The subway can be rough. It's generally overcrowded and falling apart, but the volume and diversity of musicians underground is staggering. 

You can hear opera and soul singers, players of traditional instruments from around the world, electro-jazz, and buskers of all other categories. 

To play underground legally, you need to audition and acquire a busking permit, but just as many people play down there without a permit and they're normally pretty good. Sometimes there's even an impromptu dance party to Whitney Houston. 

But this unknown duo has what it takes to inspire New Yorkers to give away money. 

He's singing "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke. There's somebody in the corner picking out the notes of a few chords on an electric guitar, providing a shimmery foundation, but the gentleman singing has a special talent for soul singing. 

If you've never heard the original Sam Cooke version of this song, check it out. It's amazing, but this guy is pretty incredible. 

The video came to our attention on Reddit, though there's no information on the duo. Who are they? We want to know? We've seen this guy killin' it in Penn Station, too. Check it out!

Check out 10 Hip Hop Albums for People Who Don't Like Hip Hop. 

[via Reddit]

[Feature Image Courtesy Telegraph.UK]