Busking on the subway is so played out. In Brooklyn the real action is in Dollar Van Demos, a traveling talent showcase for rappers, singers and comedians that also doubles as cheap ride for people living in neighborhoods under-served by mass transit. The van’s breakout star is easily Joya Bravo, a Queens-born, Atlanta-raised performer who recently joined The Roots on stage during a jam session at the Highline Ballroom.
If the above video of Joya belting out her song “Superstar” over The Ting Tings’ track “That’s Not My Name” doesn’t win you over, watch as she busts out a violin during her version of Lil Wayne’s “A Milli”:
She’s totally in a McDonald’s commercial.