S'pore Busker Heckled By Man Who Demanded Christmas Songs 'Cos He "Paid For The Songs"

A busker at Clementi Mall ended up having to deal with more than just questionable song requests recently.

In an Instagram video posted on Sunday (Dec 7), Evan Goh, who works as a full-time sales trainer, shared the how a passer-by dropped money in his tip box, only to return with a list of song requests for the 37-year-old busker. 

“I dedicate my song. I paid for my song," the man was heard loudly repeating.

As Evan continued performing, the man loitered around to complain and disrupt his set, even after police officers stepped in.

“Thankfully, police were already on site due to complaints from mall security. Otherwise, I wouldn't know how else to deal with this kind of behaviour," Evan wrote in the captions.

When the officers spoke to the man, he demanded to retrieve the money he had donated, claiming he had given the busker S$2.

An elderly man on a personal mobility device noticed the commotion as well and was seen asking Evan to take care.

For context, Evan isn’t a newbie and has appeared in Battle of the Buskers, in 2023, a Mediacorp reality competition for street performers.

He finished top three among 16 acts.

According to the National Arts Council (NAC), the 400-plus endorsed buskers in Singapore must pass an audition before receiving approval to perform in public.

8days.sg has reached out to Clementi Mall and NAC for comment.

Netizens came out to slam the passer-by’s behaviour as “toxic” and “sickening”.

“His level of confidence and sense of entitlement is next level," read a comment.

This isn’t Evan’s first unpleasant encounter either.

During Chinese New Year 2024, he was heckled by a woman when he was singing Tanya Chua’s ‘Amphibian’.

Ironically, netizens were less sympathetic then, with many in the comments criticising him for choosing a slow ballad during the festive season.

Photos: evantellstories/IG

Catch Evan Battle of the Buskers on mewatch or in the video below: