One of Sheffield’s brightest talents Otis Mensah will become the first poet laureate of Sheffield with an announcement to be made during this month’s Off The Shelf festival.
The rapper-poet will be appointed the title at the festival (6 – 27 October) by Lord Mayor Magid Magid, who described Otis as “all that is great about Sheffield, he’s dynamic, skilful and radical”. Talking to the BBC, Magid added: “Sheffield has always had a rich history of poetry and what better way to celebrate and support the amazing poetry scene than to appoint a poet laureate.”
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Otis said: “When I found out, I was pleasantly surprised to be asked to take on the role. I found it interesting that an aspiring experimental, hip-hop artist could be considered for such a formal position. I feel the term poetry often creates a certain image in people’s minds, painting the picture of snobbery, under the impression that it’s an elitist, whitewashed art form. But I believe poetry at its core is about communicating imperative messages of emotion.”
Otis will hold the position for two years.
Read more: Otis Mensah on new tunes, being vulnerable and playing with Killah Priest | Right Up Your Street: Otis Mensah on the Sheffield underground scene
