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“Left side to the right side, front side to the back. We’re all in the shit together, my loves. Docile and languid for what? Shake the fucking ground. Be heeded and not herded. Scream to make the world a better place.” – Genesis Owusu
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(Friday 20 February) – Ghanaian-Australian artist Genesis Owusu today unveils new single and video, “STAMPEDE”, out via OURNESS.
An aural stampede in itself, Owusu expands the resolute sentiments laid bare on predecessors “PIRATE RADIO” and “DEATH CULT ZOMBIE”. On “STAMPEDE”, he recognises the power of community and using one’s voice as the ultimate form of rebellion in a world where humanity is ripping at the seams. Echoing synth clangs are abrasive enough to stir us awake, while an unrelenting drumming stomp sends the feet and mind marching into action. The track’s sonic urgency unravels in a melodic chorus, fusing its rousing pace with a synth-punk direction. Befitting the weight of Owusu’s frustrated words throughout are the vocals that carry them, strident and formidable in their rally cry against this worldwide scourge.
Directed by Isaac Brown and filmed in the streets and surrounds of Accra in Ghana. Owusu’s words come to life as his army of rebels mobilise on motorcycles and horseback around him, the visual energy equally the track’s fervour.
“This whole project is about humanity and community, not just in Australia, where I live, but globally. It felt nourishing to go back to my home country (Ghana) for the first time in 11 years and showcase a bit of the culture there; the youth and the deep subcultures, far beyond the perceptions a lot of people may have of Africa”, says Owusu.
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Genesis Owusu returned last year with single “PIRATE RADIO”, which topped triple j’s Most Played for multiple consecutive days and saw international love from BBC Radio 1, KCRW, KEXP, SiriusXMU and more, before dropping “DEATH CULT ZOMBIE” with a Zane Lowe Global Premiere, support from BBC 6 Music and nods from Anthony Fantano (The Needle Drop) citing: “Genesis Owusu is killing it…This one goes hard as hell”.
As “STAMPEDE” prophets, prioritising community has never been more powerful, or more necessary, something Owusu is actively spurning into practice. “Left side to the right side, front side to the back,” he says in his latest offering, “we’re all in this together. And there’s a real problem. There are people who have expansive amounts of money, who are intentionally acting to separate us so they can keep getting richer at the expense of general human wellbeing. We’re all under that same thumb and we need to realise that”. From sharing unreleased work in the space of fans’ homes to connecting with the faces on the other side of the streams over a game of UNO, Owusu creates space for people to come together, around common ground rather than division.
A string of wildly lauded live residencies in Sydney and Melbourne previewed his new music within an intimate, 360-degree stage set up, where the crowd were part of the performance. Rolling Stone Australia wrote “the charismatic Owusu tells us we’re part of his community and “active participants” in tonight’s performance, he already has the fully locked-in crowd in the palm of his hand”, while Sydney Morning Herald hailed the show with five stars, proclaiming: “He owns and masters every step of the musical journey, unifying styles with his commanding voice, mesmeric movement and superstar presence …one of the year’s great live shows”. |
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Owusu’s resolute 2021 debut Smiling With No Teeth, was a cultural reset, a fearless exploration of identity, experimenting with funk, punk and rap that earned acclaim from The Guardian, Rolling Stone, NME and more. 2023 saw the release of his sophomore album STRUGGLER, a bold concept record that continued to see his artistry evolve and push the boundaries of style and genre, debuting at #4 on the ARIA Album Chart and receiving praise from Paste, NPR, Billboard and Alternative Press. Both commercial and critical successes in their own rights, these bodies of work secured a combined 7x ARIAAwards – including two Album of the Yeartitles – while come 2024, acclaimed standalone singles “Good Times” and “WUTD” also earned two gold plaques in Australia.
Having shared stages with Tame Impala, Paramore, IDLES and Bloc Party to name a few, plus appearing at some of the world’s most iconic festivals and venues, including Lollapalooza, Primavera Sound, Austin City Limits, Mad Cool and Boston Calling, Owusu’s international impact only continues to strengthen. Between US and European headline runs, he has dominated the Australian festival scene playing some of the biggest stages at Splendour in the Grass, Meredith Music Festival, Field Day, VIVID Sydney, Groovin The Moo, Spilt Milk and HarvestRock, as well as national headline runs and sold-out performances at Sydney Opera House’s Concert Hall with Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Owusu continues to craft a bold, unwavering state-of-the-day message through the lens of an artist wading through the darkness and finding his place in it all. Listen to his fiercest call to action yet, “STAMPEDE” today.
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