Russian DJ Alexander Komarov has now been dropped from the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) roster, after an old message in which he wished death on a Ukrainian DJ and his entire country was leaked online.
A screenshot of the message was also shared on the social media platform Reddit. In it, Komarov calls Ukrainian DJ Vadim Bonkrashkov a “filthy Nazi” and said he hoped he’d die in agony along with his “entire so-called country”.
Komarov admits to sending the hateful message
Before being pulled from the lineup, the Russian was due to play on Friday, October 23, at an event hosted by the label Interplay Records.
It’s uncertain whether public pressure played a part in the DJ being booted, as Interplay Records’ message was tight-lipped about the reason for their decision.
While Komarov isn’t denying the messages, his main regret seems to be the cancelled trip. “I was planning to attend this event and meet artists I work with,” he tells AD, with the news site noting his disappointment that the trip won’t be going ahead.
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Critics say the ADE should go even further
While some are satisfied with Komarov’s ban, others stress that the ADE isn’t doing enough.
Karel Burger Dirven, Ukraine’s honorary consul in the Netherlands, tells AD that dropping Komarov should “only be the beginning”: “I am not saying that no Russian artists at all should be allowed to come, but anyone who has been proven to have played in Crimea or at events linked to the Kremlin does not belong here.”
One name he points to is Roman Messer. According to AD, the DJ has performed in Crimea several times since its annexation by Russia, and even played at a student party organised by Russia’s Ministry of Education.
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