Best World Music of the 2010s

In chronological order.  I created this list by going through the Best Music – Year By Year lists for 2010-2019 and pulling out all the world music releases.  I realize that “world music” is a problematic term and concept.  I use it here to include: traditional music from around the globe (including the US); the music of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, South America, and the Pacific Islands; Latin music; Celtic music; as well as some music with roots in or influences from any of the above sources.  I also occasionally include pop, rock or folk groups that are based in countries where the primary language is not English.

  1. King Sunny Adé – Bábá mo Túndé (2010)
  2. Afrocubism – Afrocubism (2010)
  3. Panico – Kick (2010)
  4. King Creosote and John Hopkins – Diamond Mine (2011)
  5. Tinariwen – Tassili (2011)
  6. La Vida Boheme – Nuestra (2011)
  7. Bombino – Agadez (2011)
  8. Bombino – Nomad (2013)
  9. The Garifuna Collective – Ayó (2013)
  10. Harry Manx – Om Suite Ohm (2013)
  11. Rokia Traoré – Beautiful Africa (2013)
  12. William Onyeabor – Who Is William Onyeabor? (rec. 1977-1985, rel. 2013)
  13. The Pedrito Martinez Group – The Pedrito Martinez Group (2013)
  14. Tal National – Kaani (2013)
  15. Toumani Diabate and Sidiki Diabate – Toumani & Sidiki (2014)
  16. Seun Kuti – A Long Way To The Beginning (2014)
  17. Noura Mint Seymali – Tzenni (2014)
  18. Stromae – Racine Carrée (2014)
  19. David Virelles – Mbókò: Sacred Music for Piano, Two Basses, Drum Set and Biankoméko Abakuá (2014)
  20. Songhoy Blues – Music In Exile (2015)
  21. Mbongwana Star – From Kinshasa (2015)
  22. Tigran Hamasysan – Luys I Luso (2015)
  23. Bomba Estéreo – Amanecer (2015)
  24. Leyla McCalla – A Day for the Hunter, A Day for the Prey (2016)
  25. Lakou Mizik – Wa Di Yo (2016)
  26. Calypso Rose – Far from Home (2016)
  27. Bombino – Azel (2016)
  28. Derek Gripper – Libraries on Fire (2016)
  29. Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil – Dois Amigos, Um Século de Música: Multishow Live (2016)
  30. Elza Soares – A Mulher Do Fim Do Mundo (2016)
  31. iLé – iLevitable (2016)
  32. Lady Maisery – Cycle (2016)
  33. Rant – Reverie (2016)
  34. Tinariwen – Elwan (2017)
  35. Oumou Sangaré – Mogoya (2017)
  36. Jupiter & Okwess – Kin Sonic (2017)
  37. Sons of Kemet – Your Queen Is a Reptile (2018)
  38. Angelique Kidjo – Remain in Light (2018)
  39. Khruangbin – Con Todo El Mundo (2018)
  40. J Balvin – Vibras (2018)
  41. Fatoumata Diawara – Fenfo (2018)
  42. Rosalía – El Mal Querer (2018)
  43. Bad Bunny – X 100PRE (2019)
  44. Rhiannon Giddens – There Is No Other (2019)