First Gen: USA

African musical traditions have echoed throughout American music for generations, with elements of African music impacting virtually every genre and reflecting universally understood stories. Whether through conscious messaging or timeless instrumentation, the work of African legends like Fela Kuti continues to inspire artists across the genre spectrum, and African sounds gain new life through samples, references and fresh compositions alike. First Gen celebrates contemporary artists in the African diaspora who bridge cultures—and reflects the experience of code-switching between multiple identities. Here you’ll find tracks from a collection of artists for whom the art of balancing their African and American identities isn’t a gimmick, it’s second nature—including Wale, Tobe Nwigwe, DJ Tunez, Rotimi, Mereba and more. Hear something you like? Add it to your library.