Latest news with #WE4U2CLiveInConcert
New Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Nineties girl group Res2 to perform in 4U2C concert
KUALA LUMPUR: Popular 1990s all-girl pop act Res2 will return as guest artistes for 1990s hip-hop and pop group 4U2C's concert next September. Datin Emylia Rosnaida, wife and manager of 4U2C's lead singer Datuk AC Mizal, revealed in an interview with Harian Metro yesterday that Res2 would be the main guest star at the "WE 4U2C Live In Concert" on Sept 15 at the Idea Live Arena in Petaling Jaya. Emylia, 49, highlighted Res2's immense popularity in the 1990s as a pioneering all-girl hip-hop group in the country. "Res2 are very energetic dancers, much like 4U2C, and were often described as their female counterparts," she explained. "What's more, in 2020, 4U2C had planned a concert in Singapore and Res2 were suggested as the guest artistes." That concert in Singapore, however, did not materialise due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent Movement Control Order (MCO). Res2 was formed in 1992 with Erin, Baby Arin, Ezza, Yati, and Wati as its founding members. "I recently met Baby Arin to discuss the 4U2C concert, and she subsequently talked it over with her bandmates," Emylia shared. "After three days, Baby Arin informed me that they all agreed to make a comeback." Emylia also expressed her relief that the recent controversy involving 4U2C and songwriter Man Senoi had finally been resolved. "We want to put on a memorable concert, not just for our longtime fans but also for their children who might not have heard about 4U2C and Res2," Emylia said.
New Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Ajai apologises for statement on recent 4U2C controversy
KUALA LUMPUR: Acclaimed composer Ajai has issued an apology for his recent statement regarding the 4U2C pop group controversy. The dispute centres on copyright issues related to songs the group intends to perform at their upcoming "WE 4U2C Live In Concert" show. In an Instagram post yesterday, Ajai, whose real name is Mohamad Faizal Maas, 50, explained that his apology stemmed from a sense of responsibility for the confusion caused by the controversy. "I refer to my recent statement on the concert by 4U2C. I would like to apologise if my statement was misconstrued or offended certain parties," he wrote. He further clarified that he was not against any individual who performs, writes, or composes music, and expressed his support for all those involved in the creation and performance of music by others. Ajai concluded his statement hoping that "all people in the industry are free to create and perform music, and that the ongoing issue is settled in the best possible way. Thank you." The controversy escalated when Datuk AC Mizal, 53, 4U2C's lead singer, expressed his displeasure with Ajai's comments on copyright and song ownership. AC Mizal, whose full name is Mizal Zaini, felt that Ajai's statement implied 4U2C did not have the right to organise their concert. The core of the issue arose when composer Man Senoi (Othman Masri) and his wife Ramziah Mohamed Noor (Mama Rap) disputed 4U2C's plan to stage the Sept 15 concert. Man Senoi and Mama Rap claim they hold the rights to 25 of the group's songs. Despite these claims, AC Mizal has stated that all necessary licences and permits for the concert have been secured from the relevant authorities.
New Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 4U2C concert to proceed despite copyright row, group demands apology
KUALA LUMPUR: Despite being embroiled in controversies, including allegations regarding copyright and song ownership, 1990s hip-hop group 4U2C is pressing ahead with their WE 4U2C Live In Concert project. The group, famed for their hit song "Fiona," is set to fulfil their promise to perform at the Idea Live Arena, Petaling Jaya, on Sept 15. Speaking on behalf of 4U2C, Datuk AC Mizal, whose real name is Mizal Zaini, asserted the group's right to stage the concert following guidelines from the Music Authors' Copyright Protection (MACP). "I would like to announce that we have received the MACP permit. This concert will go ahead," AC Mizal said at a press conference today. He further explained, "According to the Malaysian Copyright Act 1987, via MACP, every live performance using 'live' music does not require consent from the songwriter. This is because the songwriter has transferred the ownership rights to MACP for commercialisation." AC Mizal stressed the group's respect for property rights. "We don't want to deny property rights. When issues arise, we will respond, especially regarding property rights. We made this reference before the WE 4U2C Live In Concert project was announced," he added. Also present at the press conference were Shasha Marican, a representative from the organiser, Juss Event Sdn Bhd, their lawyer, Carlos Mak Chuen Yuan from the law firm Tang Kong Hai and Tui, and other members of the music group. The issue surrounding the 4U2C concert arose when composer Man Senoi (real name Othman Masri, 72) and his wife Ramziah Mohamed Noor (62), known as Mama Rap, reportedly disputed 4U2C's intention to stage the concert. Man Senoi and Mama Rap claimed they hold the rights to 25 of the group's songs. To clear their "tarnished name and reputation," AC Mizal announced that the organisers are demanding an apology within 24 hours from several individuals who allegedly issued "untrue and misleading statements" about the concert. "We will not tolerate any false statements and demand an apology within 24 hours," he warned. AC Mizal confirmed that all necessary licences and permits from the authorities have been secured for the concert. "Unfortunately, we discovered that a third party recently issued false statements against 4U2C. So, we demand that they make an open