Kwasi, the Ghanaian-Australian artist known for his genre-defying sound and storytelling, is back with a new single titled “LIT!” This latest release continues his mission to empower who he calls the misfits – those who have never quite fit in but have embraced their uniqueness to carve out their own paths. The track is both ominous and uplifting, capturing the raw emotion of a life lived on the fringes.
Kwasi’s music is a compelling blend of punk-rock energy and alternative hip-hop, reflecting his diverse upbringing and multicultural influences. Raised in a small Australian town, Kwasi’s experience of alienation fuelled his creative drive, leading him to create music that resonates with outsiders. His latest single, “LIT!”, is no exception. “I grew up in the Australian countryside where there wasn’t many kids that looked like me”, says Kwasi. “For me, music was a way to form an understanding of the world and a way for me to connect with others.”
Speaking about the new single, Kwasi continues, “‘LIT!’ is a burst of energy, the soundtrack for the rise of the anti-hero. It’s a track that embodies the feeling of being on the edge, ready to make your mark, despite the odds. It’s an introduction to who I am and where I’m headed.”
The track itself is a testament to Kwasi’s interesting creative process. Starting with a bass sample that he chopped up and distorted, Kwasi built the song from the ground up, adding chopped-up drum samples and weaving in vivid lyrical imagery. “Keep it rolling like a Commodore”, a line from the track, harks back to his first car, a beat-up 1998 Holden – a symbol of his journey through the Australian countryside and the skateboarding culture that heavily influences his work.
After debuting the early version of “LIT!” at a few shows, Kwasi knew the energy was right, but he wanted more. A trip to Sydney connected him with producer Tasker, where they reworked the track, adding live bass, guitar and synths to elevate the sound to match the intensity of Kwasi’s vision.
Kwasi is the outstanding misfit, and his audience have never fit neatly into societal norms. It’s a celebration of alienation turned into art, of cultural hybridity that defies genre boundaries. Growing up, Kwasi always stood out, but he has turned that into his superpower. “My music is for the misfits, the skateboarders, the artists”, says Kwasi. “It’s for anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t belong but decided to take those feelings and turn them into something powerful.”
In a world where fitting in is often the norm, Kwasi’s “LIT!” is a rallying cry for those who dare to be different. As he continues to blur the lines between genres and cultures, Kwasi invites his listeners to embrace their differences and join the movement of the misfits.
Stream “LIT” now:
