Buskers

A busker playing the saxaphone in Grand Theft Auto IV

A busker is someone who performs in public places for money. Often considered an afterthought, such pedestrians were only introduced late in the Grand Theft Auto series, with Grand Theft Auto IV being the only game to feature them to date.

Description

Design

Buskers debuted in Grand Theft Auto IV in the form of saxophone-playing street musicians commonly spotted in affluent portions of Liberty City in Broker, Dukes and Algonquin, mostly in various parks, subway stations and waterfronts. Evidently having only a saxophone as a music instrument, the Busker will only play songs that may also be heard on the Jazz Nation Radio 108.5 radio station. In most of his appearances, the busker is depicted with a buttoned up brown trench coat, and his music can easily be heard within hearing distance, a hint he is near the player.

The busker is voiced by Walter Houser.

Behavior

When standing close to a busker, the player has the option of giving him $10, restoring the player's health and receiving an expression of gratitude from the busker, in the form of a simple "thank you". However, should be player push the busker, he may stop playing, drop his music instrument and respond unfavorably to the player. Running pass a busker in close proximity will also force him to drop his saxophone and walk away. Unlike many minor items dropped by pedestrians, the player cannot pick up a busker's dropped saxophone.

Ringtone

After giving the busker $10 multiple times, the player will eventually receive the instrumental ringtone "St. Thomas" for their mobile. This is one of the songs the busker plays and is also featured on the radio station Jazz Nation Radio 108.5.