Teenage singer-songwriter wins Boris Johnson’s busking competition

Josh Tenor (a.k.a Josh Owuso) from City Academy

A talented young singer-songwriter from Hackney has won a coveted prize in the Mayor of London’s biggest busking competition.

Fifteen-year-old Josh Owuso (a.k.a Josh Tenor), who studies at the City Academy in Hackney, beat off the competition to win in the youth category of Gigs. His prize was a Roland Cube Street amp.

Speaking about his recent win, the young musician said, “I am really pleased to win. I write and perform my own songs and I am now hoping to release my first EP in the new year.”

Organised by the Mayor of London, Gigs originally attracted 240 entries, with 190 acts being selected to perform live at 24 busy London locations during the summer.

The final at Westfield Stratford City shopping centre saw 18 finalists, as chosen by music industry insiders and the public, compete in three categories: overall winner, youth and groups.

Josh, who has been playing guitar and singing since he was six, was in the final of the Hackney Council’s talent show Alter Ego in January at the Hackney Empire.

At the City Academy all Year 8 students are offered the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument for free.

Principal, Mark Emmerson said, “The academy aims to not only promote academic achievement but also champion creative, linguistic, sporting and personal successes: this is what we like to call ‘The City Experience’.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “Massive congratulations to all of our Gigs winners. Over the summer, the competitors enlivened some of London’s most iconic locations with their top talent. The standard of the finalists has been extraordinarily high which was showcased at the Grand Final today.

“Gigs is all about giving stars in the making an opportunity to have their music heard by the masses, and to develop their craft. I’m very proud that many of our competitors have gone on to have marvellous success across the country and internationally. I wish the same great success to Josh and all those who took part in Gigs 2015.”