Genesis Owusu

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Genesis Owusu
Birth nameKofi Owusu-Ansah
Born (1998-04-17) 17 April 1998 (age 23)
Koforidua, Ghana
OriginCanberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2015–present
Associated acts
Websitegenesisowusu.com

Kofi Owusu-Ansah (born 1998 Ghana), known by his stage name Genesis Owusu, is a Ghanaian-Australian singer from Canberra. He is the younger brother of fellow hip hop rapper, Kojo Owusu-Ansah p.k.a. Citizen Kay. Owusu's debut studio album, Smiling with No Teeth (March 2021), reached the ARIA Albums Chart top 30. At the 2021 ARIA Music Awards he won four trophies for Album of the Year, Best Hip Hop Release, Best Independent Release and Best Cover Art (latter shared with Bailey Howard).

Early years[]

Genesis Owusu was born as Kofi Owusu-Ansah on 17 August 1998 in Koforidua, Ghana.[2]) His older brother, Kojo (born ca. 1994), is also a rapper who performs as Citizen Kay.[3] The family migrated to Canberra, Australia in 2000.[4][5] He was dubbed "Genesis" by Kojo in primary school, who told his friends that his younger brother is Kofi: "his friends were like 'oh, what's your brother's name?' and he said 'Coffee' and they just didn't believe him, for whatever reason. So he just apparently made Genesis up on the spot, and since then it's just stuck."[6] Owusu completed a Bachelor of Journalism at the University of Canberra in 2018.[6][7] He designs and makes his own clothes and started a fashion line, Pur.[6]

Career[]

2015–2019: Career beginnings and Cardrive[]

Owusu is featured on his older brother, Citizen Kay's album track, "Family Ties", from With the People (October 2015).[8][9] Kay explained, "[it] is a song about the appreciation of my family and how they've played parts in who I am, both as a person and as a writer/artist. It seemed fitting to get fellow rapping family members on the verses."[8] The pair performed and recorded as the Ansah Brothers and in 2015 released an extended play, Polaroid.[10]

Fellow Canberra rapper Kirklandd issued a four-track EP, The Visions Minitape (September 2016), which featured Owusu on the track,[11] "We On", which was issued by Kirklandd as a single in August of that year.[12] Owusu's seven-track debut EP, Cardrive, was issued in June 2017.[13] It was described by BMA Magazine's Matt Parnell, "the throaty, deep voice, the swagger-infused flow and menacing, jazzy beats give each track a distinctive flavour. Additionally, the polished sound and confidence with which each tune is presented gives the sound an experienced feeling that belies the age of the artist."[13] The single, "Sideways", followed in September and includes lyrics in the Ghanaian dialect, Twi.[6] It received national exposure on youth radio, Triple J and toured Australia's east coast to promote it.[14] i-D's Isabelle Hellyer felt, "Where [Owusu's] older work would flit between jazz and hip hop, 'Sideways' synthesises both genres into sound of his own."[14]

The singer rejected the archetypical objectification of women by hip hop artists with his second single, "Awomen Amen" (2018), and explained, "As a rapper, I never used to hear those kinds of messages... it was something that always bothered me."[7] He released a double A-sided single, "WUTD"/"Vultures" early in 2019, which Caitlin Medcalf of Purple Sneakers reviewed, "[WUTD is] a smooth, RnB track I guarantee will never get out of your head and, 'Vultures', a wavy rap journey... [his] vocals match the mood with a drawling vocal melody and a light flow that never once feels sharp, but simply goes with the flow."[15] On 3 July 2019 Owusu performed as an opening act at 5 Seconds of Summer's sold-out benefit concert in Sydney.[16] "WUTD" was featured on an ad for Bose noise-cancelling headphones in October 2019.[17]

2020–present: Smiling with No Teeth[]

Main article: Smiling with No Teeth

Owusu's debut studio album, Smiling with No Teeth, was released on 5 March 2021. The album peaked at number 27 on the ARIA charts. In July, a deluxe version was released titled Missing Molars (SWNT Deluxe).[18]

Backing band members[]

Current members[19]

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

List of studio albums, with release date and label shown
Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
[20]
Smiling with No Teeth 27

Extended plays[]

