Genesis Owusu fights his demons on latest single “Tied Up”

Genesis Owusu has released the second single from his highly-anticipated sophomore album, STRUGGLER, due out August 18th via Ourness / Awal. The track glides along a rhythmic, foot-stomping beat and an 80’s alt-pop guitar line, while his assertive vocals underline the struggle of getting by in an often uneasy and stressful world, all while trying to hold onto oneself and not lose sight of the best parts of life. Produced by Sol Was (Beyoncé’s Renaissance) and Henry Was (Justin Jay, Thumpasaurus), the song provides a more complete perspective on the sounds and attitudes of STRUGGLER.

The album’s first single “Leaving The Light,” released in May, offered fans a rapid and hard-hitting three minutes of post-punk infused hip-hop that Consequence called “Equal parts frenetic hip-hop and beefy punk rock, a fired-up banger led by a scintillating bassline that feels tailor-made for headbanging.” Meanwhile, “Tied Up” sees Owusu taking a more approachable path, energetically exploring the chaos and absurdity of life, and the ability to endure.

The accompanying music video for “Tied Up” sees Owusu entering the ring as a boxer before being pursued through a post-apocalyptic landscape by his own internal demons. The chaotic and artsy film was directed by the Aotearoa (New Zealand) visual artist Lisa Reihana, who was also the visionary behind the video for “Leaving The Light.”

Owusu hits the road in October for a world tour, celebrating the release of STRUGGLER with dates in his native Australia, France, Canada, and plenty of US appearances, including an October 21st appearance at Philly’s Underground Arts. Get tickets and info on that concert at WXPN’s Concerts and Events page, check out the video for “Tied Up” and the full list of tour dates below.

Tour Dates
10/12 Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
10/13 Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
10/14 Ferndale, MI – The Loving Touch
10/15 Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Music Hall
10/17 Toronto, ON – The Velvet Underground
10/18 Montreal, QC – Le Studio TD
10/19 Boston, MA – The Sinclair
10/20 Brooklyn, NY – Elsewhere
10/21 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts
10/25 Washington, DC – Union Stage
10/27 Charlotte, NC – Visulite Theatre
10/28 Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
10/29 Nashville, TN – The Basement East
10/31 Austin, TX – Empire Control Room & Garage
11/01 Dallas, TX – The Studio at The Factory
11/03 Denver, CO – Globe Hall
11/06 Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre
11/07 San Francisco, CA – The Independent
11/09 Seattle, WA – Neumos
11/10 Portland, OR – Star Theatre
11/11 Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre
11/15 London, UK – Heaven
11/16 Paris, FR – Café de la Danse
11/17 Berlin, DE – Hole44
12/01 Perth, AUS – Ice Cream Factory
12/08 Melbourne, AUS – Festival Hall
12/09 Canberra, AUS – UC Refectory
12/14 Brisbane, AUS – Fortitude Music Hall
12/15 Sydney, AUS – Hordern Pavilion
12/16 Adelaide, AUS – Hindley St Music Hall