As a songwriter, he is notable as the co-author of "When It's Sleepy Time Down South", which became a signature song for Louis Armstrong.
He is best known as the co-author of the 1931 song "When It's Sleepy Time Down South", co-written with his brother Leon René, and Clarence Muse.
Otis René was noted to have earned $25,000 on one song in 1945, "I'm Lost", recorded by the King Cole Trio.
[1] In 1945, René was elected president of the newly established Pacific Coast Record Manufacturers' Association.
Artists on Otis René's label included Herb Jeffries,[4] Timmie Rogers and the Al Russell Trio.