Nationwide — A video of London-based Black pianist Camden Stewart being harassed during a street performance went viral. The three-minute clip shows Stewart calmly enduring insults from a white bystander while playing a public piano.Stewart, known for sharing videos of his public piano performances online, posted the video titled ‘did not expect this today,’ In the clip, an aggressive man repeatedly demanded Stewart stop playing.
Moments later, the heckler escalated, yelling, “F— you. Hope you die.” Despite the hostility, Stewart remained focused and finished his performance, earning applause from other spectators.
As Stewart concluded his piece, the man continued hurling insults. Ignoring the remarks, Stewart calmly walked away while another spectator approached him to offer compliments.
The video, now with over 2 million views on Facebook and Instagram, sparked outrage. Many commenters condemned the heckler’s actions, with some suggesting the behavior was fueled by jealousy and racism.
“Keep making beautiful music!!!!! He’s upset because he has no life goals and jealous that a young talented black man has all the attention, treat him like the child he is and ignore,” one viewer wrote.
“People who act this way and spew this much hatred are mad at themselves because they realize that they will never be as great as the people they attempt to destroy,” someone else said. “They lack the talent, compassion, and education required to be considered a decent human being.”
Stewart, a composer and classical pianist, has a strong online presence, boasting over 800,000 followers on Instagram, 800,000 on Facebook, and nearly 600,000 YouTube subscribers. He regularly shares videos of his performances and collaborations with other artists.