Genesis Owusu

Biography

Kofi Owusu-Ansah, known professionally as Genesis Owusu, was born on April 17, 1998, in Koforidua, Ghana, and moved to Canberra, Australia, at the age of two with his family, becoming part of the only Black family in their predominantly white neighborhood. Growing up as an outsider, he faced racism at school, which shaped his worldview and drew him to Black expression through writers like Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes, musicians such as Erykah Badu and Gil Scott-Heron, and rappers including Lupe Fiasco and MF Doom. His musical journey began around age 11 when his older brother Kojo (Citizen Kay) introduced him to hip-hop production; they formed the Ansah Brothers duo in 2013, gigging locally by age 14 and releasing the 2017 EP 'Cardrive,' largely produced by Kojo in their bedroom.

Transitioning to a solo career in 2015, Owusu released singles like 'WUTD' and 'Good Times' in 2019, gaining recognition as a Triple J Unearthed High finalist and earning ARIA nominations. His breakthrough came with the 2021 debut album 'Smiling With No Teeth,' recorded with a live band including manager Andrew Klippel on keys, blending 80s rock, synth-funk, punk, and rap to explore themes of depression (the 'Black Dog') and racial slurs from his youth. The album swept the 2021 ARIA Awards, winning Album of the Year (first for a Black hip-hop artist), Best Hip Hop Release, Best Independent Release, and Best Cover Art, alongside the Australian Music Prize and Triple J's Australian Album of the Year. He followed with orchestral performances, including at the Sydney Opera House in 2023, and released his second album 'STRUGGLER' around 2024.

Owusu's style fuses soul, funk, rap, and pop into a celebratory yet introspective sound, marked by narrative-driven lyrics and genre experimentation. His career has expanded internationally with tours in Australia, the US, and Europe, solidifying his status as a groundbreaking voice for Black and alternative artists in Australia, with over 60 hours of material recorded for his debut alone.

Fun Facts

• At age 14, he was part of a dance crew called 'The Avengers,' each member adopting a dancing superhero persona.
• He recorded 60 hours of music for 'Smiling With No Teeth,' selecting tracks to form a specific narrative, with leftovers like 'Same Thing' released later.
• Genesis Owusu was the first artist to win all three of Australia's top music prizes in 2021: ARIA Album of the Year, Australian Music Prize, and Triple J's Australian Album of the Year.
• His debut album 'Smiling With No Teeth' uses the dual meaning of 'the Black Dog'—a term for depression and a racial slur he encountered growing up—to explore personal and racial themes.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Maya Angelou - literary inspiration from Black writers discovered in youth (various writings) [childhood/teens]
• Langston Hughes - literary inspiration from Black writers discovered in youth (various writings) [childhood/teens]
• Erykah Badu - musical inspiration in Black expression (various albums) [childhood/teens]
• Gil Scott-Heron - musical inspiration in Black expression (various works) [childhood/teens]
• Lupe Fiasco - rap influence (various albums) [childhood/teens]
• MF Doom - rap influence (various albums) [childhood/teens]

Key Collaborators

• Citizen Kay (Kojo Owusu-Ansah) - older brother and duo partner in Ansah Brothers; producer (Ansah Brothers releases including 2017 EP 'Cardrive') [2013-2017]
• Andrew Klippel - manager who assembled live band and played keys ('Smiling With No Teeth' (2021)) [2020-2021]

External Links

• Spotify