Genesis Owusu joins Spotify’s RADAR emerging artist program

Ghanian-Australian hip-hop star Genesis Owusu has been announced as the latest artist to join Spotify’s global emerging artist program RADAR.

The program will provide the Canberra-based MC with track placement in the RADAR playlist, as well as on-platform marketing, bespoke content and social promotion for upcoming releases.

Owusu, who recently released a five-track deluxe companion project to his debut album Smiling with No Teeth titled Missing Molars, joins the likes of merci mercy and CHAII as the third RADAR artist to come from Australia and New Zealand.

Spotify has also announced that RADAR will expand to become a monthly program in AUNZ, with the streaming service spotlighting a new local artist via the platform every month.

Alicia Sbrugnera, Spotify’s head of music for AUNZ, congratulated Genesis Owusu’s appointment to the program, highlighting his growing international fanbase and genre-blending artistic sensibilities.

“Genesis is an artist we are really excited about,” Sbrugnera said.

“Evolving from his roots in hip-hop into something much much more, he has developed a passionate fan base across Australia and the US. We are thrilled to support Genesis’ continued growth and look forward to taking his unique sound to the world.”

Owusu also expressed his excitement at the prospect of being involved in the RADAR program.

“Being able to spread my reach from a small city like Canberra to so many people around the world is a blessing,” Owusu remarked. “Very grateful to Spotify.”

According to Spotify, last year’s inaugural RADAR Class of 2020 went on to collectively generate two billion streams globally, with 100 million listening hours, 112 million listeners and a 64% audience increase also being recorded for artists involved in the initiative.