Bromley 20-year-old could be through to final of Mayor of London's busker competition

PUBLISHED: 14:17 21 August 2017 | UPDATED: 16:30 21 August 2017

Emily King

Maurice from Bromley

Archant

A Bromley busker could be through to the final of a competition run by the mayor of London.

Young musicians have been competing in a number of rounds to be named as one of the capital’s best buskers, and perform at the final in three categories: soloists and duos (aged 16-25), youth (aged 11-15) and open (aged 11-25 with up to eight members).

Twenty-year-old Maurice could be through to this final stage, competing in the soloists and duos category against 32 other competitors looking to be crowned the winner, on September 3 at Westfield London, as long as the public vote to give him one of the last two spots in the final.

He said: “For a long time I was just playing to myself in my bedroom, worried about what people would think. Over the past year or so I have really grown in confidence and taken steps to pursue my goals and dreams.

“I’ve gotten myself out there, performed at open mics, and put videos online. I also managed to meet someone who helps fund my music and has given me a lot of belief in myself - he helps manage me, and has introduced me to some great people who have helped me start producing my songs.

“Music is all I want in life. I’m 20, and in a full time sales job I don’t want to be in, due to the fact that my parents have moved to France and I need to support myself.

“Music is my way out, music is the only thing in life that keeps me believing I can be what I want to be. I need to feel happiness, and making and listening to or performing music gives me a buzz like nothing else.

“I don’t care about having a nice car or a £20,000 watch, all I want is to hear crowds of people singing my songs back to me, affecting them the way they affect me. I want to learn as much as I possibly can and be the best I can be. I want this more than anything.”

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “London is a global capital of culture and we have produced some of the world’s greatest musicians. Many of them start out by busking and our competition gives them a fantastic opportunity to showcase their work. Good luck to all those taking part.”

To vote for Maurice, click here.