Joe Buchanan sets Jewish prayers and ideas into country ballads — an unusual combo given the genre's use by Christian bands.

Music rich with South Asian influences is solidifying its popularity worldwide, helping diversify global charts much like Afrobeat, K-pop and Latin music did.

The last time no rap songs lingered in the top 40 slots was the first week of February in 1990, when Biz Markie ’s hit “Just ...