Every corner of a bustling city holds the potential for magic, especially when the sound of a street musician’s voice or guitar catches the attention of a passerby. Busking has long been a beloved tradition, where musicians showcase their talents to anyone willing to listen. For many artists, it is not only a means of survival but also a vital part of their journey toward musical success. Some of today’s biggest stars started out on street corners or in subway stations, where they played for spare change, hoping to one day make it to the big stage. Their journeys from busking to topping the Billboard charts are not just tales of talent, but stories of perseverance, passion, and unyielding belief in their craft.
One of the most famous stories of a busker rising to stardom is that of British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. Before selling out arenas and topping charts globally, Sheeran was a humble busker, performing in the streets of London with nothing more than his guitar and a loop pedal. His early days as a street performer helped him hone his craft, pushing him to connect with audiences in an intimate and raw setting. Sheeran has often spoken about how busking taught him resilience—playing on the street means dealing with constant rejection, indifferent crowds, and tough weather conditions. But for Sheeran, every performance was a step toward his dream.
His breakthrough came after he independently released several EPs and caught the attention of people in the industry through relentless touring and online promotion. Ed Sheeran’s rise from a street performer to one of the world’s biggest pop stars is a testament to the idea that talent, when combined with relentless hard work, can eventually lead to great success. His story has inspired countless young musicians who see themselves in his early struggles, believing that if Sheeran could make it from the streets to the top of the charts, they can too.
Another artist who began her journey busking is Tones and I, the Australian singer-songwriter behind the smash hit Dance Monkey. Before her meteoric rise, Tones and I (born Toni Watson) spent her days busking on the streets of Byron Bay, playing to passersby in Australia’s coastal towns. She didn’t have an elaborate setup or big record label backing her; she simply played her songs for anyone who would listen. Tones and I has described busking as a vital part of her development as an artist, teaching her how to engage with a wide variety of people and build confidence in her performances.
In interviews, Tones and I has credited her time busking with helping her develop the unique voice and style that later captivated global audiences. She uploaded Dance Monkey to streaming platforms in 2019, and within a few months, it became a viral sensation, topping charts in over 30 countries. Her journey from the streets to Billboard charts shows how unpredictable the music industry can be—sometimes, all it takes is one song and the right moment to transform a busker into an international star.
Beyond solo artists, bands have also used busking as a launchpad for their careers. Take the case of The Lumineers, the American folk band known for hits like Ho Hey and Ophelia. Before they were selling out stadiums, the band’s founders, Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites, spent years busking in New York City, playing in parks, subway stations, and anywhere they could find an audience. Their rustic, acoustic sound lent itself perfectly to the busking lifestyle, where the rawness of their music could connect directly with listeners on a human level.
For The Lumineers, busking wasn’t just a way to make money—it was a way to test their music, refine their songwriting, and figure out what resonated with audiences. The immediacy of street performances forced them to adapt quickly and respond to what worked in real-time. When they finally released their self-titled debut album, their years of busking had shaped them into seasoned performers with a unique sound that caught the attention of the music world. Their song Ho Hey went on to become a massive hit, topping charts and earning them a place in the folk-rock revival of the 2010s.
Even music legends like Tracy Chapman started out as buskers. In the early 1980s, Chapman was a student at Tufts University in Boston, and she spent her free time busking in Harvard Square. With just her voice and acoustic guitar, she played soulful, socially conscious songs that reflected her experiences and beliefs. It was during one of these street performances that a fellow student introduced her to his father, who happened to be a music producer. This chance encounter eventually led to Chapman’s signing with a major label and the release of her debut album, Tracy Chapman, in 1988. The album became a global sensation, driven by hits like Fast Car and Talkin’ ’Bout a Revolution—songs that captured the struggles and hopes of everyday people, much like the ones she used to sing for on the streets.
Chapman’s story is a perfect example of how busking can provide a platform not just for exposure, but for creating music that speaks to the human experience in a direct and authentic way. The rawness of her street performances translated seamlessly into her recorded music, which resonated with a wide audience thanks to its sincerity and power.
Busking, at its core, is a form of storytelling. It strips away the glamour and polish of the music industry, leaving nothing but the artist, their instrument, and their audience. For musicians like Ed Sheeran, Tones and I, The Lumineers, and Tracy Chapman, busking was a way to connect with people on a personal level before they had the fame or resources to reach global audiences. The streets taught them lessons that the biggest stages in the world couldn’t: how to grab attention, how to deal with indifference, how to keep playing even when no one seems to be listening.
For many artists, busking remains a rite of passage, a test of their passion and perseverance. It is not the glamorous side of the music industry, but it is often the most rewarding. The journey from busking to the Billboard charts may seem unlikely, but for those who have walked that path, it is proof that music’s power lies not in where it is played, but in how it connects with people. Whether on a street corner or a stadium stage, the most important thing for any musician is the ability to tell a story that resonates. For those who start as buskers, every coin tossed into an open guitar case is a vote of confidence, a small step toward the day when their name might appear on the Billboard charts.
