Rapping at karaoke is the boldest move in the building. Nail it and the room goes wild; lose the beat and the words fly past on screen without you. The trick is to choose rap songs for karaoke that match your flow and to build up from there. Below are Naija and international picks graded from beginner to boss level.

Why rap is harder than it looks

Singing gives you long notes to hide in. Rap gives you nowhere to hide. You are dealing with speed, breath and rhythm all at once, often in Pidgin, Yoruba, Igbo or fast English. The good news: you do not need a great singing voice. Rap rewards confidence and timing, which you can practise.

Tip: radio edits exist for a reason. Many rap songs have explicit lyrics, so think about the room before you pick one.

Level 1: Beginner-friendly

Steady tempos, catchy hooks and enough space to breathe.

  • Shakiti Bobo – Olamide: a bouncy street-hop favourite. The hook does a lot of the work, so the crowd will help you.
  • This Is Nigeria – Falz: slow, clear delivery and a message everyone recognises. Great for performing with attitude.
  • Soft Work – Falz: playful and relaxed. Falz's comic timing is more important than speed.
  • Zanku (Legwork) – Zlatan: high energy and chant-heavy. Expect the table to dance while you rap.
  • Rapper's Delight – The Sugarhill Gang: old-school and steady, though long. Share it with a friend.

Level 2: Getting serious

  • Oleku – Ice Prince ft. Brymo: a smooth, mid-tempo classic. Let a singer friend take the Brymo hook.
  • Ghost Mode – Phyno ft. Olamide: Igbo and Yoruba trading verses. Perfect for two friends from different backgrounds.
  • Fada Fada – Phyno ft. Olamide: confident and chantable, with a hook the room knows.
  • Shoki – Lil Kesh: fast street energy, but the repetition makes it learnable.
  • Jaga Jaga – Eedris Abdulkareem: a bold throwback with a famous message. Delivery and conviction matter most.
  • Gangsta's Paradise – Coolio ft. L.V.: moody and mid-tempo; the hook gives you a break.
  • California Love – 2Pac ft. Dr. Dre: a party anthem with a laid-back flow.

Level 3: Boss level

Only for people who have rehearsed in the shower at least ten times.

  • Local Rappers – Reminisce ft. Olamide & Phyno: three verses, three styles. Ideal as a three-person challenge.
  • Crowd Mentality – M.I Abaga: dense, clever lyrics that reward real preparation.
  • Declan Rice – Odumodublvck: gritty, rhythmic and very current. Energy over everything.
  • Bling – Blaqbonez ft. Amaarae & Buju: a mix of rap and melody; split it with singers.
  • Juicy – The Notorious B.I.G.: laid-back but wordy. Breath control is everything.
  • Super Bass – Nicki Minaj: the fast verse is a real test; the chorus is a reward.
  • Lose Yourself – Eminem: the final boss. Long, fast and relentless. Respect if you finish it.

Curious about where Nigerian rap came from? The Nigerian hip hop page on Wikipedia is a good starting point.

How to rap at karaoke without losing the beat

  1. Learn the first verse by heart. Karaoke screens can lag behind fast rap, so memory beats reading.
  2. Nod to the beat before you start. Lock in the rhythm with your head or foot during the intro.
  3. Plan your breaths. Mark the spots in the verse where you can grab air, usually at the end of a bar.
  4. If you fall behind, skip ahead. Drop a few words and rejoin on the next line. Never stop completely.
  5. Bring a hype man. A friend shouting the ad-libs and the hook fills any gaps and doubles the fun.
  6. Perform with your body. Rap is half attitude. Move, point at your squad and own it.

Testing your flow at Shaunz

Shaunz Karaoke Bar in Victoria Island has karaoke every day from 4pm till midnight, free entry and over 50,000 songs on the touch-screen request system, so street-hop and old-school hip hop sit right alongside the ballads. A weeknight is a good time to practise; a Saturday All Stars night with your friends is the time to show off. Check the weekly lineup to pick your night.

Bring the crew and turn it into a cypher: our list of group karaoke songs gives you good warm-ups. Between verses, a cold Trophy, Heineken or Desperados keeps you going; the full drinks list is on the menu. If you are still nervous about the mic, see how to choose the right song for your voice first.

Ready to drop a verse? Reserve a table and your first drink is free.

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Frequently asked questions

What is an easy Naija rap song for karaoke?
This Is Nigeria by Falz and Shakiti Bobo by Olamide are good starting points thanks to their steady tempo and strong hooks.
What is the hardest rap song to do at karaoke?
Lose Yourself by Eminem is famously demanding because of its length and pace. Crowd Mentality by M.I Abaga is a strong Naija contender.
Can I rap at karaoke if I cannot sing?
Yes. Rap relies on rhythm and confidence more than vocal tone, so it can be a great choice for people who do not consider themselves singers.
Does Shaunz have Nigerian rap songs?
With over 50,000 songs available, most popular Nigerian rap and street-hop hits are on the system. Search by artist on the touch screen.