He may not have to sit in a cubicle or wear a blah-brown suit to work, but Ian Dela Cruz still needs a bit of oomph in his career. Dela Cruz is a local Uber driver who got so bored while waiting around for customers, he decided to add a little excitement to the job in the form of a karaoke machine. Yep — he drives Charleston’s first karaoke cab.
Not only was Dela Cruz restless with Charleston’s increasingly competitive Uber market, he also just really missed going out to karaoke clubs at night. “So, I installed my own video system in the cab,” says Dela Cruz, who calls his Uber-powered gig iKaraoke Cab. “While I’m waiting for customers, I also sing karaoke for myself.”
On board with Uber since November of last year, Dela Cruz was so dedicated to his karaoke cab dream that he got rid of his Porsche. “I couldn’t use the Porsche for Uber,” he says.
But the trade was more than worth it. Since December, guests — most of whom are pleasantly surprised — have been happily piling into his souped-up 2008 Chrysler Town and Country, complete with disco lights and two karaoke screens. “Some customers are only like two blocks away from their destination, and they’ll spend an hour singing in the cab,” Dela Cruz says. “Everybody is always amazed.”
So, can you request iKaraoke Cab? Kind of. First, you have to call Dela Cruz directly, and he has to be the closest Uber driver to you.
But if the stars align, you could be singing your favorite Elton John tune with Dela Cruz — rumor has it, he’s not too shabby — in no time.
For more information, go to the iKaraoke Cab Facebook page or YouTube channel, or call Dela Cruz directly at (843) 991-2377.
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