Music crosses the boundaries made by cultural differences. Immerse yourself in the experience of listening without relating. This is the ultimate form of musical appreciation.

A moment between you and a song based purely on what the senses give you. The words aren’t there to fire up the synapses in your brain because of the language barrier. Enjoy it for what it is instead.

Musical melting pot

Everyone must protect the line that shouldn’t be crossed. Racism. You will find that all music is intertwined as you widen your knowledge of musical genres. Artists give and take skills from any idol hidden in each corner of the world. They don’t have to be big or famous. They just have to be heard. And unlike a tree in a forest, they are making sounds.

Open the door to understanding the mannerisms of a completely new people. Learn bits and pieces of a new language. Add the reggae groove to an R&B melody – see what happens. Bring an Arab drum beat to an emotional West European ballad to let the ear react.

A successful artist can pull you into their world. “Hello Habibi” (2024) an Afrobeat by Olamide featuring Russ is one such merging of arts. Olamide is a Nigerian Hip-hop artist/songwriter raised in Bariga Lagos State. Russ is an Italian singer/rapper/songwriter and producer. He was predominantly raised in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. This song was produced by Ramii & Otis.

Hello Habibi, hello my loved one

This song is a smooth introduction for listeners to research culture. This would include the meaning of words and their impactful origins. This track very obviously holds significance in the Arab world starting from its title which translates to hello my loved one.

A religious greeting thrown in for respect (assalam wa’alaykum is a Muslim greeting meaning hello). This doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone in this production shares the religion. They simply acknowledge its place.

The music video was shot in a Middle Eastern country which compliments the richness common to those countries.

Foreign instruments

Musicians have many instruments and sounds at their disposal when they’re on the world's playing field. Percussion and string instruments never used in the Western sphere can be picked up and integrated into any rhythm. That’s not to say that mashups and collaborations are always good regardless of skill. The opportunity to create a masterful art piece changes with these new tools.

Drum sets in the West have varying punctured sounds. Africans and Middle Easterners will give you the Gbedu or Tabla (two of the many percussion names). It holds a different pitch than the Drum because of the material used to make each item. Where and how the artists hit the drum affects its production. Sticks vs. hands and/or fingers.

Natural music represents humanity. Imperfect and beautiful.

Path of exploration

A wide-swept fear has gripped the West for too long; it’s time to change the negative connotation surrounding culture. Appropriation… It’s the scariest word thrown in people’s faces when they move towards international excursions.

This aversion to new things comes from fear of the unknown and judgment from others. Another’s way of life puts a metaphorical heavy weight on your shoulders. Consider the history of the country or nation. Study the language and what type of habits the people have when speaking said language.

You might ask yourself what their common beliefs are. Maybe even why they started playing music and who is a part of the ancestral talents. A traditional Chinese instrument (Guzheng) was traded and tweaked as it passed through the ages and nations to eventually be renamed.

Appreciation is within

The smallest exposition can garner just enough interest for someone outside the culture. There is nothing inherently wrong with learning about practices unlike your own. You grow smarter and more open-minded. Here are a few important ideas that should be embedded in the minds of everybody on this Earth:

The unknown isn’t scary once you know.
Learning culture is never a crime.
Be good-hearted. You’re on the right track.

At the end of the day… Vibe out!

Wayam Essa is a Professional Writing student at Algonquin College. This experience has given her new tools to explore artistic expressions. She enjoys studying lyricism that reaches beyond the surface. With a passion for learning languages and cultures around the world, she created a diverse foundation that elevated her understanding of singing and writing. These lessons continue to follow close behind her thirst to chase meaningful musicality.