Editors' Introduction

Abstract

To open the fourth volume of the Journal of World Popular Music, we present a rich issue that brings together a significant number of scholars working on different areas related to popular music studies in the world, and who offer their expertise from a variety of academic disciplines. We see this issue as further demonstrating the contemporary wealth of research in the interdisciplinary study of world popular music, and the essential work conducted around the globe to shed light upon the vital role that popular music takes in contemporary societies and cultures. Thus, besides the geographical reach of JWPM, which here materializes through the investigations of the processes of production, distribution, dissemination and preservation of popular music in Mali, Madagascar, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Turkey, the US and Hungary, the journal is deeply committed to the publication of research that generates innovative perspectives on different fields and areas of research in world popular music. Issue 4.1 demonstrates this commitment, exploring such current and diverse issues as the role of the internet, the state, identity, citizenship, heritage, museum and archive studies in the construction and circulation of world popular music. The range of contributions featured in this issue of JWPM further posits the journal as an essential outlet for scholars interested in (world) popular music studies, or enthusiasts who wish to hear about and engage in current and cutting-edge debates surrounding popular music forms worldwide.