About Me: Otis Hundley
Hey there, I’m Otis Hundley, a creator from Schenectady, New York — a place I carry with me in everything I do. Whether I’m writing a book, crafting a song, or performing as 97OTIS, my goal is always the same: to connect. I believe the world gets smaller when we share our stories, so I tell mine as honestly as I can — hoping it’ll resonate with yours.
Why I Write
I write because I have to. For me, writing is a way to figure out the world, to make sense of the chaos, and to touch the things we sometimes don’t know how to say. My work focuses on Human Nature, Morality, Politics, Love, and those thoughts we all have but might not say out loud. I’ve learned that when I open up about my life — the moments that broke me, the moments that built me — it creates a bridge. It shows we’re not all that different, no matter how diverse our backgrounds or experiences might be.
When I write, it’s not just from my perspective. Sure, I start there, but my goal is always to bring you along, to find a common thread between us. I want my readers to see their own stories in mine, to feel connected in ways they might not have expected. Whether it’s a line in a book or a lyric in a song, I’m trying to reach out and say, “Hey, I’ve been there too.”
Why I Make Music
Music is just another way I tell stories. As 97OTIS, I rap and write poetry that blends alternative hip-hop, lofi vibes, and boom bap beats. My tracks — like Terrified of Love or Machoman from New York — come from the same place my books do: a need to express and connect. My lyrics explore the things we think about late at night — philosophy, love, social commentary, the weight of being human — and I try to bring those thoughts to life in a way that feels both raw and meaningful.
When people describe my music as feeling like “hip-hop during the fall of Rome,” I take it as a compliment. It means I’m creating something that captures both the beauty and the chaos of the world we live in. Whether I’m collaborating on tracks like Friends in Taiwan or sharing my solo work, I’m always trying to say something real.
What I Want to Share
At the end of the day, I just want my work — whether it’s a book, a song, or a performance — to leave a mark. I want you to feel something, to think differently, or even just to know you’re not alone. My stories aren’t just mine — they’re ours. And I hope they help us all understand each other a little better.
