'No misunderstanding'. Zouk Singapore stopped set for 'Malaysia PM son': DJ Fila
Yahoo Singapore
8 March 2016
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/no-misunde...050429414.html
https://www.facebook.com/alyandfila/...4377191499239/
Aly & Fila
The start of a great night that didn't end so well:
First of all Zouk Singapore has been one of my favorite clubs in the world, so sad that my last time playing there ended this way. Before you go through my statement plz remember that I can't blame Zouk in general as there are a lot of great people working there from audio engineer to VJs etc....
I will make it really easy and clear with a list of facts:
1-my contracted set time was 1:30 - 3:30
2-Zouk's new owner was hosting a "VIP" guest (the Malaysian PM son)
3-I arrived at Zouk at 1:00 am and had a quick interview.
4-Byden who works for Zouk and who takes care of the artists and the night in general told me I can play until the end. I can finish 4:15 and then play an extra 15 minutes more.
5-I went to the DJ booth they introduced me to the the "VIP Guest" and the new owner of Zouk.
6-started my set at 1:40
7-at 3:30 Byden came to me and asked me if I m willing to play back 2 back with that "VIP" guest and my answer was simple:"no way"
8-I continued playing then 15 mins after Byden came to me and he told me that I will have to stop as the new owner wants the "VIP guest" to play.
There was no misunderstanding!!! And instead of apologizing, Zouk keeps posting those lame statements and articles trying to get away with it.
My advice to Zouk:
1-never disrespect artists who helped you build your brand. I m not saying I built their brand, just talking in general. They need to respect their residents and local talents and their international guests.
2-try to fire your new owner smile emoticon
3-fire the PR team
4-admitting your mistake is Brave, but you aren't.
I did what I did to defend my right as a human being not as a famous DJ or whatever. I was insulted and I reacted. I didn't expect that it would go viral like that, but this is what I call Karma. I just wanted to let our fans who payed money to see me know the reason why I stopped my set and I didn't play the 3 hours like every time I have been there.
That's it!
Fadi Wassef aka Fila from Aly & Fila
Aly & Fila DJ Fadi Wassef has responded to Zouk Singapore’s statement that it did not ask him to cut short his set at the club on Saturday (5 March), accusing the club of posting “lame statements and articles” and “trying to get away with it”.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday (8 March), Fadi gave his version of events, adding that he did not blame Zouk in general as “there are a lot of great people working there”.
The Egyptian DJ said his contracted set time was from 1.30am to 3.30am, but he had been told by a member of Zouk’s staff named Byden that he could play until the end at 4.15am and an extra 15 minutes more.
Fadi said he was introduced to a “‘VIP’ guest (the Malaysian PM son)”, reportedly Norashman Najib, the son of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, and the new owner of Zouk.
At 3.30am, Byden asked Fadi if he would be willing to play back to back with the VIP guest, but he answered, “No way”. Fadi said he continued to play for another 15 minutes before Byden told him he had to stop as the new owner wanted the “VIP guest” to play.
Fadi’s response was caught on video, where he said he was asked to stop because of someone who “is the son of a prime minister”. The video has since gone viral.
Yahoo Singapore understands that Norashman is a fan of trance music and has played at dance music events in Kuala Lumpur.
In response to Yahoo Singapore’s queries on Monday, Zouk’s head of marketing and events Sofie Chandra said “pertaining to Aly & Fila’s gig at Zouk on Saturday night, Zouk would like to clarify that DJ Fadi (Fila) was not at any point of time asked to end his set prematurely before the contracted set end time of 3.30am”.
Zouk Singapore’s statement on Facebook Monday said the same thing, adding, “Zouk has constantly held our invited artists in esteem and respect their works. We understand that this incident has resulted in some discontent and disappointment but would like to give the assurance that Zouk will continue to value the importance and presence of all artists and our customers, and their interests.”
An earlier Facebook post from the club said the incident was “all over a misunderstanding”.
“There was no misunderstanding!!!” Fadi posted in response. “And instead of apologising, Zouk keeps posting those lame statements and articles trying to get away with it.”
“I did what I did to defend my right as a human being not as a famous DJ or whatever. I was insulted and I reacted. I didn’t expect that it would go viral like that, but this is what I call Karma,” Fadi said.
“I just wanted to let our fans who payed [sic] money to see me know the reason why I stopped my set and I didn’t play the 3 hours like every time I have been there,“ he concluded.