'No misunderstanding'. Zouk Singapore stopped set for 'Malaysia PM son': DJ Fila
(Photo: Aly & Fila Facebook page)
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.
