Global Music Exchange: Cross-Cultural Flows, Digital Platforms, and the Future of Musical Collaboration

Abstract

The globalization of music has intensified cross-cultural collaboration, enabled new forms of artistic expression, and redefined the way sounds travel across borders. Through both organic interactions and mediated exchanges, music has become a powerful conduit for dialogue, identity formation, and cultural negotiation. This article explores the dynamics of global music exchange, examining the historical roots of transnational musical flows and the transformative impact of digital platforms on production, distribution, and consumption. It analyzes the tension between cultural exchange and appropriation, highlighting ethical considerations around representation, ownership, and power asymmetries.

Institutional roles ranging from music diplomacy to NGO-led cultural initiatives are critically assessed alongside the structural inequalities that continue to shape access and visibility in the global music economy. Drawing on case studies and cross-genre examples, the article provides a nuanced understanding of how global music exchange operates within the intersection of technology, policy, and cultural identity. Ultimately, it argues for more equitable, ethical, and inclusive frameworks to support artists and audiences in a deeply interconnected musical landscape.