Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

We Found One Of The Mystery Men Behind The CTA Bus Sing-Off

By Alex Nitkin | July 18, 2016 5:40am
 Singer Reginald Hughes got into an impromptu sing-off with another passenger aboard a CTA bus earlier this month.
Singer Reginald Hughes got into an impromptu sing-off with another passenger aboard a CTA bus earlier this month.
View Full Caption
Facebook

CHICAGO — Reginald Hughes wasn't looking for an audience when he started belting "His Eye is on the Sparrow" on a Chicago Avenue bus earlier this month. He was just in a good mood.

Hughes was on his way home from a singing gig at The Bassment, 353 W. Hubbard St., when he struck up a conversation with another musician.

Watch: 2 CTA Bus Riders Get Into Amazing And Impromptu Sing-Off (VIDEO)

"He had just gotten back from a competition, and he was feeling kind of nervous about it," Hughes said. "I asked to hear his stuff, and he said 'I'll do it if you do.' So I did."

"By the time I opened my mouth, everyone had their cameras in our faces," he added.

By the next morning, Hughes had become an anonymous social media star. Brianne Downing, the fellow rider who posted the video, identified him only as "Titus," for his resemblance in style and manner to Titus Andromedon, a character on the show "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" who had his own brush with fame.

Hughes had never had a public encounter like the impromptu show he performed on that bus, he said. Still, it wasn't out of character.

"I just love people," he said. "And with all the killing, and everything that's going on in the world, I just want to spread joy and let people know that God loves them."

And as for the comparisons to TV's Titus, Hughes said he was flattered.

"I do feel like there's a comparison there," he said, laughing.

Hughes is the lead singer of the R&B and gospel group The Reggie Hughes Experience, which performs at the Bassment every Friday.

For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: