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Take 5 · October 1 · 59 min

Take 5 with Genesis Owusu

Genesis Owusu is one of Australia's most thrilling new artists. Born Kofi Owusu-Ansah, he immigrated to Canberra with his family when he was just two years old. Almost immediately he felt like an odd one out. And he used that feeling to get weird. 20 odd years later, his music, visuals, and storytelling has resonated with millions. He's won the ARIA for Album of the Year twice (first for Smiling with No Teeth in 2021, and then with Struggler in 2023), and leads the nominations again this year for his third album, Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge. All across the world people sing his praises. Barack Obama has a Genesis song on his summer playlist ('Gold Chains'). And he's done it all, his way. Genesis Owusu's song choices: Cibo Matto - 'Birthday Cake' N.E.R.D. - 'Rock Star' Lupe Fiasco - 'American Terrorist [Ft. Matthew Santos]' Prince - 'All the Critics Love U in New York' Tyler, The Creator - 'I Think' 00:00 Introduction: From Ghana to ARIA Award-Winning Musician 02:06 Early Life: Family, Music, and Immigrating to Canberra 04:50 First song: Cibo Matto, 'Birthday Cake' & Jet Set Radio Future 06:35 "Ugly Was Also to Be Appreciated": Why Every Album Opens Abrasive 07:23 The Biggest Creative Influence: Jet Set Radio Future & Video Game Soundtracks 09:29 First Ever Favorite Song: Wu Tang Clan, 'Gravel Pit' (via the Original Xbox) 11:35 Second song: N.E.R.D, 'Rock Star' & Finding His Identity 20:08 The Tree Dream: A One-Man Band Playing to All the School Kids 21:34 First Rap: The Ansah Brothers & Parents' Reaction 25:35 Third song: Lupe Fiasco, 'American Terrorist' & Political Awakening 35:33 Fourth song: Prince, 'All the Critics Love U in New York' & Making Smiling With No Teeth 41:47 Winning the ARIA for Album of the Year 46:14 Side Quests: Learning New Skills Beyond Music 49:41 Fifth song: Tyler, The Creator, 'I Think' & The Power of the Album 51:32 Solange's Unsung Influence on Music Videos 54:59 Fear of Stagnation & Staying True to the 10-Year-Old's Mission 57:55 Wrap-Up & Next Episode Preview of Vika & Linda Bull This episode was filmed for Season 5 of Take 5 with Zan Rowe on ABC TV and ABC iview. You can stream the whole season on ABC iview now. Watch this episode of Take 5 on ABC iview https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe Take 5: live in record stores This November, we're heading into record stores with some very special guests - and we want you to come along. Zan Rowe will visit four record stores in New South Wales and Victoria to record rare, intimate live episodes of the Take 5 podcast, which celebrates 20 years in 2026. She's pulled out the Rolodex for this one, convincing Aussie legends The Presets, Dan Sultan, Kate Miller-Heidke, and her old mate John Butler to come along for the ride. Find out all the details here.

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Genesis Owusu is one of Australia's most thrilling new artists.

Born Kofi Owusu-Ansah, he immigrated to Canberra with his family when he was just two years old. Almost immediately he felt like an odd one out. And he used that feeling to get weird.

20 odd years later, his music, visuals, and storytelling has resonated with millions. He's won the ARIA for Album of the Year twice (first for Smiling with No Teeth in 2021, and then with Struggler in 2023), and leads the nominations again this year for his third album, Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge. All across the world people sing his praises. Barack Obama has a Genesis song on his summer playlist ('Gold Chains'). And he's done it all, his way.

Genesis Owusu's song choices: 

  • Cibo Matto - 'Birthday Cake'
  • N.E.R.D. - 'Rock Star'
  • Lupe Fiasco - 'American Terrorist [Ft. Matthew Santos]'
  • Prince - 'All the Critics Love U in New York'
  • Tyler, The Creator - 'I Think'

00:00 Introduction: From Ghana to ARIA Award-Winning Musician

02:06 Early Life: Family, Music, and Immigrating to Canberra

04:50 First song: Cibo Matto, 'Birthday Cake' & Jet Set Radio Future

06:35 "Ugly Was Also to Be Appreciated": Why Every Album Opens Abrasive

07:23 The Biggest Creative Influence: Jet Set Radio Future & Video Game Soundtracks

09:29 First Ever Favorite Song: Wu Tang Clan, 'Gravel Pit' (via the Original Xbox)

11:35 Second song: N.E.R.D, 'Rock Star' & Finding His Identity

20:08 The Tree Dream: A One-Man Band Playing to All the School Kids

21:34 First Rap: The Ansah Brothers & Parents' Reaction

25:35 Third song: Lupe Fiasco, 'American Terrorist' & Political Awakening

35:33 Fourth song: Prince, 'All the Critics Love U in New York' & Making Smiling With No Teeth

41:47 Winning the ARIA for Album of the Year

46:14 Side Quests: Learning New Skills Beyond Music

49:41 Fifth song: Tyler, The Creator, 'I Think' & The Power of the Album

51:32 Solange's Unsung Influence on Music Videos

54:59 Fear of Stagnation & Staying True to the 10-Year-Old's Mission

57:55 Wrap-Up & Next Episode Preview of Vika & Linda Bull

This episode was filmed for Season 5 of Take 5 with Zan Rowe on ABC TV and ABC iview. You can stream the whole season on ABC iview now.

Watch this episode of Take 5 on ABC iview 

https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

Take 5: live in record stores

This November, we're heading into record stores with some very special guests - and we want you to come along.

Zan Rowe will visit four record stores in New South Wales and Victoria to record rare, intimate live episodes of the Take 5 podcast, which celebrates 20 years in 2026.

She's pulled out the Rolodex for this one, convincing Aussie legends The Presets, Dan Sultan, Kate Miller-Heidke, and her old mate John Butler to come along for the ride.

Find out all the details here.

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