Best World Music Albums of 2021

World Music Central presents the best world music albums of 2021 selected by its editors and contributors.

Daryana Antipova (Russia)

San Salvador – The Great Madness – The Great Madness / Pagans / MDC
Mahsa Vahdat – Light up the night – Kirkelig Kulturverksted
Staritsa- Klyukva – CPL-music
Khöömei Beat – Changys Baglaach – ARC Music
Various Artists – Henna: Young Female Voices of Palestine – Kirkelig Kulturverksted
Witch camp (Ghana) – I forgot who I was – Six degrees
Danyel Waro – Tinn All – Cobalt / Buda Music
Dalinda- Atjarok – Fono
Vedan Kolod – Gorodische – CPL-music
Tania Saleh – 10 AD – Kirkelig Kulturverksted

“These albums made this year special for me: some of them I was listening to in the hospital waiting for delivery, some of them helped me through the first 3 months with newborn Yaroslav, some that I have reviewed and received lots of positive feedback and some are just awesome!– Dariana.

Watch the videos of Daryana’s list:

Madanmohan Rao (India)

Samba Touré – Binga – Glitter beat
Shujaat Husain Khan, Katayoun Goudarzi, Shaho Andalibi and Shariq Mustafa – This pale – Lycopodium
Various Artists – Cameroon Garage Funk – Analog Africa
Angelique Kidjo – Mother Nature – Decca
Femi Kuti & Made Kuti – Legacy + – Supporter
Las Lloronas– tempered – Muziekpublique
Various Artists – Henna: Young Female Voices of Palestine – Kirkelig Kulturverksted
Baba Sissoko with Jean-Philippe Rykiel, Madou Sidiki Diabate, Lansiné Kouyaté – Griot Jazz – Caligola
Natacha Atlas – Inside and outside – Wise music editing
Antonis Antonioou – Kkismettin – Ajabou!

Watch the videos of Madan’s list:

Angel Romero (USA)

Khöömei Beat – Changys Baglaach – ARC Music
Rapiki Jazz – Nduggu Dust – Konimusic
Rubén Blades & L’Orquesta Roberto Delgado – Salswing! – Ruben Blades Productions
Namgar– Nayan Navaa – ARC Music
Shujaat Husain Khan, Katayoun Goudarzi, Shaho Andalibi and Shariq Mustafa – This pale – Records of lycopods
Ogun Afrobeat – Unite – Ogun Afrobeat
Orchestra Afrosinfonica – Orin, a língua dos anjos – Louco Machine
Rachel Magoola – Resilience – Songs from Uganda – ARC Music
Petrona Martinez- Ancestors – Chaco World Music
Transglobal Underground – A gathering of strangers 2021 – Mule 20