Genesis Owusu, now 28, is a seven‑time ARIA award winner who recently covered the Rolling Stones’ "Paint It Black" on Triple J. His career already spans rap, post‑punk, soul and funk, but one unexpected source shaped his style.

The source is Jet Set Radio Future, a Sega title released in 2000. The game puts players in control of a gang of roller‑blading graffiti artists fighting a mega‑corporation in a police‑state version of futuristic Tokyo.

Owusu explains that the game’s pirate‑radio soundtrack introduced him to cult acts like Bis, Bran Van 3000 and Cibo Matto. He says the music taught him that “ugly and abrasive can be used just as powerfully as sweet and lovely.”

Speaking on the Take 5 podcast, Genesis Owusu says Jet Set Radio Future is the biggest creative influence in his life. He credits the game’s eclectic sound for his willingness to blend genres and push musical boundaries.

The influence is evident on his latest album, Red Star Wu & The Worldwide Scourge, which opens with a track called "Pirate Radio" and carries the same rebellious, genre‑mixing spirit he first heard in the game.

Owusu’s story shows how exposure to diverse media, such as video‑game soundtracks, can shape an artist’s creative decisions. It highlights the power of cross‑media inspiration in modern music.