Multi-ARIA award-winning, Ghanaian-
In support of his incredible sophomore release, Genesis Owusu will round out 2023 with a huge run of national headline shows, which started on Friday in Perth. He will be joined by The Black Dog Band (consisting of Australian musical icons, Kirin J Callinan, Touch Sensitive, and Tim Commandeur) and very special guests, EARTHGANG (excluding Perth) and Elsy Wameyo. The tour is presented by Ourness, Astral People and Handsome Tours and supported by triple j. Tickets are flying out the door – don’t miss your spot at Owusu’s biggest performances yet.
After collaborating on ‘STRUGGLER’’s complete visual identity, globally-celebrated Aotearoa/New Zealand multidisciplinary artist, Lisa Reihana returns to direct the accompanying video for Survivor. 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. A visual spectacle, Reihana’s artistic vision transpires a post-apocalyptic universe of fire and industrialism, replete with choreographed dancers centred on the imminent and commanding figure, Genesis Owusu. The song itself opens to a bold and blaring percussive arrangement as Owusu’s verses dart and duck between the arrangement’s rhythm, at lightning speed.
Owusu says on the release: “THE STORY NEVER ENDS, THE ROACH KEEPS ROACHING. THROUGH SPACE, TIME, FIRE & BRIMSTONE.”
Released to the world with rapturous effect earlier this year, ‘STRUGGLER’ has already swept up Album of the Year, Best Independent Release and Best Hip Hop / Rap Release at the 2023 ARIA Awards, with Owusu dominating nominations. The record was spotlit as triple j’s Feature Album and saw Owusu take home the station’s 2023 J Award for Australian Live Act of the Year.
Recorded between the US and Australia, ‘STRUGGLER’ is an 12 track narrative journey which Owusu simply states is “a story about a Roach, that runs and runs, trying not to get stepped on by God.” Steeped in mystery and metaphor, the story is a celebration of the inspiring stubbornness of the human will to survive. “Through pandemics, bushfires and wars, we’re still going to find a way to make it to tomorrow, and I think that’s beautiful,” says Owusu.
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), Psymun (Jean Dawson, Yves Tumor), and original producers, Dave Hammer and Andrew Klippel, who captain the production when it comes to tracks created with Owusu’s acclaimed Black Dog Band.
The burning star that is Genesis Owusu burst onto the global stage upon release of his debut album, ‘Smiling With No Teeth’ in March 2021. The album secured triple j’s Album of the Year and x4 ARIA award titles, including Album of the Year, Best Hip Hop Release, Best Independent Release and Best Cover Art, alongside radio support from triple j and BBC Radio, and global acclaim from tastemakers and critics alike, including The Needle Drop, NME, Line of Best Fit, The Guardian, Teen Vogue, Rolling Stone, The Australian, ICON and many more. Owusu additionally saw his album track, Gold Chains included in President Obama’s Favourite Music of 2021. Next, Owusu jetted overseas for his first ever international tours in the US, Europe and the UK, performances at Berlin’s Berghain, Barcelona’s Primavera Sound, Lollapalooza, support slots for Thundercat, Khuranghbin, and Glass Animals, as well as making his U.S. late night television debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Owusu closed out 2022 supporting Tame Impala and further festival appearances at Spilt Milk, Lost Paradise and Falls Festival. He resumed in 2023 with a two-city performance series, Red Bull Symphonic, which saw him perform to a sold out Sydney Opera House, a US tour support slot for Paramore and Bloc Party, including dates at Madison Square Garden, as well as Groovin the Moo festival back home.
In honour of Genesis Owusu bringing his biggest show yet back home, enjoy a surprise release in Survivor. Secure your spot to see the multi ARIA Award-winning sensation live and in the flesh, on the ‘STRUGGLER’ Australian Tour!
WATCH SURVIVOR HERE
BUY/STREAM HERE
‘STRUGGLER’ IS OUT NOW VIA OURNESS / AWAL
BUY/STREAM HERE
‘STRUGGLER’ AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
Presented by OURNESS, triple j, Astral People & Handsome Tours
Supported by triple j
with Special Guests EARTHGANG*
Friday, 1 December 2023 – Ice Cream Factory, Perth WA
Friday, 8 December 2023 – Festival Hall, Melbourne VIC
Saturday, 9 December 2023 – UC Refectory, Canberra ACT
Thursday, 14 December 2023 – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane QLD
Friday, 15 December 2023 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney NSW
Saturday, 16 December 2023 – Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide SA
Thanks to Thinking Loud
