Otis Mensah Author

Otis Mensah, self-proclaimed mum’s house philosopher and rap psalmist, offers an alternative take on contemporary Hip-Hop and spoken word. Endeavouring to shed light on existential commonalities through vulnerable expression, Otis’s work reads like a stream of consciousness, using aesthetic language to paint worlds of thought. Otis continues to release music independently, taking creative projects like Rap Poetics to the stage, around the UK and Europe, as well as making his debut at Glastonbury Music Festival. Throughout his career, Otis has opened for heavyweights like Benjamin Zephaniah, Arrested Development, The Sugarhill Gang, Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Killah Priest, Lowkey, Open Mike Eagle, Chali 2na, and Blu & Exile. Describing Otis as ‘dynamic, skilful and radical’, former Lord Mayor and MEP Magid Magid appointed Otis Mensah as the first poet laureate of Sheffield. ‘As the first Hip-Hop artist to be awarded a poet laureate title in the UK, he wants to use the position to break down barriers, smash the stuffy stereotype, and remind people that poetry is meant to be for the people.’ The Guardian