Today we’d like to introduce you to Tenshi Okita.
Hi Tenshi, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started making music ever since I was maybe 7. In San Diego, every time at my late aunt’s house after church, we would go to her house, and my uncle had a studio in the back room. I would always study him and watch what he’s doing on Logic Pro X. I remember always asking him how to record an instrument, how to compose, how to record vocals, how to mix, everything. Ever since then, I started having a passion to want to make music. Fast forward to 6th grade, I started watching remake tutorials on YouTube, for example, WTF Kyle. That pushed me to want to try creating music. Since I had limited resources, I started using Soundtrap on a school Chromebook. I watched tutorials on how to use it, and once I started getting the hang of it, I was there creating left and right. From then on, that’s when I knew that music was for me. I then went into 7th grade; this was when we were online because of COVID-19 and I had a band teacher named Mr. Rodriguez. I introduced myself to him and told him about my passion for music. From 7th-8th grade, he’s guided me in so many different ways. He taught me how to record vocals on Soundtrap, how to mix, compose; he even taught me how to get my music to all streaming platforms hahah. Ever since then, I’ve been working consistently on my craft. Fast forward 5 years later, I still make all of my music on Soundtrap and I finally have all of my music on all streaming platforms, but this wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for him. Sure, I had the skills/talents, but he had the guidance, and for that, I’m forever grateful for him and his investments into me and my music. He gifted me two MIDI keyboards, which I still own to this day!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, to be honest. Nothing ever is, there’s always hard work and dedication that needs to be put into your goals. Some of the struggles I’ve suffered with is consistency, marketing, always wondering how to adapt from different genres, how to express my feelings and my mental health problems without it coming off in a repetitive way. I mainly suffer with marketing. Being 17, I know I have talent. Even on days where I doubt myself, I always end up finding myself later on down the line creating something so different that gives me that “stink” face; like a “Damnnnn, I made this?” kind of look. But, even with me having all these skills, I need to make sure that I’m being heard and that people know who tenshisdead is. Without that, other than having fun creating music, in my opinion, it wouldn’t be worth all this effort. Which is partly why I doubt myself. I don’t really deserve anything, but in the end, you’re creating music for someone to listen to, or even people, outside of yourself. It’s just how you attract people to you, how you make people want to stay, kinda like putting them under a spell.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I produce, sing, (occasionally) rap, write, engineer. I also play drums, guitar, and piano as well. Sometimes, I’m known for doing Michael Jackson performances at my school. Mostly, I’m known for making music (both personal and outside music, for example, MJ). I’m mostly proud of how articulate I can be and how versatile I’m trying to direct my music towards. I like to be expressive; sonically and vocally. I used to suuuuuucccckkkk at writing lyrics. Now, I’m actually able to tell a story with my lyrics, I’m able to have listeners vision and feel the story that I’m telling in my music. Whether it’s about relationships, mental health, not wanting to grow up, etc., I love being able to articulate it. I guess what sets me apart from others is the DAW I use to make music on. Most people use either FL Studio, Logic Pro, Ableton, Reaper, even Pro Tools. I’m still having trouble moving onto a different DAW (specifically FL Studio) because Soundtrap is what I grew up on. Soundtrap was my starting point. I know that Soundtrap is a online DAW with cheap-sounding sounds, I also know that FL Studio isn’t as limited. However, since I’ve used Soundtrap for almost 7 years now, it’s definitely going to be hard to transition. So, I’m guessing that’s what sets me apart from others.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
The people who deserve credit (aka the people I’m forever always in their debts) are KarnageBeats, Eulonzo, my best friends Jonah, Camryn, Dan, Tyler and Ian, my great-grandparents, the man who got me to where I am today aka Mr. Rodriguez, my exes for giving me stuff to talk about hahah, there’s so many yet so little people that deserves credit. I give credit to these people because they’ve given me so much guidance and have helped me better understand my purpose on this planet Earth. For example, if it wasn’t for specifically Jonah, Ian, and Camryn (alongside my great-grandparents), I wouldn’t be alive today. I give credit to these people because not only have they stuck by me even when I’ve had my negative moments to myself, or to others, but they’ve been so genuine, and they never have, or will fail to let me know how much I mean to some people. I’m so thankful to have them in my life, I wouldn’t be 90% of the person I am today if it weren’t for them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenshisdead/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tenshisdead
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tensh_i
- Other: https://linktr.ee/fucktenshi
Image Credits
Brylor Morris
