Armed with lyrics that are as raw and heartfelt as they are universal, Queens emcee OTis CLaPP is breaking through the underground scene one beat at a time. With the debut release of his album Welcome II Nowhere. OTis CLaPP took a moment to share his thoughts on everything from his creative process to what inspires him and why he won’t tell you about his name.
SK: How did you come to pursue music as a career?
OC: It just kind of happened. I always had a love for music. I remember being like 6 or 7 pretending I was in a rock band with a wiffle ball bat as my guitar. 
I started rapping in 1997, recording in 1998 and somewhere down the line I just started taking shit a lot more serious.
I started rapping in 1997, recording in 1998 and somewhere down the line I just started taking shit a lot more serious.SK: Have you always been a lover of Hip Hop?
OC: I grew up primarily on rock, and actually even when I started writing rhymes I still didn’t care much for Hip Hop but as I started getting more into it I became a student of the game.
SK: As an underground artist how difficult is it for you to get exposure?
OC: It’s definitely challenging. You need to have good networking skills and some really good music to go with it. I mean most underground artists don’t have crazy management teams shopping them and bringing exposure to them so artists like me have to just grab it.
SK: Do you ever get deterred by the difficulties you do face as an artist?
OC: Not so much anymore. I mean sometimes it gets overwhelming but I’m so accustomed to just putting my head down and pushing forward. I think when I was younger I used to get deterred maybe that’s what held me back. Nowadays, I don’t have the time to stop and feel deterred.
SK: What keeps you motivated?
OC: Well, like I said I’m just so used to working hard. I mean for me personally I feel like it would be harder to quit. I’ve shaped my whole lifestyle around my grind. So for me to not be motivated I’d be changing my whole lifestyle.
SK: The track ‘Reflection‘ on Welcome II Nowhere is so deeply personal yet universal. Is your life where you draw most of your inspiration for your music?
OC: First off shout-out to iHD. Because you guys featured that joint as “iHEART TRACK OF THE WEEK” on a Monday and I wrote, recorded, mixed, and engineered it on Sunday (day before). So, to answer the question, absolutely. My life draws most of my music’s inspiration, and I think that’s what makes my music so authentic and real, and one of a kind. I feel like you could listen to my music and understand who I am and what I’ve been through because it’s that real.
SK: Have there been artist that have influenced you in your life?
OC: Influenced my life? No one really but, influenced my music there’s too many to name. My influences range from Nas to Radiohead to Black Thought back to the Smashing Pumpkins. The range is insane.
SK: What is your creative process like?
OC: It’ll probably sound a little strange but I swear these beats talk to me. When I put on a beat it speaks to me. Then I usually just translate or interpret what it’s telling me. To you it’s a verse or a song but, to me it’s my translation of what the beat said to me. Sometimes a beat doesn’t speak to me at all. Sometimes I have nothing to write but if I feel a beat that’s usually the writing process.
SK: Music is such a powerful platform what message do you want to convey?
OC: I don’t think there’s one specific message my music conveys but my thing is I think my life and story has been an interesting one. So I just want to share it with people.
SK: Where do you want to see yourself grow from here?
OC: I just want to stay on the path I’m on. Perhaps get back into acting again and just entertain. I really, really want to get more into production.
SK: Ok I have to ask Otis, where did your name come from?
OC: I can’t tell you. If I told you I’d have to kill you, and you seem nice, plus I really want to finish this interview.
SK: What is it that you want people to know about Otis Clapp? Not just the emcee but the person?
OC: I’ve never been a “natural” at anything. I have always worked and worked at what I wanted. Whether it was making music, playing ball, nothing ever really came easy to me. I’ve never been afraid to work diligently though. Also a lot of people don’t really know because a lot of my music is so serious but I’m actually a real funny guy.
Stay current with OTis CLaPP:
Welcome 2 someware! You’re going places so collect post cards, I really like the tune “gifted”