Biography
Nu Genea is an Italian electronic music duo formed in 2014 in Naples, consisting of producers and musicians Massimo Di Lena and Lucio Aquilina. Originally based between Naples and Berlin, the duo first performed and released music under the name Nu Guinea before adopting the name Nu Genea in 2021, inspired by the Greek word genea meaning “birth” or “generation,” reflecting a renewed artistic identity and sound.
Their music blends a wide range of influences, including disco, jazz-funk, electronic music, Afrobeat, and Mediterranean rhythms, often incorporating vintage instrumentation with modern production techniques. A defining feature of their style is their connection to Naples and Southern Italian musical heritage, frequently using Neapolitan dialect vocals and regional sonic textures.
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Nu Genea first gained international recognition with projects released as Nu Guinea, including collaborations such as The Tony Allen Experiments (2016), created with legendary Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen. Their 2018 album Nuova Napoli became a breakthrough release, widely praised for its warm, nostalgic reinterpretation of 1970s Neapolitan funk and disco.
After rebranding as Nu Genea, the duo continued to expand their sound with releases such as Bar Mediterraneo (2022), which further explored global influences while maintaining their signature Mediterranean groove. Tracks like Marechià helped solidify their reputation as one of Europe’s most distinctive contemporary disco and electronic acts.
Today, Nu Genea are known for their danceable yet organic sound, combining analogue textures, rhythmic experimentation, and multicultural influences into a style often described as “Mediterranean groove.”
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.