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What Music Is Hot Around The World?

The world has listened, and it agrees: Lady Gaga is in.

The American pop star's "Poker Face" has penetrated nearly every international market, as has The Black Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow." You'll find those songs at or near the top of nearly every radio or sales chart around the world.

But many local artists still hold tremendous sway in their countries or regions, often flourishing without the promotional reach of major record labels.

For this month's Talk of the World feature, Talk of the Nation asks international listeners: What's the hot music where you live? Who are the top artists? And who in your country are the tastemakers — the DJs, critics, artists and others who can make or break an act? Join the conversation in the comments section. And hear some of the local artists making waves around the world below.

Guests:

Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick, founder of the band Incognito

Adrian Washika, radio DJ in Nairobi, Kenya

Banning Eyre, NPR reviewer and senior editor at Afropop.org

Copyright 2024 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.