Karaoke singer habits are changing in 2026, and fast
For decades, karaoke culture was built on a familiar promise. A tight rotation of the top 100 classics, only small shifts year to year, and crowd-pleasers like Tennessee Whiskey doing most of the heavy lifting. If people were singing along, why change it?
But today, something different is happening. And at Singa, we’re seeing it in the data every single day. From underrated classics to the newest hits or viral moments, people are singing a larger variety of songs than ever before!
From timeless classics to limitless choice
Historically, karaoke providers focused on depth where it felt safe. A handful of legendary hits dominated charts globally, even as music tastes outside karaoke evolved rapidly. That gap is now closing.
Music culture itself has changed, especially for younger generations. Gen Z listeners consistently value choice and personal relevance over mass popularity, with Spotify’s Culture Next research showing that Gen Z listeners are significantly more likely to explore niche genres, non-English music, and emerging artists compared to older generations.
This shift is also visible at an industry level. According to the IFPI Global Music Report, streaming has accelerated the fragmentation of listening habits, with more artists being discovered and fewer songs dominating global charts year over year. In other words, music consumption is becoming more niche, more local, and more personal.
People don’t just want the hits anymore. They want their hits. This is exactly where traditional karaoke catalogs fall short.
More songs, more languages, more people singing
At Singa, Originals have reshaped what karaoke can be. Now karaoke isn't just limited to remakes but now you can sing along to the actual songs.
By prioritising full artist catalogs through deals with major records alongside indie releases through our deals with Believe and Merlin deal, we’ve dramatically expanded both quality and selection. Instead of just the hits, singers now have access to the songs they actually listen to day to day.
This shift matters. When people are given real choice, they use it
We now produce more songs in more languages than any other karaoke provider. Thousands of new tracks are added every month, and by mid-2026 we expect to exceed 10,000 new songs produced monthly.
Just as important, we’re actively supporting languages that have historically been underserved in karaoke. That means more people seeing themselves reflected on screen, and more local hits getting their moment.
Proof that singers want something new
One of the clearest signs of change is how quickly newer songs can now rise to the top.
When WAP was released, it became the #1 karaoke song in the US, Australia, and United Kingdom for several months, an unthinkable outcome in the old karaoke model. More recently, Lose Control by Teddy Swims climbing to #1 in the US after being released as an original, outperforming long-time staples almost overnight.
So what does this tell us? People aren’t stuck in the past. They’re excited to sing what feels current, relevant, and emotionally fresh.
Local trends tell an even bigger story
At a local level, the impact of Originals becomes even more striking.
In the UK, Fairytale of New York surpassed Last Christmas for the first time in Singa history after being released as an Original. Take On Me became the most sung song in the country last year, despite not appearing in the UK top 10 previously. The difference? Availability, quality, and timing.
Zoom in further to city-level data, and you start seeing local artists gaining traction. These are songs that would never have made it into a traditional karaoke catalog, now finding real audiences.
Isn’t that what karaoke was always meant to be?
What comes next for karaoke
As we release more and more Original versions of songs, karaoke charts will continue to shift. The dominance of a fixed global top 10 will fade, replaced by a more dynamic, local, and language-rich ecosystem.
Singa is proud to be leading this transformation, not just by following trends, but by actively building the future of karaoke and entertainment.
Curious how this evolution can impact your venue and your guests? Learn more about Singa Business and see how better content drives better nights.
The classics will always have their place. But the future of karaoke? It’s already here, and it’s sounding better than ever. 🎤