Genesis Owusu

Kofi Owusu-Ansah (born 1998), known professionally as Genesis Owusu, is a Ghanaian-Australian rapper and singer from Canberra. He is the younger brother of fellow hip hop rapper 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). He released a critically acclaimed follow-up, Struggler, in 2023. Genesis Owusu's third studio album, Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge, was released in 2026.

Early life and education Genesis Owusu was born Kofi Owusu-Ansah in 1998 in Koforidua, Ghana. His older brother, Kojo (born ca. 1994), is also a rapper who performs as Citizen Kay. The family migrated to Canberra, Australia in 2000.

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."

Career

2015–2019: Career beginnings and Cardrive

Musician Citizen Kay is Owusu's older brother, and he decided to feature his younger brother, among other relatives, on "Family Ties", a track on his album With the People (October 2015). Kay explained that "Family Ties" … 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. Fellow Canberra rapper Kirklandd took notice and wanted the younger Owusu on his track "We On", which was first issued as a single in August 2016 and then appeared on Kirklandd's September 2016 four-track EP, The Visions Minitape.

From these experiences, Owusu gained confidence, connections, and fans enough to encourage him to try a solo career. In June 2017, he released his seven-track debut EP, Cardrive. BMA Magazines Matt Parnell wrote that 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. Of "Sideways", i-Ds Isabelle Hellyer wrote Where [Owusu's] older work would flit between jazz and hip hop, 'Sideways' synthesises both genres into sound of his own. On 3 July 2019 Owusu performed as an opening act at 5 Seconds of Summer's sold-out benefit concert in Sydney. "WUTD" was featured on an ad for Bose noise-cancelling headphones in October 2019.

2020–2021: 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). The album went on to win several awards, including ARIA Award for Album of the Year and Australian Music Prize.

2022–2024: "GTFO" and Struggler

On 20 July 2022, Owusu released "GTFO", alongside its Rhett Wade-Ferrell directed video. It is Owusu's first single of 2022.

On 19 May 2023, Owusu released "Leaving the Light", the lead single from his second studio album, Struggler, which was released on 18 August 2023.

2025–present: Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge

In September 2025, Owusu released the anti-capitalist single "Pirate Radio". His third studio album, Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge, was released on 15 May 2026.

Backing band members , Owusu's backing band members were: Kirin J. Callinan – guitar Touch Sensitive (Michael Di Francesco) – bass guitar Julian Sudek – drums Andrew Klippel – keyboard Jonti – guitar, keyboard

Personal life Owusu designs and makes his own clothes and started a fashion line, Pur.

Awards and nominations AIR Awards The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Independent Album of the Year

Best Independent Hip Hop Album or EP "Smiling with No Teeth"

"Get Inspired"

Thinking Loud: Genesis Owusu – "Get Inspired" Independent Publicity Team of the Year

Independent Album of the Year

Best Independent Hip Hop Album or EP "Leaving the Light" Independent Song of the Year Thinking Loud – Genesis Owusu - Struggler Independent Publicity Team of the Year The Annex/Ourness/AWAL – Genesis Owusu - Struggler Independent Marketing Team of the Year

APRA Awards The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually

"The Other Black Dog" Song of the Year

Genesis Owusu Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year 2023 "GTFO" Song of the Year

Song of the Year

Song of the Year

"Pirate Radio"

ARIA Music Awards The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (commonly known as the ARIA Music Awards, the ARIA Awards, or simply the ARIAs) recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. Owusu has won seven awards from nineteen nominations. 2019 "WUTD" / "Vultures"

2020 "Don't Need You"

"GTFO" Best Independent Release

Genesis Owusu & The Black Dog Band Best Australian Live Act "GTFO" (Genesis Owusu, Uncle Friendly) Best Video

Album of the Year

Best Solo Artist Best Hip Hop/Rap Release Best Independent Release Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore for Genesis Owusu – "Stay Blessed" Best Video Andrew Klippel and Dave Hammer for Genesis Owusu – Struggler Best Produced Release Simon Cohen, Dave Hammer for Genesis Owusu – Struggler Best Engineered Release Australian Music Prize The Australian Music Prize (the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. It commenced in 2005.

Smiling with No Teeth Australian Music Prize 2023 Struggler Australian Music Prize

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.

Smiling with No Teeth Australian Album of the Year

"The Other Black Dog" (directed by Riley Blakeway) Australian Video of the Year

Struggler Australian Album of the Year

Genesis Owusu Australian Live Act of the Year National Live Music Awards The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia.

ACT Live Voice of the Year

Live Act of the Year

Best Live Act

Best Hip Hop Act Best Live Act in the ACT Alex McCoy and Pat Babekuhl (for Genesis Owusu) Best Stage & Light Design Rolling Stone Australia Awards The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.

Smiling with No Teeth Best Record

Genesis Owusu Best New Artist Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition The Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition is an annual competition that "acknowledges great songwriting whilst supporting and raising money for Nordoff-Robbins" and is coordinated by Albert Music and APRA AMCOS. It commenced in 2009. 2021 "Gold Chains" Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition