Before stepping into the spotlight, Otto Botté had already earned a reputation as a self-taught engineer with a sharp ear and a collaborative nature. His Grammy-nominated work on Robin Schulz’s remix of “Waves,” along with contributions to projects by Enrique Iglesias, Santigold, and 21 Savage, reveals a career built on precision and versatility.
As a member of Pool Cosby, Botté explored sample-driven experimentation and collaborated with artists such as Raekwon, Denitia, and Ivy Sole, expanding the group’s hybrid sound across various genres. Remaining active within high-profile engineering teams kept him tuned to the pulse of contemporary music. These experiences refine his technical skills and deepen his understanding of how rhythm, texture, and emotion communicate beyond style boundaries.
“I Know,” his latest release, opens with quiet conviction and a clear sense of purpose. Grounded in transcultural rhythms, the track is guided by a voice that carries a gentle spiritual weight. Botté weaves Afrobeat elements with the soft shimmer of coastal Latin guitar, crafting a sound that feels both grounded and luminous. The production remains lush yet restrained, allowing the song’s emotional core to come through with clarity.
The song explores themes of faith, healing, and renewal. Botté’s bilingual delivery reflects a personal search that bridges language and culture, creating intimacy without retreating inward. His desire for restoration, for the ability to love and feel whole again, is expressed with clarity rather than embellishment. Repetition throughout the track underscores the persistence of that hope, a feeling carried over time rather than passing through it.
The rhythm invites contemplation more than dance, never rushing the listener. It opens space for reflection, movement, and even prayer. Botté’s vocal approach is calm and sincere. He sings with a quiet trust in the listener’s ability to grasp what truly matters.
As Botté explains, “I Know was birthed out of a prayer for healing I’ve been sitting with for a long time.” The melody reflects that sentiment, returning to familiar phrases that feel more like affirmations than hooks.
Later in the track, Botté introduces phrases that hint at personal memory and loss. These moments are not explained or expanded. They are left in the mix like quiet markers of experience. The song maintains a steady tone, centered on the act of waiting and the belief that healing is possible even when it hasn’t yet arrived.
“I Know” reflects Botté’s clarity as a solo artist. He channels his production skills into something deeply personal yet quietly restrained. The track resonates with those still finding their way, holding on to faith, and learning to stay present. Its rhythm feels like a companion, its melody like endurance itself. Botté’s message remains simple and clear: the miracle may not have come yet, but the prayer continues.
