Genre classification in music is quickly becoming more and more arbitrary as artists find new and inventive ways to create exciting music. For Ghanaian-Australian musician Genesis Owusu, genres aren’t even an afterthought, something that’s apparent in his latest single and video, “Leaving the Light.” As the lead single and opener to his sophomore album, Struggler, the song comes out guns blazing, setting the stage for a global headline tour with stops in Europe, Australia, and the US, including an LA date. Always bold in his artistic statements, Owusu is seemingly ready for war on what might be the most hype track in his career thus far.
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Owusu doesn’t waste any time on “Leaving the Light,” getting straight to it and rapping as if running on a neverending treadmill. That’s primarily due to the main tempo, which resembles the Underground Theme from the Super Mario Bros. games and only momentarily slows down. Within that gap, ambient electronic sounds comparable to an impending UFO occupy the space. But it’s not long after when rapid-fire drums kick things back into gear, set off by the chorus roaring like a warhorn as gasps out of breath increase the pace.
In the video, Owusu, initially backlit with an angelic blue light, runs through a hellish, computer-generated landscape wrapped in metallic tubing. Later, he appears dressed like a maxed-out character from Skyrim, never faltering for a moment. It’s hard to tell where the physical set starts and ends, seemingly having no bounds to the limitless grounds, much like Owusu’s own potential.
As of now, Owusu’s headlining tour dates have no opening acts. That speaks volumes to how significant a musician’s presence is in such an early stage of his career. Limiting him as just a rapper would be a mistake, but to say other artists and bands are doing the same thing is a crime. The album, out August 18, is expected to be about fighting through the struggle of day-to-day problems and confronting them head-on. “Leaving the Light” alone accomplishes that goal while simply demonstrating a flourishing musician who keeps improving.
Words: David Sosa
“Leaving the Light” by Genesis Owusu is out on all streaming services. Tickets to his tour, including his stop at The Fonda Theatre, are available now. For more news on his upcoming album, follow him on Instagram, TikTok, and his website.
GENESIS OWUSU 2023 US TOUR
5/23 Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center**
5/25 Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena**
5/28 Boston, MA – Boston Calling
5/30 New York, NY – Madison Square Garden**
5/31 New York, NY – Madison Square Garden**
6/02 Washington, DC – Capitol One Arena**
6/04 Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse**
6/05 Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse**
6/07 Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena**
6/08 Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena**
6/10 Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center**
6/11 Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena**
6/13 Orlando, FL – Amway Center**
6/14 Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live**
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
** = tour dates with Paramore, Bloc Party
