Otto Wills
OYL Studio Lead Engineer
Out Your League Entertainment
Phillip Isaac Williams, better known as "Otto Wills," is a musical prodigy, producer, artist, and sound engineer hailing from the small town of Windsor, North Carolina. Born to an educator mother and a shipyard worker father, Otto’s musical journey began at the age of seven when his mother enrolled him in piano lessons to help improve his math skills. His natural talent was immediately recognized by his late piano teacher, Mary Mardre. Throughout high school, Otto performed in piano recitals at least twice a year, where he honed a photographic memory, enabling him to flawlessly perform entire movements of sonatas from memory with remarkable precision and touch.
At the age of 12, while staying at his aunt’s house after school, Otto Wills’ musical passion took a pivotal turn. His aunt would take him to piano lessons and let him practice on her Yamaha organ in the back room. One afternoon, as he watched a music video countdown, Isaac saw a video that would change his life: Kanye West’s Good Life featuring T-Pain. That moment sparked his decision to become a music producer. He immediately called his dad, asking him to buy Kanye’s Graduation album, which he then played on repeat for hours, absorbing its every sound. By the age of 14, Isaac began making beats using a demo version of FL Studio, although Logic Pro is now his preferred DAW for producing music.
In high school, Otto Wills became captivated by the legendary sound of Jimi Hendrix, which led his father to arrange guitar lessons for him with local music legend Jim Phelps. What started as paid lessons quickly turned into free jam sessions, as Jim told Otto's father that there was "nothing else he could teach him," recognizing Otto as a true musical prodigy. Otto's talents extended beyond just guitar. In 2012, he was the only student from Bertie County selected to attend Governor's School East, where he studied poetry under Pulitzer Prize-winning author Chuck Sullivan. His musical accomplishments earned him the prestigious Carolina Blue Letter for Outstanding Musicianship, leading the trumpet section at Bertie High School. Otto graduated from Bertie STEM High School with a 4.1 GPA, receiving three scholarships - Honors, Piano, and Marching Band - to attend Elizabeth City State University.
The name "Otto" was given to him during his first week at college band camp, when his section leaders said he resembled Otto Rocket from Rocket Power because of his hair and sense of style. Though he was initially reluctant to accept the nickname, it stuck, and soon even professors and job supervisors were calling him Otto. While attending Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), Otto was part of the Collegians Jazz Ensemble, where he had the distinguished opportunity to play and solo alongside Marcus Andersen, a member of Prince’s World Tour Band and one of the top horn players in the world. In 2017, Otto graduated Cum Laude from ECSU with a degree in Sound Recording Technology, cementing his expertise in the field of music production and engineering.
Otto Wills’ journey to Atlanta began in 2020 after several life changes, including becoming a father, running a home studio, and working a few odd jobs. Determined to take his career to the next level, Otto pitched his talents to Authentic Empire in Atlanta. They accepted him as an intern, and he quickly became the favorite engineer at the label, recording hundreds of sessions in just a few months. This hustle led to his first major placement on Foogiano’s Gutta Baby Mixtape, released under 1017 Atlantic, marking a significant milestone in Otto’s career as a producer and engineer.
After outgrowing his internship at Authentic Empire, Otto secured a lead engineer position at Loudhouse Studios, where he played a key role in helping Cleveland artist and entertainer BigDawg Chino secure a record deal with Universal Music Group. Otto's expertise also extended to working as a producer-engineer for Gunna’s startup, the Shadybabies, based in South Atlanta. It was during this time that Otto connected with one of his most prominent collaborators, Terry Tesla, further cementing his position in the music industry.
Since 2020, Otto Wills has built an impressive portfolio of studio and engineering credits, working with a diverse array of artists. His collaborations include notable names such as Terry Tesla, the Shadybabies, KGB Cho, Foogiano, Unfoonk, Eurogotit, Big Yavo, Big Bratt, BellyGang Kushington, Lil Joc, Nuski2Squad, Li Heat, Lil Duke, Almighty Jay, Sukihana, BRS Kash, B Slime, 952 El Gato, 952 Anti, Bankroll Freddie, Peewee Longway, XO (of Rap-a-Lot Records), Jose Guapo, AyooKD, Big Dawg Chino, Jr. Chino, and many more. His work in the studio has earned him recognition in the music industry, solidifying his reputation as a skilled engineer and producer.
Otto Wills is currently the studio manager at Out Your League Studios, located at 790 Glendale Rd Unit A, Scottdale, GA 30079. This facility serves as the home base for Out Your League ENT artists, RockLan One artists, and their staff. It is a full-time professional studio and office space with multi-use capabilities, providing a creative hub for rising talent. Otto is actively engineering for several next-level independent artists, including 1008 Brick, DatsJustice, NoL8ne, Fire N IIce, ATL Baby G, and more, continuing his journey of elevating independent music to new heights.
Otto Wills continues to push the boundaries of music quality, with his expertise and tech-savviness standing out. He has a deep understanding of music-related equipment and software, allowing him to craft exceptional sound. Known for his strong communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and passion for creating outstanding work, Otto strives to elevate the expectations of every artist and project he touches. His dedication to excellence and innovation makes him a vital figure in the ever-evolving world of music production and engineering.