous with opera, but there are other music genres associated with the European nation, such as Italo disco.
The Caribbean island is rich in musical heritage. Music genres such as ska, rocksteady, reggae, and dancehall are associated with Jamaica.
Argentina’s most famous music genre has a dance to match. Of course, we’re talking about tango!
The Southern European country is best known for its traditional fado, which originates from the capital, Lisbon.
Cuba has a rich musical heritage. Genres such as rumba, mambo, and son Cubano have put the island on the musical map. Salsa also incorporates elements of Cuban music, but it was actually born in the US.
When we think of modern Indian music, Bollywood pop music comes to mind. Despite Hindi cinema music being huge, this is not the only genre to come out of India. Others include bhangra, as well as carnatic and hindustani music, to name a few.
Mexico is probably best known for its Mariachi. Traditional genres of Mexican music include ranchera and norteño.
Greece has a rich musical heritage, with rebetiko being among the most popular forms of music in the region. Laiko is also a major music genre in the country.
The US is the birthplace of the most popular music genres in the world: we’re talking about the blues, jazz, rock and roll, and rap.
Of course, there are more, including gospel, country, bluegrass, and soul, to name a few.
The UK gave the world a number of music genres, including progressive rock, heavy metal, acid jazz, trip hop, UK garage, dubstep, and grime, among others.
The West African nation is famous for its traditional highlife, but also for hiplife, which mixes traditional elements with hip hop.
Chanson and cabaret music are probably the most well known genres to come out of France.
Nigeria is best known for being the birthplace of Afrobeat. The African nation is also known for jùjú music, fiji, and apala, to name a few.
There is a rich indigenous Australian music tradition, where instruments such as the didgeridoo are used. Aussie rock bands such as AC/DC also helped put Australia on the music map.
Colombia has a number of traditional music genres, including vallenato, cumbia, and champeta, to name a few.
South Africa is a rich nation when it comes to music. The country is known for kwaito, as well as traditional Zulu music such as mbube, isicathamiya, mbaqanga, and many others.
The country is associated with several traditional and modern genres. Egypt is known for genres such as shaabi, which is popular working class music, and mahraganat, which mixes shaabi with EDM and hip hop.
Ottoman music, also known as Turkish classical music, is one of the most well-known music genres in the country. Arabesque is also a famous style of Turkish music.
Haiti is famous for kompa, which mixes traditional elements with jazz. Rara is also a style of traditional music in Haiti.
The East African nation has its own music genres. Kenya is all about genge, benga, and lingala music.
Mande music (of the Mande peoples) is likely the most popular genre to come out of Mali.
Norwegian folk music has its place in the country, but the Scandinavian nation is also known for one extreme music genre: black metal.
The African archipelago is has a number of traditional music genres, including funaná and morna.
If you’re looking for Bulgarian pop music, then look no further than chalga. The genre mixes elements of traditional music with hip hop and reggaeton.
Sources: (AllMusic) (Encyclopedia Britannica)
See also: The world's most popular genres of music
Countries famous for their music genres
From every continent on the planet
MUSIC History
Some music genres are inherently connected to their birthplace. For instance, when one mentions reggae, Jamaica usually comes to mind. While not every country gave birth to a unique music genre, many do have their own, and some became big enough to spread around the world.
In this gallery, we look at the countries famous for their music genres. Click on to get to know them.