Multi-ARIA award-winning Ghanaian-Australian artist, Kofi Owusu-Ansah aka Genesis Owusu today announces his highly anticipated sophomore album, ‘STRUGGLER’ – due for release on August 18 via OURNESS / AWAL. Additionally, he announces a global world tour and shares his newest single, Leaving The Light, out now.
After launching onto the global map with his critically acclaimed debut album, ‘Smiling With No Teeth’, Owusu next steps forth with ‘STRUGGLER’; an imminent exploration of the chaos and absurdity of life, and our ability to endure. Where ‘Smiling With No Teeth’ uncovered the battle against depression and racism, ‘STRUGGLER’ is about how to get through its struggle. The album takes inspiration from a close friend hitting the brink and coming through the other side, in conjunction with prompted questions of life and beauty that Owusu found himself contemplating during readings of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis. Recorded between the US and Australia, the album’s producers traverse musical genres; from Jason Evigan (RUFUS DU SOL, SZA), to Mikey Freedom Hart (Jon Batiste’s 2021 GRAMMY of the Year Album, ‘We Are’), Sol Was (Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’), and original producers, Andrew Klippel and Dave Hammer.
Additionally, Owusu collaborates with globally-celebrated Aotearoa (New Zealand) visual artist, Lisa Reihana, on the album’s complete visual identity. Having been showcased in elite institutions throughout the US and EU, including the Venice Biennale for her critically-acclaimed video installation, In Pursuit of Venus [Infected], Reihana’s work spans a diverse range of mediums. From film, to costume and body adornment, plus video installation, Reihana has rightfully earned a reputation as a world-renowned artist and producer, engaging in thought-provoking dialogues around the concept of culture.
Today, while Owusu tours the US in support of Paramore and Bloc Party, including dates at Madison Square Garden after recently wrapping Groovin the Moo festival, his newest chapter unfolds with the album’s leading single Leaving The Light. A fervent anthem about survival and perseverance, Leaving The Light, sets an urgent tone for the new album. Opening to a spine-crawling run of bass notes, the immediacy hits through Owusu’s feverish verses and echoed shouts. A jolting mix of poetic punk and melodic catharsis, Owusu explores form and rhythm across the new single.
To celebrate the album’s release, Genesis Owusu will be rounding out 2023 with a huge run of headline shows, presented by OURNESS, Astral People and Handsome Tours plus supported by triple j. On December 1, Owusu will take to the Ice Cream Factory in Perth, before heading to Melbourne’s Festival Hall on December 8. The following night, Owusu will perform at the UC Refectory in Canberra, followed by a final set of performances at the Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane on December 14, Hordern Pavilion in Sydney on December 15, and the closing performance December 16 at Adelaide’s Hindley Street Music Hall. Joining Owusu for each show (excluding Perth) will be very special guests, EARTHGANG. Hailing from Atlanta, the acclaimed hip hop duo have been taking the world by storm over the past 12 months; earning GRAMMY nominations of Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Album for their work on Dreamville and J.Cole’s ‘Revenge Of The Dreamers III’, and most recently performing their electrifying live show at Coachella. Coupled with Owusu, the shows are set to be an unmissable, high-energy end to what’s been an already incredible year for both artists.
Today, the dawn of a new era for Genesis Owusu begins, with the new release of Leaving The Light ahead of an impending world tour and the arrival of ‘STRUGGLER’ in August.
STRUGGLER AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
Presented by OURNESS, triple j, Astral People & Handsome Tours
Supported by triple j
with Special Guests EARTHGANG*
Pre-sales open 10am AEST Thursday, May 18
General on-sale opens 10am AEST Friday, May 19
For all ticket information CLICK HERE
Friday 1 December – Ice Cream Factory, Perth WA*
Friday 8 December – Festival Hall, Melbourne VIC
Saturday 9 December – UC Refectory, Canberra ACT
Thursday 14 December – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane QLD
Friday 15 December – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney NSW
Saturday 16 December – Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide SA
*excluding Perth show
LEAVING THE LIGHT IS OUT NOW VIA OURNESS / AWAL
BUY/STREAM HERE
‘STRUGGLER’ IS OUT AUGUST 18 VIA OURNESS / AWAL
PRE-SAVE / PRE-ORDER HERE
With thanks to Thinking Loud
