S'porean composer George Leong calls fellow industry veteran Dick Lee 'self-centred'

Singaporean veteran composer and musician George Leong, 54, took to Facebook on Jan. 6 to slam the music industry he has been a part of.

Context of social media post

Leong posted photos of Sandy Lam’s album, "Love, Sandy", as well as the late star Leslie Cheung’s album, "Most Beloved", which were both released in 1995.

But both items by the Hong Kong stars were seen in the trash.

Leong said he was throwing them away and moving on, even though he called them the “most monumental records” he had worked on.

He wrote about his disillusionment, despite "a portfolio boasting over 2,000 works and countless awards":

"I’ve come to realise these accomplishments mean little in the grand scheme of things."

Leong called his skills and experience “undervalued”, and said music has left him disappointed and sad, even though they used to bring him joy.

He also claimed that clients only wanted a cheap deal, with some questioning his abilities, which the composer termed "insulting".

He also claimed that he has been left out of projects even though he has received compliments for his work.

He complained that his job was worse than working in a fast food joint.

Starts beef

Leong also called Dick Lee out for forgetting Leong's arrangement of the song, "Chase" ("追").

Lee was the Singaporean composer of "Chase".

The piece first appeared as the theme song of the 1994 romantic-comedy film "He’s A Woman, She’s A Man" which starred the late Cheung.

“Even Dick Lee, whose royalties from 'Chase' could fill bank accounts for years, didn’t realise I was the arranger behind the version. I had to remind him in 2016,” Leong wrote.

“To this day, he still plays Iskandar's version, which is completely unsuited for such an emotional piece.”

"Iskandar" refers to the late Singaporean composer Iskandar Ismail.

In response, Lee, 68, commented on the post.

He called Leong a brilliant and talented musician.

Lee wrote:

“We all have a love-hate relationship with music, but please don’t deny that it is part of you, strongly in your DNA. I hope you continue to find the way to express yourself through music in some way and keep doing projects that mean something to you.”

Leong retorted: “Wishful thinking. I’m never gonna work with you again. Self-centred.”

Leong wrote that he was leaving the music industry for other pursuits that make him happier, such as fitness.

He also slammed industry folks as "fake" and "plastic", as they only know how to pay lip service and not his bills.

Top photos via George Leong & Dick Lee Facebook