A brand new experimental setup of piano and sax from poet and hip-hop artist Otis Mensah. Otis is a musician and multidisciplinary artist exploring the intersection of poetry and experimental musics.
Taking influence from the rhythmic and expressive freedom of jazz, Otis’s work uses aesthetic language as an instrument to solo through themes of race, identity 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 and We Out Here, as well as performing with the likes of Moor Mother, Nightmares On Wax, Benjamin Zephaniah and Little Simz.
Watch Otis's latest music video.
A really unique opportunity to hear a brilliant artist performing brand new music in the intimacy of the Lescar backroom.
"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
Get to know Otis in their interview from our Meet the Locals archive.
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