Sub-Saharan African music is characterised by a "strong rhythmic interest" that exhibits common characteristics in all regions of this vast territory, so that
Arthur Morris Jones (1889–1980) has described the many local approaches as constituting
one main system. C. K. Ladzekpo also affirms the
profound homogeneity of approach. West African rhythmic techniques carried over the Atlantic were fundamental ingredients in various musical styles of the Americas:
samba,
forró,
maracatu and
coco in Brazil, Afro-Cuban music and Afro-American musical genres such as
blues,
jazz,
rhythm & blues,
funk,
soul,
reggae,
hip hop, and
rock and roll were thereby of immense importance in 20th century popular music. The drum is renowned throughout Africa.