Giel Beelen still adheres to the decision of the NPO not to play Ali B and Marco Borsato on the radio, but he does not want to participate in a long-term boycott against the gentlemen.
It bothers Giel Beelen a bit that he is no longer allowed to play Ali B and Marco Borsato from the radio department of the NPO. If someone would submit a request record, the radio DJ would be happy to play the gentlemen. The same goes for controversial artists from America, such as R. Kelly, says the radio producer in his podcast Off The Record†
Ali and Marco
You just have to have that freedom, says Giel, who already has doubts about the accusations against Marco. “When I get a text like: ‘It’s our wedding day, can you play R. Kelly?’”
His regular guest Nance Coolen: “Yes, or Marco or Ali.”
Giel: “I would just play it, I must say. I mean: for the time being, I’m just adjusting to the NPO policy when it comes to Marco and Ali.”
Radio DJ Jamie Reuter: “That’s also the first time.”
Giel: “Yeah, I’m not sure about it either: I really want to run it or something…”
Classics
Even if Marco has done really bad things with children, Giel still wants to keep playing him. “Suppose with Marco Borsato that it all turns out to be even more intense than we thought… Yes, then he still made those classics, didn’t he? Then I’ll be back with my weddings… But all those songs!”
Jamie: “Yes, but I think that’s a bit weak. Nice that someone has a wedding number for it, but if this man is really such an imbecile…”
Giel: “Yes, but then those songs will remain the same songs.”
‘It’s just music’
Jamie doesn’t understand that. “On the other hand, I also think: it’s just music, so how important is it really? When we talk about things that have been done by these guys and if that’s really all proven, then I think things like that are more important than that we never get to hear the song again.”
Giel: “Because you make the connection anyway: if you run it, you support everything that the person has done.”
Jamie: “Well, I don’t know… I think everyone can decide for themselves, but we decide for people at the time to listen to it.”
Nonsense
Jamie: “So you think it’s nonsense what the NPO is doing?”
Gil: “Absolutely. Well, no, okay, absolutely… I understand – and that was stated in the statement from the NPO and I completely understand that – that listeners are not looking forward to this with this ongoing sensitivity. I get that. That’s why I don’t really stand for it, because I think: what are you getting yourself into. But as far as I’m concerned, that’s not forever.”