The United Nations cultural agency Unesco has recently added Raï music to its intangible cultural heritage list. Popular amongst Algerians, Raï is a style of folk music focused on themes of love, social justice, and freedom. The genre often addresses social taboos and is popular both within Algeria and amongst the North African diaspora. The genre originated in rural areas and developed from forms of spoken poetry that were performed at weddings and during special occasions. In the late 1990s, many Raï singers were murdered, including one of the most famous, Cheb Hasni, who was murdered in Oran in 1994 by Islamic fundamentalist extremists. After the killings, Raï slowed in popularity, but it has seen a resurgence in recent years. Middle East Eye looks back at the history of Raï.

The UNESCO has added reggae music to its list of international cultural treasures worthy of protection and promotion. The UN's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation said: “[Reggae’s] contribution to international discourse on issues of injustice, resistance, love and humanity underscores the dynamics of the element as being at once cerebral, sociopolitical, sensual and spiritual”. Rolling Stone...