Critical Review 2: Slobin 1994

Mark Slobin begins his discussion of music and diaspora by outlining the ways music can contribute to the identities of individuals from a certain diaspora.  It is music, he argues, that (alongside food) is "the main means of identification of diasporic groups."  As he goes on, he explains that although music is shared by a whole diaspora, it is only influenced by a few.  Finally, he explains how stickiness can occur when diasporic lines are blurred.

Discussion Questions:  What are the key similarities and differences between diasporic groups and subcultures?  What entitles the few who can influence the music of a diaspora to do so.