KWASI answers five questions that unpack his alter ego on his debut album OUTSTANDING MISFIT
Outstanding MISFIT moves from feeling like an outsider to becoming an anti-hero. How did you approach telling that story through the album?
The foundation of the story comes from real experiences, but I wanted to explore them through a more cinematic lens. I actually used a sample-based hip-hop approach to writing the original film script, taking scenes from different movies and piecing them together to create an entirely new narrative and character arc.
From there, I used that story to influence the emotions, atmosphere and direction of the album. The music would then influence the film, and the film would influence the music. It became this back-and-forth creative process where both mediums were constantly shaping each other.
The album also introduces the MISFIT as your alter ego. Where did this character come from, and what does it represent for you?
The character comes from my own experiences of alienation and prejudice growing up. It’s essentially my shadow, an exaggerated version of the parts of myself that aren’t always easy to confront.
It’s an outlet that gives me permission to explore the irrational, the impulsive, the ugly and the uncomfortable parts of being human. Rather than suppressing those things, I wanted to create a character that could embody them.
The album moves between hip-hop, punk, indie and emo. How did you shape such a chaotic and unpredictable sound around the story?
I think the sound is really just a reflection of me and everything I grew up around. My mum would have grunge blasting through the house when I was young. Soundgarden, Tool, Nirvana. Then my dad would be playing soul, funk and reggae. Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff.
During my teenage years, I’d be skating in a friend’s shed blasting Blink-182 and Bloc Party. Then I’d be over in Ghana hearing highlife music, or on a mission with my uncle to catch Queens of the Stone Age live at Festival Hall. I’ve never really felt connected to just one genre. All those different influences are part of who I am, so I pull from them to help tell the story. The chaos in the music feels pretty natural to me.
You’re bringing Outstanding MISFIT to life with an immersive live cinema experience on Halloween. What can audiences expect from KWASI PRESENTS: THE SCORE?
It’s something that sits somewhere between a live concert, a film and a theatrical performance. We’ll have a live band performing inside the cinema, with a short film weaving in and out of the music. The story follows the character arc of the Outstanding MISFIT through alienation, heartbreak, chaos and ultimately self-acceptance.
It’s dark, moody, theatrical and a little unpredictable. I really want to push the boundaries of how people experience music, overload their senses and create something that stays with them long after the curtains close. And what better night to bring this world to life than Halloween?
Where can fans catch KWASI PRESENTS: THE SCORE: OUTSTANDING MISFIT?
We’re taking over the iconic Rivoli Cinemas in Melbourne on Saturday, October 31st, for one night only. It’s a special Halloween live cinema experience celebrating the release of my debut album, Outstanding MISFIT. Tickets start from $45 for General Admission, with final release tickets at $50. Grab your tickets here
You can hear KWASI debut album OUTSTANDING MISFIT on all streaming platforms. This is an I Don’t Blame You Media interview.
