There are just some street performers out there that are immensely talented but don’t have the opportunity to share their talent with a larger audience. Mike Yung, a New York subway singer, is one of those people. However, a viral video and an audition in America’s Got Talent changed his life.
The man has been singing in the city that never sleeps for roughly 37 years. Mike gave up his previous job to sing full-time in the subways with a couple of friends when he was young and has never looked back.
“I’m a subway singer. That’s my occupation.”
The man signed a contract with a record label when he was younger, but the company went bankrupt before the talented singer had the opportunity to record a couple of songs. However, singing remained his passion, so he kept on doing just that in the subway.
And even though it took almost four decades, Mike’s talent was finally seen by the whole world.
The man loves to take the passengers by storm with amazing renditions of classic songs. Mike managed to gather quite the attention when he gracefully sang ‘Unchained Melody’ by the Righteous Brothers. Of course, street artists are pretty common, especially in NYC, but Mike’s voice definitely manages to stand out.
His rendition of the song can’t be described with words, and you truly have to see the man in his element for yourself. He sings with an incredible amount of energy, passion, and precision which makes it a stunning spectacle to see. Absolutely chilling.
Commuters immediately noticed Mike and they were mesmerized by his amazing voice. The people in the area stopped to listen to the man and his band, and he often received tips.
One person even deliberately missed his train so he could keep listening!
One of the commuters in the subway filmed the 57-year-old man and posted it on social media. Because of his great voice and musical talent, it didn’t take long before the video ultimately went viral.
Mike was finally able to reach a wider audience, but it also motivated him to do something else and take it to the next level. He auditioned for America’s Got Talent and was able to share his passion with the entire country.
Mike performed his favorite song ‘Unchained Melody’ in front of the judges and the audience, and the response was overwhelming.
The New Yorker managed to win over the entire crowd with his phenomenal voice and stage presence, but more importantly, he impressed the four judges of America’s Got Talent.
Judge Simon Cowell was the first to give him a standing ovation and two thumbs up, and the rest of the judges quickly followed. Mike eventually made it to the semi-finals of the show but isn’t sad that he didn’t win the competition altogether. After all, he was able to do what he loves for a large audience, and that was more than enough for the humble singer.
“When I sing in the subway, some people don’t have money and they come and give you a hug. And some of the times, the hug is better than money, you know. That means I just made somebody’s day good,” he told in a report for America’s Got Talent.
Such an amazing performer!
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