Even if you’re not one to attend busking sessions on the weekends, the name Jeff Ng should probably ring a bell or two in your head.
Yes, the Jeff Ng.
After shooting to fame due to his Mandopop busking outside the Cathay building, Ng, who began busking in 2018, immediately became Singapore’s most beloved busker, with thousands turning up every weekend just to support him and enjoy his singing.
However, while this was the peak of his career, it soon came crumbling down after a series of accusations against him were released by an ex-girlfriend.
On top of that, audiences who had seen him perform both online and in person also said that the 32-year-old busker was extremely rude.
However, now, a few months after the scandals first broke out, it seems like Ng is finally ready to address the scandals and his point of view, for he took on an interview with The Straits Times for the first time since the various accusations were released.
But before we dive into the actual interview, here’s all you need to know about his scandals if you’ve forgotten about what’s been revealed thus far:
Basically, he was apparently emotionally abusive and unfaithful towards his ex-girlfriend of three years, unprofessional during gigs and basically demanded audience members to keep quiet during his performances.
According to various netizens, he also direct messaged (DMed) Instagram users who had unfollowed him to interrogate them as to why they decided to unfollow him.
In the music industry, several other musicians also revealed that they have tried to not work with him due to his “unprofessional” behaviour.
With all his dirty laundry being exposed to everyone, Ng issued an apology for his past actions and said that he was “young and reckless” when he was in his 20s.
His wife, who has been married to him for a year, also stood up for her husband and said that he was a “changed man”.
However, this did not stop Ng from calling off his performances outside the Cathay building after the scandals were made known. He cancelled all of his performances, saying that the reason behind doing so was due to the rise in COVID-19 cases.
Upcoming Gig at Golden Village Planned Before Rumours Started
And for those who’ve been quietly following along all this while despite Ng’s low profile since the rumours started, you probably know that Ng’s holding a concert at Golden Village soon next week on 9 September.
(Yes, it’s not clickbait. You see, even cats know about the concert.)
Prior to this concert, Ng also performed at the National Day Picnic By The Bay show at Gardens by the Bay, as well as for an anniversary concert with the Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra.
For this time, the “music showcase”, which will be taking place at the Golden Village Cinema at VivoCity, will last for 90 minutes before the autograph session, which will last for an hour.
The concert, which is part of Golden Village’s “Lights, Camera, Busking Live!” event, is also in collaboration with the Buskers’ Association in Singapore.
Tickets were priced at $20 each, and all 600 of them were snapped up within just two days.
However, when the tickets were first launched earlier this month, many netizens were sceptical of Golden Village’s choice of performer and others made fun of the concert as well. (Which clearly didn’t stop the attendees from buying the tickets.)
It was then revealed that Golden Village had initially contacted Ng in June to invite him to perform, and this was before any of his scandals had broken out.
However, the cinema still decided to stand on his side even after the scandals, which is why Ng still has the chance to perform for his supporters now.
With regards to his upcoming performance, Ng reiterated during his 90-minute interview session in Chinese that fame and money are not what’s most important to him.
Instead, he hopes to “show appreciation and give back” to his supporters who still want to watch him perform after the past few months, and who have patiently waited for a chance to watch him all this while.
As for what he’ll be performing on the actual day, Ng shared that he will be performing “To Write An Imperfect Song”, which is the newest song that he has written.
On top of that, part of the concert will also be dedicated to fulfilling his fans’ song requests since he “always takes song requests” when busking.
Currently Committing Himself to Change, Will Continue Trying in the Music Industry Until He is 35
However, during the interview, he also shared that he cried after watching videos of him from the past and thought about whether or not he had let his music mentors down.
He then said that he is currently committing himself to change in hopes of becoming both a better person and musician who will be accepted by the public, but also acknowledged that the final say is up to the listeners and audience in Singapore.
Ng mentioned that he will continue trying until he is 35, and that he will continue to sing if the audience recognises him as a changed person and is keen on having him promote Singapore music on a global scale.
If not, he will return to producing music behind the scenes.
Lost Sponsorships, but “Doesn’t Blame Anyone”
Apart from that, Ng also touched on how he actually lost several sponsorships and gigs after the scandals started, with one of the sponsors claiming a laptop back just one day after they gave it to him.
Despite the negative progression of his career since the news broke out, he claimed that he does not blame anyone for what happened and that “he understands”.
Ng then explained that he is unable to “force” audience members who stopped liking him to be fans of him again since everyone has their own preferences, and that he is grateful for both the good and bad since the “good” has allowed people to support him while the “bad” has let him grow.
Admits to Having Low EQ
When asked about the various claims and rumours that have spread over the last few months, Ng said that he would like to let bygones be bygones while he plans for the future.
However, he also acknowledged that he has many flaws, and that these flaws were extremely apparent when he was in his 20s.
He recalled how he was extremely particular and was a perfectionist while performing, and that he needed to “hear himself” whenever he sang.
Ng added that in the past, he would be at a loss of what to do if he was not able to hear himself while performing and did not know whether he should inform the bar owner, sound man or the audience.
Despite that, he claimed that such thoughts were not excuses for his actions, and criticised his own inability to compromise when he was younger.
He also said that he does not have high EQ and that he was used to doing things alone in the past, but has since realised the negative impacts of doing so.
Claims that He Has “Changed”
During the interview, Ng added that he has “changed”, and this includes not telling audience members to keep quiet during his future performances.
He shared that he did not do so either when he performed at Gardens by the Bay even though there were many children in the area who were noisy as he was focused on the short amount of time that he has on stage.
Ng then expressed his gratitude for his supporters and people who have guided him to take the “right direction”, and harped on how he has a “change in mindset” that is focused on just his own performance now.
“Does Not Want to” Pursue Fame
As for whether or not Ng’s career will reach a new high in the future, Ng said that he is currently “wary” about fame and that he “does not want to” chase after it.
He mentioned how he prayed at his neighbourhood’s temple in June to ask the gods for successful busking sessions, but asked them to take the fame back in July after saying that he has experienced some of it already.
On the other hand, with regards to whether or not he will return to the Cathay building to conduct more busking sessions, he jokingly said that he would probably “pack up and go” if he saw a thousand people gathered outside the area to hear him sing due to being “fame-shy”.
Featured Image: Instagram (@jeffhellomusic)