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The Dispossessed: Busker of the Year gives his profits from debut single to our campaign
Louise Jury, Chief Arts Correspondent28 Jul 2010
Busker Jamie West is giving the first month's profits from his debut single to the Evening Standard's Dispossessed appeal.
The singer, the inaugural Young Busker of the Year, is being backed by his record label, Polymorph, which is also donating its own proceeds from the aptly-named Give Me Everything You Got for the next four weeks.
West, 24, from Tooting, said: "My experience of busking tells me Londoners are pretty generous. Hopefully donating the profits from sales of my single will help raise awareness so these less fortunate people can get a bit of help."
The situation in London needs urgent attention, he said. "In two years when we host the Olympics we need to show the world we won't stand for people who work hard still living below the poverty line."
He added: "It costs less than £1 to download, but if enough people show their support we'll make a real impact."
West released his single last Monday a year after winning the competition run by Mayor Boris Johnson which secured him a licence to busk on the Tube.
* Give Me Everything You Got is available on iTunes. www.jamiewest.net. You can buy Jamie's song by texting "TRACK JAMIE" to 80818 (text cost £1) or to download to your phone, text "TRACK JAMIE M". Download to mobile does not work on iPhone. Mobile data charges may apply.
Click here to make a donation to the Dispossessed Fund
