Have you ever wondered what’s mainstream in Zimbabwe? Or what might be overplayed on the radio in Poland? Living in North America, I feel like my view of the music industry is as narrow as it can be. Being culturally intelligent is a fad heavily expanding with the generation y’s wanderlust, more prominent than ever before. For some reason, there is a fascination in landmarks, architecture, food and art but not necessarily music.
We’re comfortable listening to a boxed-in selection of Justin Bieber, Miley and The Weeknd, but I think it’s time to challenge that. After looking through the charts of 50 international countries, I was shocked to find that a lot of North American music is popularized heavily outside our continent as well. But, as much as Americanized music appears to be widely distributed, and I enjoyed some songs more than others, I also came across a ton of artists I had never heard of before. When I listened, I was pleased to feel a part of that culture through their music. I’ve compiled a list so grab your passport and sunhat because these artists are sure to take you places. Here are 24 #1 hits of the summer:
1. Belgium – Reality (ft. Janieck Devy) by Lost Frequencies
2. El Salvador – El Pardon by Nicky Jam & Enrique Ignlesias
3. Finland – Tarkenee by JVG
4. France – Goodbye by Feder
5. Germany – Bye Bye by Cro
6. Greece – See You Again by Wiz Khalifa
7. India – Sun Saathiya by Divya Kumar& Priya Saraiya
8. Indonesia – Twerk It Like Miley by Brandon Beal
9. Ireland – Black Magic by Little Mix
10. Israel – Eurovision 2015 Israel by Golden Boy
11. Italy – El Mismo Sol by Alvaro Soler
12. Japan – I Really Like You by Carly Rae Jepson
13. New Zealand – Inside Out by Avalanche City
14. Nigeria – My Woman, My Everything by Patoranking
15. Norway – Play My Drum by Sandra Lyng
16. Poland – Badz Duzy by Natalia Nykiel
17. Romania – De Mama by Delia
18. Russia – Imagination (ft. Katy Menditto) by Gorgon City
19. South Africa – Fight Song by Rachel Platten
20. Spain – La Gozadera (ft. Marc Anthony) by Gente de Zona
21. Sweden – Sun is Shining by Axwell /\ Ingrosso
22. United Kingdom – Shine by Years and Years
23. Vietnam – PARTY by Girls Generation
24. Zimbabwe – Yoga by Janelle Monae & Jidenna
Wouldn’t you like to be the cool kid at the party who plays a record nobody’s heard of but absolutely loves? Hearing a great song for the very first time is one of those savory moments that you can’t get back. So I challenge you to sit back, enjoy and open your mind to the world of music. As different as all these tracks sound, popular music will always have one thing in common no matter where it’s from: toes are tapping and people are singing along. Music is a language we all speak and it holds no barriers.
Featured image via Mohammad Metri on Unsplash
I love love love black magic by little mix