apology to the media and the public within 24 hours," he reiterated, adding that legal action would be taken if the parties involved fail to apologise as requested. AC Mizal expressed surprise that the song ownership issue was raised, especially since he hadn't yet announced which songs would be performed at the concert. "Maybe I'll sing an English, Indian or Chinese song... There must be a certain agenda," he mused. He also claimed that ticket sales for WE 4U2C Live In Concert have been affected by the controversy. "Before this issue arose, 70 per cent of tickets had been sold. Many people may be worried if this concert is cancelled following the controversy that has arisen," he explained. Regarding Man Senoi's claim over the 25 songs, another 4U2C member, Azam, denied the assertion. "I have been a member of MACP since 1992 and am still active. Many people don't know that not all songs in the 4U2C collection are under the ownership of our former manager," Azam clarified. "The hit songs were created by Joe, and I created 'Kami Rapper.' In our first album, Man Senoi only has three songs. We have two full albums and a mini album, and for each album, he (Man Senoi) only composed three songs," Azam elaborated. "He claims that all the songs are his; I'm disappointed. This issue shouldn't have arisen. In fact, about 70 per cent of the songs are ours," he said. Previously, Man Senoi was reported to have claimed that no party, including the concert organisers, had contacted him to request permission regarding the "sound audio" or recording material owned by Zman Productions before the concert was to be staged. 4U2C was a recording artiste under Zman Productions, owned by Man Senoi and Ramziah. However, their relationship reportedly soured after the release of their second studio album, leading to a court dispute that Zman Productions reportedly won.
New Straits Times
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: M Nasir: Man Senoi, 4U2C should discuss song performances for concert
KUALA LUMPUR: Music maestro Datuk M. Nasir has advised the hip-hop group 4U2C and composer Man Senoi to discuss their recent dispute. This follows a controversy concerning the group's intention to perform the composer's songs at their upcoming concert set for Sept 15 at the Idea Live Arena in Petaling Jaya. "Both sides have their rights; it's best to resolve things through discussion," Nasir said when asked to comment on Man Senoi's dissatisfaction over 4U2C's potential use of his material at their "WE 4U2C Live In Concert" event. "Singers who use a composer's song must first seek their permission. When a song is used, royalties also need to be paid to the composer," he explained at a press conference announcing his upcoming "Konsert Datuk M. Nasir Cipta 3" at the Hard Rock Cafe in Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. His concert is scheduled for Sept 27 at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil. It was recently reported that Man Senoi and his wife, Mama Rap, alleged that 4U2C, a group popular in the 1990s, did not seek their permission to perform their songs at the upcoming concert. They claimed that 25 of 4U2C's songs were copyrighted to their company, Zman Production.
New Straits Times
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Ajai urges constructive discussion to resolve Man Senoi, 4U2C concert dispute
KUALA LUMPUR: A dispute between composer Man Senoi and his wife, Mama Rap, and the organisers of the WE 4U2C Live In Concert can be resolved through amicable discussions. Popular composer and member of rock band Exists, Ajai, believes that all parties should engage in friendly dialogue to achieve a positive outcome. "This can lead to a 'win-win' situation, and they need to meet each other halfway. Our music industry is small. If we're too rigid, nothing will progress," he said. "Perhaps they have internal issues that we're unaware of, but this matter can definitely be settled. Let's discuss it," Ajai added, speaking at the Exists Premium Live @ PJ press conference held at IOI City shopping mall yesterday. The event announced Exists' upcoming concert, scheduled for Oct 4 at JioSpace, Petaling Jaya. Ajai stressed the importance of artistes being aware of copyright issues and resolving any problems constructively. "The licensing body, Music Authors' Copyright Protection Berhad (MACP), is for writers. What Man Senoi and Mama Rap have raised relates to 'sound audio' or recorded material," he explained. "When it comes to recorded material, it belongs to the 'investor'. Remember what happened to Dayang Nurfaizah, where the song I composed, 'Seandainya Masih Ada Cinta', couldn't be sung for almost four years." "However, once the court proceedings were finalised, Dayang was able to sing the song again," he recounted, advising all music enthusiasts to familiarise themselves with international copyright practices. Meanwhile, Exists guitarist Along said that 4U2C members are within their rights to discuss royalties with Man Senoi. "For me, there's nothing wrong with 4U2C performing a concert, because Man Senoi will still receive royalties," Along commented. "In our view, there's no issue with 4U2C staging concerts for the benefit of the local music industry's development." Recently, Man Senoi and Mama Rap reportedly claimed they were not informed about the WE 4U2C Live In Concert, despite fully owning the copyrights to songs by the popular 1990s hip-hop group. Man Senoi was quoted questioning how 4U2C could stage a concert when the 25 recorded songs are the property of their company, Zman Production. The WE 4U2C Live In Concert, organised by Juss Event, will feature seven members of 4U2C: Datuk AC Mizal, Aren, Yanz, Rinz, Lanz, Charlie, and Azam. It is set to take place on Sept 15 at the Idea Live Arena in Petaling Jaya.
