Ed Sheeran Surprises Subway Singer Mike Yung As He’s Performing His Song

Apr 12, 2023

Ed Sheeran is an English singer-songwriter known for his heartfelt lyrics, soulful voice and unique blend of acoustic and electronic sounds. Born on Feb. 17, 1991, in Halifax, West Yorkshire, Sheeran began playing the guitar at a young age and quickly developed a passion for music. He grew up in a musical family, as his father was an art lecturer and a composer.

Sheeran’s early musical influences included Irish folk music and hip-hop, which he listened to while performing in local venues around his hometown. After moving to London to pursue a career in music, Sheeran was discovered by Jamie Foxx. 

In 2011, Sheeran released his debut album “+,” which showcased his signature style of combining acoustic guitar and electronic beats with his poignant and introspective lyrics. The album’s lead single, “The A Team,” became a massive hit and earned him international recognition.

Sheeran continued to release chart-topping albums and singles, including “x,” “÷” and “No. 6 Collaborations Project,” which featured collaborations with artists such as Justin Bieber, Cardi B and Bruno Mars. In addition to his solo career, Sheeran has written songs for other artists, including One Direction and Taylor Swift.

The musician is also known for being a stand-up guy, who has on numerous occasions made a positive impact on people's lives, including surprise visits to hospitals and other locations.

In April 2023, Sheeran surprised someone who is a big fan of his and a fellow musician. New York City busker Mike Yung has earned a name for himself performing in the city's subway stations and also appeared on "America's Got Talent" in 2017. While Yung was performing one of Sheeran's songs in a subway station, the English singer gave him the surprise of his life.

Yung may not be as well known as Sheeran, but he certainly has a following of his own. For years, the singer has built up a reputation for his soulful singing in the city's subway stations. He went viral thanks to a 2016 video of him singing the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody." It brought Yung lots of attention, and he even appeared on "The Late Late Show With James Corden."

The well-known busker has an equally incredible backstory. He was once signed to a label owned by writer and producer Teddy Vann, but unfortunately for him, the company went under before he could record his album. That is when he decided to take his voice to the subway, according to TVOM.

He performed there for more than 38 years, and after the video of him singing in 2016 gained internet fame, Yung auditioned for "America's Got Talent" in 2017 and made it on the show. Thanks to his beautiful voice, he was able to make it to the semi-final round. The judges absolutely adored his voice just as much as his fans did!

It seems that Sheeran is no different and is just as much a fan of Yung as the busker is of him. Yung has performed many of Sheeran's songs, including "Thinking Out Loud," which he sang on "AGT." 

When Yung was singing Sheeran's new song "Eyes Closed" on the platform at Church Avenue subway station in April 2023, you can imagine his surprise when Sheeran casually walked up behind him and started harmonizing! In a video posted to social media, Yung was deep in song when Sheeran appeared from behind a structural pole and joined him on the platform.

Instantly, Yung turned around and couldn't hold back his smile as he gave the English singer a high-five and hugged him. The musicians kept on singing a bit longer before Sheeran gave Yung two tickets to his concert in Brooklyn on April 10, 2023. Yung posted photos of the tickets on his Instagram, as well as live footage of the show. 

Fans couldn't hold back their joy in the comments. One person wrote, "Thats the Best they should write a song together!" Meanwhile, another said, "This is awesome can we get a YouTube concert." There's no lack of talent between these two men, so after this meeting, who knows whether their next interaction will be a musical endeavor together!?

Currently touring ahead of his upcoming album "–," Sheeran opened up recently and admitted he almost gave up music after an incredibly difficult period in his personal life. He wrote on Instagram:

"Within the space of a month, my pregnant wife got told she had a tumour, with no route to treatment until after the birth. My best friend Jamal, a brother to me, died suddenly, and I found myself standing in court defending my integrity and career as a songwriter. I was spiralling through fear, depression and anxiety. I felt like I was drowning, head below the surface, looking up but not being able to break through for air."

Sheeran opened up to Today about nearly giving up on music:

"It wasn’t retiring, but it was retiring from giving a f***. ... I wasn’t necessarily wanting to step away from music, but I was definitely wanting to step away from it being a professional hobby."

It seems Sheeran took his pain and poured his heart into "–," which is due out in May 2023.

Are you a fan of Ed Sheeran? What do you think about his surprise meeting with Mike Yung? If you enjoyed this, pass it on to any fans of theirs you know!