Multi-ARIA award-winning Ghanaian-Australian artist, Genesis Owusu today releases his newest single and video,“Tied Up!”, taken from his highly anticipated sophomore album, STRUGGLER, arriving August 18 via OURNESS /AWAL. The release also precedes a World Tour, find EU and U.K. dates below.
Premiered on BBC Radio 1’s Hottest Record with Clara Amfo, the album’s magnum opus, “Tied Up!” is defined by a stomping beat and warping guitar line, buttered by Owusu’s forceful vocals that speak to the heart of the album’s mindset; the struggle of getting by in an uneasy world, and holding onto oneself in the process. Produced by Sol Was (Beyoncé’s Renaissance) and Henry Was (Justin Jay, Thumpasaurus), the addictive track lends energetic nods to fan favourites like “Good Times” and “Wit Da Team” rounded out by a pounding, yet meditative, outro; ‘I’m the struggler, ain’t no way to love ya’. Another surefire classic to expect in the Genesis Owusu live repertoire.
Continuing his creative collaboration with globally-celebrated Aotearoa (New Zealand) visual artist, Lisa Reihana, the surreal music video for “Tied Up!” sees Owusu characterised as a boxer, going to battle for himself whilst running from his demons.
Out August 18, STRUGGLER is 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 - references that are explicitly featured in “Tied Up!”. 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, and original producers, Andrew Klippel and Dave Hammer.
STRUGGLER was debuted earlier this year by first single and triple j #1 Most Played track, “Leaving The Light”, which saw international acclaim from Wonderland, NME, DAZED, BBC Radio 1, triple j, Rolling Stone Australia and more. Released amidst a tour supporting Paramore and Bloc Party, Owusu has since performed the single to heated crowds across the US, including two sold-out Madison Square Garden shows.
In the two years since unleashing his highly acclaimed debut album, Smiling With No Teeth, Owusu has taken the record to world stages and burgeoning global fanbases, first completing two sold-out national tours with his his Goon Club and The Black Dog Band respectively, before jetting to the United States for his first ever international tour. Owusu made his U.S. late night television debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, before a 13-date European tour with sold-out stops in London, Dublin, Amsterdam, Berlin’s Berghain and a performance at Barcelona’s Primavera Sound.
Now one of Australia’s most-celebrated contemporary albums, Smiling With No Teeth demonstrated the beginning of Owusu’s profound artistic revolution and soul-bearing expression. The album secured triple j’s Album of the Yearand 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. Following a string of standalone singles in “GTFO” and“Get Inspired” Owusu received further ARIA Award nominations for Best Music Video and Best Independent Release, on top of a further nomination for Best Australian Live Act for Owusu and The Black Dog Band.
As we venture deeper into a new era for one of Australia’s most celebrated artists of the past two years, save the date for STRUGGLER on August 18, and don’t miss the chance to experience his biggest world tour yet this December.
UK / EU TOUR DATES
15 November - Heaven - London, UK
16 November - Cafe De La Danse - Paris, France
17 November - Hole44 - Berlin, Germany
