A MUSICIAN who overcame homelessness as a teenager by busking to provide for himself is speaking out to inspire others in similar situations.

JJ Leone found himself on the street as the age of 19 after a record label failed to pay him for his work due to loopholes in the contract.

The 25-year-old, who was born in Leytonstone and grew up in Echo Heights, Chingford, comes from an itinerant family of gypsy fairground owners.

Ahead of the release of his latest single ‘With You’ on July 7, Mr Leone is working to break down misconceptions about his culture.

“I’m just trying to speak for myself, I can’t represent all the community,” he said.

“My family are very hard workers and I think it’s important for me to talk about it because gypsies have a reputation for being distrustful but you can’t tarnish them all.

“I think there’s also a preconception that anyone who is homeless has done something wrong but I met some interesting people sleeping on the street who I will never forget.

“I was lucky I had a skill that I could make some money from. I didn’t go looking for help because I felt there were others who needed it more.”

Earlier this year the musician released his first single, The Rebuild, which reached number 12 in the singer songwriter chart.

Although he could have stayed with family in London after being evicted from his home when he was unable to pay rent, Mr Leone chose to be self-sufficient.

After eight months of sleeping rough in Northampton he had raised enough money from performing to get his life back on track.

“I just thought I was a man at that age and I got myself into this situation and should get myself out,” he said.

“It was determination that got me through. I’m a headstrong person and music is the only thing I’ve really been able to do.

“For me signing a record deal when I was only 18 made me feel so lucky and I just wanted to make it.

“I didn’t sleep at night because I was scared and would only sleep a few hours during the day in a shopfront in a busy area.”

Mr Leone said although he gets his strong work ethic and love of music from his parents Chris and Clare, it was his older brother Philip Solari who inspired him to enter the industry.

Canadian-based Mr Solar is part of the duo Stranger Stranger.

Mr Leone said he would like to see others who find themselves homeless to not give up hope and keep trying to better themselves.

He added: “Even if you get rejected if you keep trying something will eventually happen. Believe in yourself.”

The Norfolk-based singer describes his music as soulful acoustic with an R&B edge. His tunes are available to purchase on iTunes.