List of EPs, with release date and label shown
Title EP details
Cardrive EP
  • Released: 16 June 2017[23]
  • Label: Ourness
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Missing Molars (SWNT Deluxe)
  • Released: 13 July 2021[24]
  • Label: Ourness
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles[]

As lead artist[]

List of singles, with year released and album name shown
Title Year Album
"Sideways"[25] 2017 Non-album singles
"Awomen Amen"[26] 2018
"Wit' da Team"[27]
"WUTD" / "Vultures"[28] 2019
"Good Times" / "Simmer Down"[29]
"Don't Need You"[30] 2020 Smiling with No Teeth
"Whip Cracker"[31]
"I Am"[32] Non-album single
"The Other Black Dog"[33] Smiling with No Teeth
"Gold Chains"[34] 2021
"Drown"
(featuring Kirin J Callinan)[35]
"Same Thing"[36] Missing Molars (SWNT Deluxe)
"The Fall"[18]

As featured artist[]

Title Year Album
"We On"
(Kirklandd featuring Genesis Owusu)[37] 		2016 Non-album single
"Unwritten Laws"
(Maina Doe featuring Genesis Owusu)[38] 		2019
"Funny Business"
(Citizen Kay featuring Genesis Owusu)[39] 		2020
"Coliseum"
(Tim Shiel featuring Genesis Owusu)[40]
"Dream No More"
( featuring Ruel and Genesis Owusu)[41] 		2021 This Is What's Important
"Back Seat"
(Anna Lunoe featuring Genesis Owusu)[42] 		TBA

Awards and nominations[]

ARIA Music Awards[]

The ARIA Music Awards ieights an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. Owusu has won four awards from nine nominations.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 "WUTD" / "Vultures" Best Soul/R&B Release Nominated [43]
2020 "Don't Need You" Nominated [44]
2021 Smiling with No Teeth Album of the Year Won [45]
Best Artist Nominated
Best Hip Hop Release Won
Best Independent Release Won
Smiling With No Teeth Album Tour Best Australian Live Act Nominated
Andrew Klippel, Dave Hammer for Genesis Owusu – Smiling with No Teeth Producer of the Year Nominated
Kofi Anash & Bailey Howard for Genesis Owusu – Smiling with No Teeth Best Cover Art Won

J Awards[]

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 Smiling with No Teeth Australian Album of the Year Won [46]
"The Other Black Dog" (directed by Riley Blakeway) Australian Video of the Year Won

National Live Music Awards[]

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Himself Live Hip Hop Act of the Year Nominated [47][48]
2018 Nominated [49][50]
2019 Nominated [51]
ACT Live Voice of the Year Won [52]
2020 Live Act of the Year Nominated [53]

References[]

