ARIA Winner Genesis Owusu Invites Critics to Play Uno
Seven-time ARIA award winner Genesis Owusu is doing something unusual: he's actively seeking out people who disagree with him to connect face-to-face. The Canberra musician believes real conversations, even over a game of Uno, can help bridge the growing divide in our communities.
When Genesis Owusu isn't making award-winning music, he's dropping by people's homes, playing Uno at local markets, and doing something most artists avoid: courting his critics.
The Ghanaian-Australian musician from Canberra has won seven ARIA awards, performed on Stephen Colbert's show, and landed on Barack Obama's favorite music list. But his latest mission goes beyond music.
"It's really easy to make someone your enemy when all you have is a caricature of them that you've seen through a screen," Owusu tells ABC News. His upcoming third album, Redstar Wu & the Worldwide Scourge, tackles the polarization tearing communities apart.
Owusu believes most people share the same struggles: affording groceries, paying rent, finding work. Yet he sees forces trying to divide us by blaming immigrants and marginalized groups for economic hardships that have deeper roots.
His new single Life Keeps Going, filmed at Ghana's Independence Square, captures this message of persistence. The hard-hitting track doesn't just talk about pushing through barriers; it embodies that relentlessness in every beat.
Why This Inspires
What makes Owusu's approach remarkable is his commitment to real connection over digital warfare. He's received plenty of pushback online, but tellingly, never in person when he's met critics face-to-face.
"If you have a net worth under a billion dollars I have no beef with you," he says simply. It's a philosophy that recognizes our shared humanity beyond political tribalism.
His music keeps reaching new audiences too. When Obama included his track Gold Chains on his 2021 favorites list, Owusu woke to his phone vibrating non-stop with notifications. Comments flooded in: "Obama brought me here."
Most recently, he appeared on Netflix's Heartbreak High, performing for a show that debuted at number one in Australia and New Zealand. His 2026 Red Star Wu's Pirate Radio tour kicks off next month, where he promises theatrical performances that tell new stories.
From his bedroom in Canberra to screens worldwide, Owusu proves that authentic connection still matters in our divided world.
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Based on reporting by ABC Australia
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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