Common Works Selected Work, About, Contact
  • Name:
  • Malapropic Karaoke
  • Client:
  • Now Play This
  • Terms:
  • Installation, Design, Code
People singing karaoke with nonsense words being projected behind them

Demo

Malapropic Karaoke is a game in which participants sing a typical karaoke song but with randomly generated, nonsensical lyrics. The game was launched at Now Play This, a gaming festival at Somerset House. Attendees encountered a glittering room adorned with karaoke bar-inspired elements and took on the challenge of singing a near-homophonic version of a classic karaoke song. 

The software employs a rhyming dictionary API to generate fresh lyrics on the fly. Each time a song is selected, new lyrics are generated, meaning no two renditions are the same. The Machine randomly selects words with the correct number of syllables to ensure that the altered lyrics scan correctly and maintain the song's original rhythm. These substitutions replace the original lyrics in real time, while the rest of the UX/UI mimic a conventional karaoke machine. The words are displayed and highlighted when they need to be sung.