  1. ^ https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/genesis-owusu-smiling-with-no-teeth-review-2894755[bare URL]
  2. ^ Martin, Josh (27 January 2021). "Genesis Owusu: 'I'd rather be a legend on my own little island than compete for a throne'". NME. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  3. ^ Bloul, Scherry (12 August 2015), "Rapper Genesis Owusu hits right beat to make Triple j Unearthed High top five", The Canberra Times
  4. ^ Buckley, Nick (1 March 2019), "Genesis Owusu: Black, Red, White and Rap", Broadsheet
  5. ^ Newstead, Al (15 March 2019), First Spin: Genesis Owusu's 'WUTD' & 'Vultures', a tasty double dip of hip hop fusion, Triple J
  6. ^ a b c d Sharma, Geeta (20 February 2018). "A warm cup of Kofi: meeting Genesis Owusu". Curieux Magazine. Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ a b Streader, Kate (2018). "For rapper Genesis Owusu, the personal is political". Beat Magazine. Archived from the original on 19 March 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ a b Fuamoli, Sosefina (15 October 2015). "Citizen Kay takes us through new album With The People track-by-track!". The AU Review.
  9. ^ Citizen Kay (2015), With the People, Asphalt Records, retrieved 25 November 2021
  10. ^ Parnell, Matt (28 February 2018). "Renaissance Men: The Ansah Brothers Answer the Call". BMA Magazine. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ staff writer (21 September 2016). "Premiere: Kirklandd – The Visions Minitape". theMusic.com.au. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "Hip Hop :: Kirklandd – 'We On (feat. Genesis Owusu)' – Internet Download". Amrap's AirIt. 2018. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ a b Parnell, Matt (13 July 2017). "Genesis Owusu – Cardrive EP". BMA Magazine. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ^ a b Hellyer, Isabelle (27 October 2017). "genesis owusu: rapper, meme admin, aspiring stock photo model". I-D. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  15. ^ Medcalf, Caitlin (March 2019). "Missed Calls: Genesis Owusu, Leftprojects & more". Purple Sneakers. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ^ "5 Seconds of Summer to Play Special Benefit Gig in Sydney". The Music. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  17. ^ Bose & Alexa - Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 | Haircut
  18. ^ a b Triscari, Caleb (14 July 2021). "Genesis Owusu releases Smiling With No Teeth deluxe album". NME Australia. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  19. ^ Newstead, Al (23 November 2020). "First Spin: Genesis Owusu gears up for debut album with 'The Other Black Dog'". Triple J. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  20. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  21. ^ Dale, Jessica; Wall, Sam (21 January 2020). "We've got a big year ahead of us - These are the albums that will define 2021". The Music. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  22. ^ "Smiling with No Teeth by Genesis Owusu on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  23. ^ "Cardrive EP by Genesis Owusu on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  24. ^ "Missing Molars (SWNT Deluxe) by Genesis Owusu on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  25. ^ "Sideways – Single by Genesis Owusu on Apple Music". Apple Music. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  26. ^ "Awomen Amen – Single by Genesis Owusu on Apple Music". Apple Music. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  27. ^ "Wit' da Team – Single by Genesis Owusu on Apple Music". Apple Music. 12 November 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  28. ^ "WUTD / Vultures – Single by Genesis Owusu on Apple Music". Apple Music. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  29. ^ "Good Times / Simmer Down – Single by Genesis Owusu on Apple Music". Apple Music. 23 August 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  30. ^ "Don't Need You – Single by Genesis Owusu on Apple Music". Apple Music. 15 May 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  31. ^ "Whip Cracker – Single by Genesis Owusu on Apple Music". Apple Music. 6 June 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  32. ^ "I Am – Single by Genesis Owusu on Apple Music". Apple Music. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  33. ^ "The Other Black Dog – Single by Genesis Owusu on Apple Music". Apple Music. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  34. ^ "Gold Chains – Single by Genesis Owusu on Apple Music". Apple Music. 19 February 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  35. ^ "Drown – Single by Genesis Owusu on Apple Music". Apple Music. 3 March 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  36. ^ "Same Thing – Single by Genesis Owusu on Apple Music". Apple Music. 2 June 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  37. ^ "We On (feat. Genesis Owusu) – Single by Kirklandd on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  38. ^ "Unwritten Laws (feat. Genesis Owusu) – Single by Maina Doe on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  39. ^ "Funny Business (feat. Genesis Owusu) – Single by Citizen Kay on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  40. ^ "Coliseum (feat. Genesis Owusu) – Single by Tim Shiel on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  41. ^ Brereton, Greta (25 February 2021). "Listen to Billy Davis, Ruel and Genesis Owusu team up on new single "Dream No More"". NME Australia. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  42. ^ Triscari, Caleb (12 October 2021). "Genesis Owusu joins Anna Lunoe on new house-tinged single "Back Seat"". NME Australia. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  43. ^ Brandle, Lars (10 October 2019). "Tones And I leads 2019 ARIA Awards nominations". Billboard. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  44. ^ "And the 2020 ARIA Awards go to..." Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  45. ^ Kelly, Vivienne (20 October 2021). "ARIA Awards nominees revealed: Amy Shark & Genesis Owusu lead the charge". The Music Network. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  46. ^ "Genesis Owusu leads this year's 2021 J Awards winners". Triple J. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  47. ^ "NLMA reveal 2017 Nominees". National Live Music Awards. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  48. ^ "Winners 2017". National Live Music Awards. December 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  49. ^ "NLMA announce 2018 nominees and Live Legend". National Live Music Awards. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  50. ^ "Winners of the 2018 NLMA". National Live Music Awards. December 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  51. ^ "Here are your 2019 National Live Music Awards nominees!". National Live Music Awards. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  52. ^ "And the winners of the 2019 National Live Music Awards are..." National Live Music Awards. 5 December 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  53. ^ "Nominees announced for 2020 National Live Music Awards". National Live Music Awards. 7 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
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