Buzz
It’s widely recognized that American culture is one of the country’s most significant exports. From fashion to movies, American products and entertainment are enjoyed worldwide, with celebrities becoming global icons. Hollywood films rake in billions, and American musicians sell out stadiums on every continent. Unsurprisingly, many American cultural trends are adapted and embraced globally, sometimes with unexpected twists that transform them into something entirely new and quirky.
10. Mexican Gangster Culture Finds a Following in Japan
In cities like East Los Angeles, Mexican-Americans—especially second- and third-generation immigrants—have developed a distinct subculture, often called 'cholo' culture. This subculture is characterized by tattoos, oversized clothing, lowrider cars, and a musical mix of Spanglish and hip-hop. Cholo music, with its deep criminal themes, often glorifies gang life and drug trade, yet it also emphasizes a strong sense of Mexican identity, with the Mexican flag frequently appearing in its fashion.
While cholo rap is mostly limited to Mexican-American communities in the United States, it has surprisingly found an enthusiastic following in Japan. The style has caught on among Japanese youth, who have not only embraced the music but also the distinct fashion and culture associated with it. This wave of popularity owes much to music executive Shin Miyata, who launched the Barrio Gold label in Japan and introduced local audiences to cholo musicians. Today, Japanese artists are blending English, Spanish, and Japanese lyrics in their tracks, and imitating the Chicano fashion style.
9. Heavy Metal in War-Torn Syria
While there’s ongoing debate over whether heavy metal originated in America or Britain, there’s no denying the significant impact of American bands like Aerosmith, Kiss, and Blue Oyster Cult in shaping the genre. With themes of defiance, aggression, and resistance to authority, heavy metal became immensely popular in Europe, especially in Scandinavia.
However, one place where you might least expect to find it is war-torn Syria. In 2014, a local Syrian metal fan created a documentary that explored the heavy metal scene in the country. Long before the civil war, metal culture in Syria was strictly underground, seen as subversive and met with hostility from conservative Muslim groups. In 2009, Syrian authorities even arrested metal musician Bashar Haroun for allegedly promoting “devil worship.”
Since the onset of the war, the metal scene in Syria has struggled to survive as the venues where metalheads once gathered have been damaged or destroyed. While the Assad regime has never been supportive of the scene, the Islamist Syrian rebels have taken it a step further by instituting official bans on any music that isn’t Islamic.
8. Raggare: The Swedish Rockabilly Culture that Celebrates the American South
Sweden is globally seen as a progressive, tolerant nation that champions multiculturalism, with a culture generally known for its civility and politeness. It’s hard to imagine that, amidst this reputation, you’d find groups of people gathered in vintage 1950s cars adorned with oversized rims and Confederate flags, indulging in excessive drinking while blasting country music.
Raggare is a subculture that revolves around a passion for classic American cars. Enthusiasts gather in rural areas to throw massive tailgate parties, dressed in vintage clothing. Country, rock-and-roll, and rockabilly tunes are played loudly, beer flows freely, and, on occasion, fights break out. The Confederate flag, though controversial, is seen as a powerful symbol of rebellion within the raggare community. At its core, raggare is about rejecting the rigid norms of Swedish society and embracing a freer, more rebellious spirit.
7. Emo Kids Face Brutal Persecution in Iraq
In Western countries, emo kids often face a lot of criticism. This subculture, built around themes of sadness and emotional turmoil, is mostly found among white suburban youth. Emo kids are known for their dark clothing, tight jeans, spiky hair, and makeup, which they wear to express their struggles. Their challenges might range from breakups and school stress to deeper issues like depression and a sense of social exclusion.
In Iraq, emo culture has gained a following, though its adherents face harsh opposition. Iraqi emos adopt the music and fashion typical of the subculture, but their expression is heavily suppressed in the country’s conservative Islamic society. In 2012, Shiite militant groups in Baghdad led a violent campaign targeting emo teens, threatening death unless they abandoned the style. At least 14 young people were stoned to death, although the campaign was condemned by many religious leaders.
6. Moscow Is Overrun with Hipsters
Like pornography, defining what a hipster is can be elusive, yet you know one when you spot them. Over the past decade, hipsters have become a prominent subculture in American cities, made up of individuals who resist being categorized. They may not agree on their taste in fashion, music, or literature, but they share a common belief that mainstream trends are utterly uninspiring.
Some may believe that hipster culture can only thrive in affluent and open-minded places like America and Western Europe, where ironic detachment and intellectual rebellion are embraced as life philosophies. But even in authoritarian Russia, where it seems unlikely, there’s room for the demisexual, ovo-lacto-pescatarian writer-barista types. And yet, they exist. Like their American counterparts, Russian hipsters can’t be defined by their preferences, but rather by their rejection of things like politics, mainstream music, America, Russia, consumerism, the 9-to-5 grind, and shaving.
In cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russian hipsters are just as prevalent, with young people in skinny jeans strumming ukuleles in the park. Still, it's hard to imagine a Russian version of Portlandia becoming a hit.
5. Motorcycle Gangs and Metalheads Roam the African Plains
Motorcycle gangs first emerged in the post-WWII United States, where wide-open roads and the spirit of the Wild West were part of the national identity. Many war veterans sought an escape from the monotony of civilian life and formed local motorcycle clubs, riding together in large groups. While the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) remains the largest, many bikers rejected its rigid structure and formed “outlaw” gangs, with their own rules reflecting the local culture and spirit of independence.
Biker gangs are well-known for their patch-adorned leather jackets, wild parties, and tough personas. Heavy metal is typically their preferred genre of music. Though many biker gangs are generally friendly, some have been associated with drug trafficking, criminal behavior, and white supremacy. The biker subculture spread to Europe, Australia, and South Africa, where it became especially popular among white South Africans who wholeheartedly embraced apartheid-era beliefs.
In present-day South Africa, a country that has undergone significant transformation, biker gangs and heavy metal music are now booming among the black community. The Sowetan Eagles, a black biker gang, are at the forefront of efforts to eliminate racial divides within South African biker culture, a space once dominated by apartheid-era racism. Metal music is also expanding in neighboring Botswana, with fans adopting the leather-clad biker aesthetic and embracing the loud, rebellious energy of the genre.
4. Indonesia: The Last Bastion of Punk
The punk rock movement took over 1970s America, quickly becoming the emblem of counterculture. Everyone wanted to be part of punk, from staunch political anarchists to rebellious Christians, drug-dealing bikers, and young people simply seeking an excuse to party. By the dawn of the new millennium, the term ‘punk’ had started to feel outdated in the West, and those who still identified as punks were often seen as nostalgic or irrelevant. Modern American bands rarely use the ‘punk rock’ label anymore.
In Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, punk culture is still thriving, both musically and culturally. Punk bands in Jakarta can often be found in local bars or hanging out under overpasses. Bands like Marjinal go beyond just music, offering food, shelter, music lessons, and even classes on cigarette-rolling for street kids.
3. Newcastle: The European Equivalent of Jersey Shore
Jersey Shore was an iconic American TV show, bringing the world into the chaotic lives of a group of party-loving 20-somethings. While young people all over the globe enjoy partying and sometimes making spectacles of themselves, Jersey Shore was groundbreaking in linking the stars' ‘Guido’ lifestyle to a specific place on the map.
In response to this, MTV UK launched Geordie Shore, a reality series that mirrors the formula of the original show but is based in Newcastle upon Tyne, a city in northeast England. Once an industrial powerhouse, Newcastle is renowned for its working-class roots and distinctive Geordie accent. The cast of Geordie Shore doesn’t just adopt the reckless partying habits of their American counterparts; they also share a unique style of dress and an obsession with tattoos. Like the original, the show became infamous in the UK, though many locals are displeased with the negative reputation it has given their city.
2. Japanese People Who Aspire to Black Culture
It comes as no surprise that Japan features three times on this list. The cultural exchange between America and Japan has been strong for many years, with influences flowing both ways. The presence of anime clubs in Japan proves how American teens have long admired Japanese culture, while a similar trend can be seen in Japan where some desire to connect with black culture.
Many American subcultures have gained popularity in Japan. One such group is the 'B-style' community, a blend of ‘black’ and ‘lifestyle,’ which revolves around a passion for hip-hop, gangster rap, and African-American culture. Followers of this movement often adopt the fashion choices of rappers, such as baggy clothes, jewelry, and tattoos. Some go so far as to darken their skin through excessive tanning and visit salons for hair treatments like curling or braiding into cornrows. American rappers boast large fan bases in Japan, and Japanese-language rap is gaining traction.
1. Cowboys Along the Congo River
Few figures embody American culture as much as the cowboy. He stands for rugged independence, adventure, and a relentless will to overcome obstacles. In the mid-1900s, as movies became increasingly influential, cowboy Westerns became a staple in theaters across America and beyond. This cinematic boom sparked a renewed fascination with all things cowboy, but it wasn’t just in the U.S. where this interest thrived.
In the Belgian Congo, an impoverished nation still under the control of its European masters, urban black residents living in segregated areas with limited opportunities began flocking to makeshift movie theaters to watch American Westerns like Buffalo Bill. A new subculture was born. Young men started calling themselves “Bills,” after the most iconic movie character of the era. They adopted the cowboy look, donning signature hats, boots, and plaid shirts.
The culture was undoubtedly centered around a deep admiration for the films they adored. However, it also conveyed a powerful anti-colonial message. Cowboy culture symbolized violence, individualism, and self-reliance—values that directly challenged imperialist ideologies of racial and economic subjugation. Some scholars suggest that the widespread popularity of Western films in the Congo played a significant role in inspiring the intense and often violent resistance that ultimately led to the country's independence in 1960.
