#zoukdjs

‘’Feeling inspired by this magical moment, I eventually decided to embark my career as a DJ.’’

I first came to Zouk as a clubber when I was 18 and Andrew Chow was spinning at Zouk main room. At the time I was also beginning to learn to DJ. I was extremely intrigued, almost in awe! The music was so loud & clear. The energy it brought the crowd was immense! In return, the crowd partied & danced hard. Feeling inspired by this magical moment, I eventually decided to embark my career as a DJ. Fast forward to 2015, I started to get ad hoc DJ gigs at Zouk & finally in 2016, I was appointed as a Zouk resident DJ. The best feeling ever was to have a completion to my journey - from the place that inspired me to pursue my passion to now, working and contributing to it. The collage photo above was me DJ-ing 7 years ago when I just started; and in 2015 when I got my first Zouk gig.

This brown-ish photo shows me finally feeling in one with my element in year 2016.

“ This was where I found true love….a dream job, a beautiful wife, lifelong friends and unadulterated aural pleasure. “

 I was drawn to music ever since I was young. In 1991, I was super stoked about the opening of a new club pushing forward thinking dance music called House music. No local clubs played that sort of music at that time. This new revolutionary club was Zouk.

Back in the days, there was nothing like Zouk. I was immediately hooked from the get go. This was where I expanded my mind. I was busting my sweaty moves on the podium every exhilarating weekend to the futuristic beats of top international or local resident DJs. I was already buying dance records at that time so it was a natural progression for me to pick up DJ-ing. Using money I saved up, I got myself a cheap pair of second-hand turntables and mixer. There was no YouTube and places to learn how to DJ so, it was all pretty much self-taught.

In 1996, I graduated from my studies and was offered an opportunity to join Zouk as a resident DJ. Just before this, I recommended a talented SIA air-steward/ part-time mobile disco DJ to join the club, he is Aldrin. Although I accepted the offer, my residency in Zouk did not last long. I thought Zouk might be like the many clubs that come and go. Furthermore, I also have a Honours degree and disappointed parents to deal with so, I left  the club for a day job and became a typical Singaporean. In late 2007, Aldrin called and asked if I was still interested to join Zouk. The rest was history. Started from the podium, now I am in the DJ booth. You can say that my entire adult life practically revolved around Jiak Kim Street. This was where I found true love….a dream job, a beautiful wife, lifelong friends and unadulterated aural pleasure. Respects to the founder, Lincoln Cheng - for creating Zouk and thus, giving me a life.

Dear Zouk,

I am in love with you. For that, I regularly question my judgement. Aren’t you just a business? And aren’t businesses meant to just generate profit? How did I, a living, breathing, human entity, end up falling in love with an abandoned warehouse? You lured me in with the promise of fun. I was 18 and you were beautiful. I was immediately hooked. Perhaps it was just a case of young love. Misguided infatuation. As I approach the 26th year of my existence, I now know for sure that, no, it was definitely not. As I got to know you, I realized that behind this polished exterior, lies a beautiful soul. Isn’t it strange how a business can have a soul? Most businesses are devoid of soul, devoid of love. But you did. You did because of your people, because of your tribe. You reflected and embodied the people who have contributed to your legacy. They were beautiful, and thus, so were you. They cared, and thus, so did you. They loved, and thus, we loved too. You were a club, but now you are an institution. You were a business, but now you are family. You were an abandoned warehouse, but now you are home. Here’s to 25 years of you, to a quarter century of memories, and to the bonds that will last a lifetime. One World, One Music, One Tribe, One Dance.

“Singapore clubbing industry would never be the same without Lincoln & Zouk.”

My special thanks and deepest gratitude to Lincoln - Singapore’s Godfather of House music. Thank you for introducing me to House music; giving me an opportunity in 2000 that paved the way for my DJ career which I adore; nurturing and giving me opportunity to share my music internationally including playing in renowned clubs like Ministry of Sound, Green Valley, Pacha & Space Ibiza. Singapore clubbing industry would never be the same without Lincoln & Zouk.