Genesis Owusu’s “Sideways”, begins with an odd creaking whistle. Like a muted bird call, it lends an air of curiosity to a song that is already brimming with idiosyncratic but catchy beats.
The Ghanian born/Canberra-based hip-hop wunderkind now drops a stunning video to the song and it’s one that contrasts beauty and potential violence. Vibing off acts such as Mick Jenkins, Sampa the Great and Tame Impala, Owusu brings a fresh approach both through music and the visuals that come through the video.
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We sent him some questions to find out more.
Noisey: What’s that creaky effect at the start of the song?
Genesis Owusu: No idea. I made the song with Simon Mavin and Perrin Moss of Hiatus Kaiyote. I stepped out for a second and when I came back Perrin had come up with this sound that became the foundation of the track. It was so nasty. But nasty like a Nelly “Hot in Here” way. Simon and Pez are magic men, I swear. So most things they come up with sound pretty unique.
Where was the video filmed and what’s the concept behind the faces masked with flowers?
It was filmed in the wilds of the Canberra Zoo. The flowers could be the purity and beauty that (sometimes subtly) enshroud the characters in the video. Though the world may not see the purity and beauty in a hooded black man, or in a person from Africa, it’s there, standing out among the other perceptions. The fact that they’re in the form of masks covering the mouth/face however, can also be interpreted like these characters are being silenced or covered in a fake air of elegance to hide whatever ugly truths they make possess. I don’t want to say too many definite facts about the meanings of the video because I feel like it’ll take away other people’s opportunities to decipher it and make a meaning for themselves. The flower masks were made by my artist friend Luke Chiswell though, so shout out him.
How did the bloodied face come about?
We smacked it out of him for the art. Nah, it was fake blood. A stark contrast to the allure of the flowers. The ugly truths perhaps? Or just a sign of fragility? Mans just can’t handle a couple smacks to the face.
I like that people are still trying to get their heads around your sound and style. Is challenging the audience something you are into?
Yeah I guess I’ve always been a fan of messing with people. And I do like to give people the opportunity to think about something, whether they take it or not. But the sound and style is for me more than anyone else. I just make what I want to listen to but can’t listen to anywhere else at the time. I can get bored kinda easily and have to make sure I switch up to keep myself entertained. But I don’t think I’ve ever changed my style; everything I make, I’ve always had the capacity to make, so it’s more like I’m just choosing the time to showcase particular facets of my style.
When was the last time you were back in Ghana? What was it like?
I went back in 2014. So wild. Amazing place with amazing people. The structures of Ghanaian society are so wild to me, having spent most of my life in Australia. The wealth disparity is crazy. It seems like you’re either rich or poor. And y’all will live right next to each other. There are literally mansions across the street from wood huts. But just the way people move, push and hustle throughout life is so real; you can feel it in your chest.
You got your first headlines shows coming up. What performers do you look up to as far as entertainment and owning the stage?
The Yeezus Tour was the greatest show I’ve ever seen, period. Kanye really entered the arena from a cloud of red smoke from a single firecracker in a pitch black room, all to the music of the Sith theme from Star Wars. Ridiculous. When I saw Kendrick, when he walked on stage he really just stood there doing absolutely nothing for the first five minutes while everyone lost their minds. It was amazing. That kind of presence is rare. More locally speaking, Sampa the Great’s Laneway set was probably the second best set I’ve ever seen, just after Yeezus. My upcoming shows are going to be wild though. Like Backstreet Boys x Rage Against the Machine reunion supergroup type wild. I don’t even know what I just said. But it’s going to be crazy so come through.
Genesis Owusu shows:
Oct 13 – Melbourne at The Workers Club
Oct 19 – Sydney at Hudson Ballroom
Oct 28 – Canberra at Transit Bar
Lead photo: Jesse Lizotte
