<p><span><span>- Ghana-born, Australian based rapper Genesis Owusu is Canberra’s most exciting new export, (though there may not be stiff competition), and his new project, <em>Smiling with No Teeth</em>, is a versatile rap record. It’s 2021’s equivalent to the magnum opus <em>The Return </em>by <strong>Sampa the Great</strong>, and the phenomenal <em>Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 2 </em>by <strong>Tkay Maidza</strong>.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Following up a series of noteworthy singles, most notably <em>Wit’ da Team</em> produced by <strong>The Free Nationals</strong>, Genesis Owusu’s work here is experimental yet succinct. <em>Smiling with No Teeth’s </em>opener <em>On the Move!</em> is a distorted and surreal track that sees Owusu channel his fury into menacing, blunt vocals with electronic production ripples slicing open the seams in a way only <strong>Death Grips</strong> or <strong>Denzel Curry</strong> have recently achieved.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>In <em>The Other Black Dog</em>, Owusu, frames this whole album as “<em>a tale of black dogs with golden leashes</em>”, an opulent introduction to a record about self-determination, spirit and -maybe the most apt word to describe the Genesis Owusu across the record- confidence. Owusu reflects upon this lyric on <em>Gold Chains</em>, which bends his hip-hop into a sultry, jazz-pop inspired cut that sounds like golden honey.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Though most of the record sees Owusu alone, exploring his world, he teams up with <strong>Kirin J Callinan</strong> on <em>Drown</em>, a glistening, metallic rock anthem that is both adventurous and soulful. One of the most exciting qualities of <em>Smiling with No Teeth</em>, is how Genesis Owusu not only bends different subgenres of hip-hop, but incorporates other genres entirely. This debut, a true hip-hop odyssey, closes with <em>Bye Bye</em>, a soulful coda that blends arpeggiated synthesisers and keys over Owusu’s gorgeous vocals.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>For most of his debut, Genesis Owusu explores unfamiliar territory and his leaps across the strange new terrain threaten chaos, but never manage to trip him up. <em>Smiling With No Teeth</em> is a prodigious growth in Owusu’s artistry, catapulting him to the top of the contemporary pack. You can see why he’d be smiling, even with no teeth, because everything in his mouth is gold.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>- Sean Tayler.</span></span></p>
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