A casual office karaoke night has rapidly transformed into a minefield of potential racial faux pas, as the well-meaning but misguided People & Culture Manager, David Whitfield (26), selected Kanye West & Jay-Z’s 2011 hit ‘Ni**as In Paris’ as his song of choice.

An array of easygoing karaoke hits appeared to lull the office into a false sense of security, as the clock ticked over into the evening hours. The managing partner of Fleming McGrath & Reiffel, Mark Ricketson (58), had begun with a spirited performance of ‘Livin’ On A Prayer,’ before handing the microphone over for a whole-team rendition of ‘Africa.’

And as the Peroni’s began to flow, and inhibitions began to disappear, the night seemed destined to make a crash-landing on the island of ‘wholesome fun.’ Until David took the microphone.

A self-described ‘rap aficionado,’ many were expecting David to repeat the antics of the 2017 Christmas In July party, wherein his fiery attempt at ‘Ice, Ice, Baby’ was met with equal parts laughter and applause. But tonight, as his chubby fingers punched out the actual N-word, the tone shifted sharply, and one question grew to the forefront of the alcohol-soaked minds of those present.

‘Is he going to sing it word-for-word?’

At press time, with the humorous sample from Blades Of Glory commencing proceedings, there is a certain look of unabashed confidence in David’s eyes that does not bode well.

More to come on this pressing issue.