Music Lab Podcast
Rapper Abangsapau gets brutally honest on substance abuse and more in debut album
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Hear from home-grown rapper Abangsapau, one of the Singapore hip-hop scene’s most promising young rappers.
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Synopsis (headphones recommended): The Straits Times invites music acts to its podcast studio.
In this special episode of Music Lab, ST’s music correspondent Eddino Abdul Hadi hosts one of the Singapore hip-hop scene’s most promising young rappers, Abangsapau.
Known for his trademark sarong, he made his debut in 2019, and in the following year, performed at the 2020 National Day Parade (NDP). He is currently signed to Def Jam Recordings South East Asia, the regional wing of the iconic American hip-hop music label.
The 26-year-old has just put out his self-titled debut album, a 14-track release filled with brutally honest recollections of the experiences that shaped him into the person that he is today.
Singaporean rapper Abangsapau performing at Esplanade Annexe Studio.
ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
The rapper, who also performed at the 2025 NDP, did not have an easy childhood and had to deal with issues such as a broken family, substance abuse and bullying.
But as he discusses in the podcast, it is important for him to be as authentic as he can with his music, as it helps him connect with, and empower his audience.
From left: Abangsapau, Singaporean rapper and songwriter, and Eddino Abdul Hadi, Music Lab host.
ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
This episode was recorded and filmed in front of a live audience of some 90 ST readers on October 7 at Esplanade Annexe Studio, as part of the ST Podcast Live! Sessions celebrating 180 years of The Straits Times in 2025.
Highlights (click/tap above):
0:10 Live performance of wow.
2:47 Live performance of selamat, sayang
9:29 How he got the name Abangsapau, and what it means
12:19 How talking back to his teachers led to him winning public speaking competitions
14:15 On his difficult childhood, experiences with substance abuse, family issues and witnessing his mother’s struggle with depression
22:36 Sharing his experiences through his music led to a fan overcoming suicidal ideations
25:08 He wrote over 300 love songs when he was still juggling his former day job at a hospital
31:09 Performing with his mother at the 2020 NDP
33:59 His hope for a future where Singaporeans are proud of their local artists and support the local music scene
Listen to Abangsapau’s live performance of wow. and selamat, sayang here:
Discover home-grown artiste Abangsapau at:
Produced by: ST Podcast Team & ST Outreach & Engagement Team
Edited by: Amirul Karim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong
Discover previous artistes’ live performances featured on Music Lab Podcast:
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