Scion Of The Times
8 Days|December 21, 2017

KUOK MENG RU has a knack for helping music companies with long histories take big strides into the digital age. But when it comes to business, the CEO of BandLab Technologies still relies on good ol’ values that’ve worked for generations in his family, which happens to be one of Asia’s richest.

Jasmine Teo
Scion Of The Times
The Moneymaker:

KUOK MENG RU, 29, managing director of Swee Lee, Southeast Asia’s largest music retailer. Since acquiring it in 2012, the Singapore PR has reportedly doubled the sales of the 71-year-old company, launched an e-commerce platform, and expanded it to 13 shops across Southeast Asia. The latest is the one-month-old 5,000 sq ft flagship store at Star Vista that, in addition to a wide range of musical instruments, also includes a hipster-cool lifestyle retail section and a ‘gram-worthy café. The amateur guitarist and singer, who went to school and grew up in the UK, is also the chief executive and co-founder of BandLab Technologies, a Singapore startup that most famously acquired a 49 per cent stake in Rolling Stone magazine last year (and is reportedly in talks to acquire the other 51 per cent). To add on to his illustrious CV, Meng is also a co-creator of BandLab, a cloud-based app and social network for musicians connect to create music. This passion for business runs in the family — dad is palm oil tycoon Kuok Khoon Hong, the ninth richest man in Singapore according to Forbes, while Meng’s grandfather is Robert Kuok, Malaysia’s richest man.

HOME IS: A house around Farrer Road.

HIS RIDE IS: “I take Uber quite a lot. I occasionally drive — I have a Mini — but I prefer not to drive. Because I get more things done. I like to use my phone a lot, and when I drive, I can’t use my phone or I’ll get into trouble!”

Denne historien er fra December 21, 2017-utgaven av 8 Days.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra December 21, 2017-utgaven av 8 Days.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA 8 DAYSSe alt
What a G.E.M.!
8 Days

What a G.E.M.!

Hongkong singer and new Tag Heuer global ambassador G.E.M. TANG, in town recently for F1, has a “guilty indulgence” that will just make you feel more guilty about yours.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 06, 2016
The Twins Effect
8 Days

The Twins Effect

Is the local showbiz scene big enough for both JAYLEY and HAYLEY WOO to twin and win? We compare and contrast.

time-read
10+ mins  |
October 06, 2016
Wake-Up Call
8 Days

Wake-Up Call

Following SHINee frontman JONGHYUN's suicide after a long struggle with depression, fans and celebs are urging the K-pop industry to pay more attention to the well-being of their artistes.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 04, 2018
Coming Clean
8 Days

Coming Clean

Chart-topping British band CLEAN BANDIT, in town on Jan 22 for a gig, may be famous for using classical music in their hits, but that won’t stop them from collaborating with Beyoncé, as bassist Jack Patterson tells us over the phone.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 11, 2018
Wong Time Right Target
8 Days

Wong Time Right Target

The always-glam FANN WONG goes glum for her first major movie role in three years.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 22, 2016
Star Ship Troopers
8 Days

Star Ship Troopers

Space Travel is about to get more exciting. Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence, two actors already in Hollywood’s Stratosphere, take off this week for the Sci-Fi Romance Passengers.

time-read
10 mins  |
December 22, 2016
Sandra Riley Tang, 25
8 Days

Sandra Riley Tang, 25

The Sam Willo ws singer works out because “I really love to eat”. Yes, The Yoga Cofounder’s fad diet days are definitely over.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 29, 2016
Comme What May
8 Days

Comme What May

The man behind the Comme des F***down streetwear, Rusland Karablin, is so Zen (check out the mantra emblazoned on his swag), he doesn’t mind that everyone from Bugis to Bangkok is bootlegging his stuff.

time-read
5 mins  |
September 29, 2016
“My Parents Told Me: You're On Your Own Now”
8 Days

“My Parents Told Me: You're On Your Own Now”

Getting cut off financially by her folks turned Asia’s Next Top Model alum AIMEE CHENG- BRADSHAW into a “super frugal” model. Except when it comes to yoga and shoes.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2017
A Slice Of New York In Singapore
8 Days

A Slice Of New York In Singapore

WOLFGANG’S STEAKHOUSE at the new Intercontinental Singapore Robertson Quay offers an authentic NYC steakhouse dining experience. But be prepared to leave with a much emptier wallet and smelling of beef fat.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2017