As the dominant sound of the streets of Dar es Salaam since the ’90s, Bongo Flava has become a melange of culture and identity in Tanzania and throughout East Africa. Fusing western modes of R&B and hip-hop with dancehall Afrobeats and traditional Taarab and Dansi sounds, Bongo Flava—which takes its name from the ubongo, a Swahili word meaning “brain,” and a nickname for Dar es Salaam and Tanzania as a whole—is an upbeat, socially aware vehicle of expression for a young and fearless generation. Our editors update this playlist regularly, so if you hear something you like, add it to your library.