S1E17: How rapper Abangsapau’s difficult childhood shaped the songs on debut album

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3d ago 32:35

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Hear from home-grown rapper Abangsapau, one of the Singapore hip-hop scene’s most promising young rappers.

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.

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.

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):

2:46 How he got the name Abangsapau, and what it means

5:36 How talking back to his teachers led to him winning public speaking competitions

7:33 On his difficult childhood, experiences with substance abuse, family issues and witnessing his mother's struggle with depression

15:53 Sharing his experiences through his music led to a fan overcoming suicidal ideations

18:26 He wrote over 300 love songs when he was still juggling his former day job at a hospital

24:00 Performing with his mother at the 2020 NDP

27:18 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: https://str.sg/fwvW

Discover home-grown artiste Abangsapau at:

YouTube: https://str.sg/oGhpp

Spotify: https://str.sg/KwtC

Instagram: https://str.sg/DSEN

Read Eddino Hadi's articles: https://str.sg/wFVa

Host: Eddino Abdul Hadi ([email protected])

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:

Channel: https://str.sg/7m92

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/w9TB

Spotify: https://str.sg/w9T6

Feedback to: [email protected]

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

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The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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Chapters

1. How rapper Abangsapau’s difficult childhood shaped the songs on debut album (00:00:00)

2. How he got the name Abangsapau (00:02:46)

3. From defiance to public speaking winner (00:05:36)

4. Youth, family issues, and mother's depression (00:07:33)

5. His music helped a fan fight suicidal thoughts (00:15:53)

6. Wrote 300 love songs while at hospital job (00:18:26)

7. Performing with his mother at the 2020 NDP (00:24:00)

8. Hopes SG backs local artists and their music (00:27:18)

2118 episodes

#News #News Talk #Politics #ST Podcast team #Straits Times