Gill Sotu

GILL SOTU

Sometimes poetic, sometimes soul, sometimes hip-hop, sometimes comedic, always from the heart, Gill Sotu has a style like no other. He is the master of connection, engaging audiences throughout California. Whether he is performing poetry or singing with band the one thing that stays consistent –passion. 

As a performer Gill has won the 2012 San Diego Raw Performing Artist Of The Year, 2012  Winner of the San Diego City Anti-Littering Spoken Word Competiton, 2008 Semi-Finalist at the National Poetry Slam, 2007 Grand Slam Los Angeles Poetry Champion, 2006 Grand Slam Ventura County Poetry Champion. His debut album Elephant Heart was nominated for 5 Mavric Independent Music Awards.

Gill produces and hostsTrain Of Thought, a successful open Mic running over 4 years strong, San Diego featured in local publications such as the San Diego Reader, San Diego Uptown News and CityBeat.  Besides his regular performances, he currently conducts poetry workshops in schools across California as well as facilitated poetry workshops in San Diego’s juvenile county lock-up for over 2 years. 

As a host Gill has run stages for, HBO’s Brave New Voices Semi-Final Poetry Competition, CSUN’s Five for Five Talent Competition, ACLU’s Freedom Of Expression Showcase, Fiesta Del Sol Community Stage, and San Diego Indie Fest to name a few. 

His music and poetry can also be heard on ITunes, Amazon, CDBaby, Reverbnation, Spotify

Gill Sotu is fearless, his words cut straight into my heart and fire up my imagination. Recently during his performance someone turned to me and asked "did he write that?" I answered "indeed he did how lucky are we to have such an expressive gifted artist here in our own back yard".
-Gregory Page, Acoustic San Diego Legend

"Gill Sotu is a sincere reflection of a counter punch to the notion that real music is dead.  "Flawed American Male" proves that there's a pulse pumping, alive and well!"
-Ise Lyfe, HBO Def Jam Poet, Commissioner of the Arts and Cultural Affairs -Oakland

"In the middle of listening to 1500 songs that were submitted I popped in the CD from Gill SOTU. and I was automatically hooked in! Before I knew it I had listed to the CD 3 or 4 complete times because I had enjoyed it so much. I can't remember another artist that happened with. Gill's CD soon made it onto my iPod and into my 'favorites' playlist." -Doc Rogers, Founder of the MAVRIC Music Awards

“His music and words make you stop whatever you’re doing and listen to something beautiful”
-Paul Mabon, HBO Def Jam Poet