Rap show to raise awareness of youth homelessness

The Salvation Army Steet 2 Stage rap team is about to hit schools and Salvation Army centres around NSW.

BY REECE CARR*

A series of concert events designed to raise awareness about youth homelessness will tour schools and Salvation Army centres across NSW during National Homelessness Week (5-11 August 2024).

Owen Davis, who experienced a life of drugs and crime as a teenager before being helped by the Salvos, is now helping young people in need through his company, Street 2 Stage, which is about to embark on the Homeless Rap Show tour.

Owen’s new concert series features rap, real-life stories, a five-minute video, lasers, 3D projectors and loud, heartfelt music designed to educate and entertain young people.

Two members of the Street 2 Stage rap team speak to a school student after a performance.

Growing up was a struggle for Owen. He was kicked out of the house at only 13, lived on the street day and night, and was in and out of jail. Drugs and crime were the only thing Owen knew. Despite all this, the Salvos helped Owen, gave him a bed to sleep on, food and shelter, and helped him get off the drugs. Although there were ups and downs with Owen, the Salvos stayed true to their word and continued helping and providing for him, knowing he wasn’t a bad person, just a broken one.

“The streets became my family; I learnt everything that I know now from them,” says Owen.

Rap music has given Owen Davis a purpose in life.

Now, Owen is passionate about helping others because he knows the struggle they go through every day. He wants to show that there is hope through the homeless rap genre, which Owen would like to promote in his shows and performances with Street 2 Stage.

This genre is about expressing the struggles of living on the streets through real-life stories and real situations and turning it towards rap music. Owen mentioned that once he started rapping, he felt like he had a purpose, a goal to do better and push for his dreams.

He said the genre of rap got him out of crime, strong drug use and overall made him feel like a better individual: “I walked away from fights instead of taking them.”

For more information about Street 2 Stage and to book Owen and his team for a performance, go to street2stage.com.au

*Reece is a guest contributor for Salvos Online