Genesis Owusu - Struggler Review: An Outlandish Outing That Cements A Bright Future

When an artist achieves their breakthrough moment after years of struggling their way through the music industry, it’s a dream come true. The hard work has paid off, they have a unique style that sets them apart, passionate fans and a hit record.

However soon a new struggle is born, as they now have to replicate similar success for their sophomore record. It isn't enough to copy what they did before, now it has to be refined in a way that will create something fresh but still true to the artist’s core, or they risk becoming a one hit wonder.

Genesis Owusu, the prodigy himself cleaning up at the ARIA Awards back in 2021. Photograph. The Sydney Morning Herald

It’s a difficult struggle and one Genesis Owusu is all too familiar with. Having gotten his start featuring on his brother’s [Citizen Kay] debut album, he began to build a support system of fans and peers, giving him the confidence to break out himself and after various releases struck gold with debut album Smiling With No Teeth which among various accolades, was the first Hip Hop record to win Album Of The Year at the 2021 ARIAs.

Needless to say, the pressure was on when it came time to craft his second album, Owusu needed a project that broke new ground and so he lent into absurdist stories, namely Franz Kafka’s novel The Metamorphosis and Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot. The result?

The cover for STRUGGLER, Genesis Owusu’s second studio album. Photograph. Genesis Owusu

STRUGGLER, a concept album about a disillusioned cockroach who rejects God’s purpose for him and ventures out to make his mark, hoping not to be stomped on. The concept is wacky and far removed from the straightforward storytelling on his debut, but from the moment the synths of opening track and lead single Leaving The Light hit the ears, you're immediately swept up in the story.

‘I won’t die on my knees, though my hands are tied/In the end it’s a roach vs. a landslide’ he determinedly raps over the pulsating beats, the protagonist knows the score but he’s not going down without a fight.

While categorized as Hip Hop, the overall sound is just as wild as the story STRUGGLER is telling. From a smooth RnB melody on See Ya There (a jarring comparison to the pessimistic lyrics) to rock inspirations across The Roach and Balthazar to traces of funk in That’s Life (A Swamp), reminiscent of Jamiroquai, the album has something for everyone.

Here sits Genesis Owusu, portraying the King of The Roaches in his music video for surprise single Survivor. Photograph. YouTube

Even the ending of the album isn’t straight forward, as the final track was originally the subdued Stuck To The Fan, where the protagonist overcomes his struggle only to be met with another. A few months later however, Owusu added Survivor, which acts as a post credit scene in a sense, it’s a cinematically produced African tribal sounding affair, affirming the confidence the protagonist has found on his journey.

A testament to the instincts of survival, STRUGGLER could not be more aptly named and its creator is not only surviving, but thriving. It looks like we’re seeing the Genesis of a long lasting legacy not only in Hip Hop but Australian music as well. Roach: 1, God: 0

On a scale of 0 to 5 where 0 is terrible and 5 is exceptional, I give STRUGGLER by Genesis Owusu a 4 out of 5.