Otis Mensah

Otis Mensah is a musician and multidisciplinary artist exploring the intersection of poetry and experimental music(s). Taking influence from the rhythmic and expressive freedom of Jazz, Otis’ work uses aesthetic language as an instrument to solo through themes of race, identity, gender and the body.



Since being appointed Sheffield’s first Poet Laureate in 2018, Otis has sold-out their debut poetry collection Safe Metamorphosis published with Prototype in 2020, debuted at Glastonbury, We Out Here and Shambala Festival, as well as performing with the likes of Moor Mother, Nightmares On Wax, Benjamin Zephaniah, Lava La Rue, Mahalia and Little Simz.



Building on earlier work and their tenure as Sheffield’s first Poet Laureate, Otis is also the recipient of Jerwood Arts Live Work Fund, and Arts Council England's Developing your Creative Practice. The prolific multi-hyphenate creative boasts features with with Arrested Development, and many more, with their upcoming EP due out September via Berlin label Lekker Collective.



Previous support includes: The Guardian, Earmilk, Worldwide FM, Bandcamp Weekly, NOTION, BBC Radio 6 Music.