In 2012, South Korean pop artist Psy revolutionized the way we think about foreign music with his stylistic hit “Gangnam Style.” The world was hooked on its catchy chorus and familiar dance, and the music video surpassed 3.4 billion views on Youtube. Since “Gangnam Style,” foreign music has grown into a true cultural presence, both in the U.S. and around the world.
For the past 20 years, ever since the breakout of Latina breakout superstars Shakira & Jennifer Lopez, the English-speaking world has accepted more and more kinds of music into the mainstream, most notably from Latin culture. Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi collaborated with rapper Daddy Yankee to release “Despacito,” which was a hit in the United States. The unforgettable tune of the song helps overlook the fact that non-Spanish speaking audiences butcher the unknown lyrics.
A European singing competition, Eurovision, epitomizes this embrace of foreign music. The competition features singers from a variety of European countries, as well as Russia, Azerbaijan, Israel, and Australia. After winning the Eurovision trophy, the winning country hosts the contest the following year. Americans will finally be able to stream Eurovision 2020 Netherlands on television after years of only being able to stream it online, signifying a potentially more widespread appreciation for foreign music in the U.S.
K-pop sensations like BTS and BLACKPINK have also made a name for themselves in the U.S., despite English-speakers likely not understanding the Korean lyrics.
People can identify with a song regardless of the language that it’s in. When listening, people are able to infer how the singer feels based on their voice, not just their words. When listening to an evocative piece, people don’t discriminate based on the language that it is in.
Article by Brigitte Kaba of Walter Johnson High School
Graphic by Sophie Zheng of Cabin John Middle School