Genesis Owusu - "Tied Up!"

Photo by Bec Parsons

I'm not a huge dance music person, although I was in college in the late 90's, so obviously I did some dabbling then. But sometimes an artist comes around that completely defies you not to love their music no matter the genre, and Genesis Owusu is one of those. The Ghanian-Australian musician's latest single, "Tied Up!," is a pure dance track. It has a distinctly 90's feel to it, mixing mainstream dance music from that period with funk and hip hop. It's the kind of track that feels instantly familiar while also sounding completely fresh. It's like PM Dawn mixed with Madonna mixed with Parliament/Funkadelic, and is somehow even more fun than that sounds.

Genesis Owusu says of his new single:

“The Roach continues to run through an absurd world, trivially trying to make sense of it. Maybe looking internally, focusing inward instead of outward, will provide some guidance? Who knows.”

You can watch the video for "Tied Up!" below. Struggler is due out August 18 on Ourness/Awal, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Genesis Owusu, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

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