Strathcona Park, Vancouver – Margarita Young/Shutterstock
It doesn’t matter where you come from, or what language you speak, everyone has a story to tell. For one resident of Vancouver’s Strathcona Park encampment, that means finally having the ability to express himself.
Tenshun tha Strest One, a self-described DJ, composer, musician, and singer, has found solitude in the Strathcona neighborhood near the Downtown Eastside. This had led him to release a music video with the help of a local volunteer support worker and activist, Fiona York.
Warning! Explicit language.
Tenshun released “Home Is Where The Heart Is” on April 7, 2021, which is a story of triumph, pain, and love. Trained in classical piano, the 40-year-old has been releasing music for 28 years. Local Vancouver filmmaker, Ryan Sudds, come to the park to help record Tenshun’s video. “You can follow your dreams, you can do whatever you want, which is amazing. But I still find myself stuck in a dreamland” said Tenshun.
Jazzy beats, steady flow, and a relatable story give off Atmosphere vibes from the first beat. It’s incredible what people might think when they hear someone living in the Strathcona Park encampment released a music video, but we should all be impressed. Passion, drive, and a love of music have no limitations. Tenshun sheds light on the fact that everyone has talents, no matter how privileged you may be.
Tenshun Tha Strest One/Reverb Nation
“Why can’t we all just learn from mistakes before the earth burns up in space.” Words of wisdom from someone who has a very different perspective of the world than most of us. But even if we can’t fully relate, his words through music have deep meaning. Everyone deserves a chance in life to do what they love, no matter where you live, and Tenshun is living proof of that.
Vancouver has been dealing with an abundance of people calling Strathcona Park their home for the better part of a year. As the city council and the B.C. government agreed to end the encampment by April 30th, Vancouver is said to have enough shelter to house approximately 200 residents. Hopefully, this means a safer environment for everyone involved. Once again, this is another classic example of, you can’t judge a book by its cover.