Things I would tell my younger self: Class 95 DJs Justin Ang and Vernon A

Radio DJs Justin Ang and Vernon A – collectively known as The Muttons – have been hosting together for a little more than 18 years. Justin was only 23 (to Vernon’s 33) when they first became on-air partners on Mediacorp radio station 987 in June 2005 before later moving to Class 95 where they now host the morning show, Muttons in the Morning.

Given their almost two-decade-long partnership, there surely must have been a lot of things they’ve learned about themselves – and each other – during that period.

Justin, who is now 41, revealed that his 20s were primarily influenced by Vernon, and that he was “very shy” and “very nerdy” when they first started working together.

“He taught me to stand up for myself a bit more. Not be so nerdy. Dress better. So, I did go through a transformation when I started working with him,” Justin said.

“I had to teach him to dress better, so I can be seen in public with him,” Vernon joked.

RELATIONSHIP DYNAMICS

In their partnership, the now 51-year-old Vernon is the guy who gets sent in to settle any issues. “He’s the brawn of the relationship,” Justin said. “He’s the fighter. He’s not accommodating so he will fight for what he wants. So, whenever there’s a battle to be fought, I send him in.”

A regular refrain that popped up during CNA Lifestyle’s chat with the Muttons was for Justin to stop being so nice and to “stand up for himself” more.

“He’s a very accommodating person,” Vernon shared. “He always tries to please people around him, which is very stupid. I tried to tell him not to do that but he still does it after so long.”

The difference in the way they deal with conflict could very well come from their upbringing – Vernon alludes to having had a “naughty” youth while Justin admits he’s led a very sheltered life.

“Growing up in that era, you were either a very studious person or you were a naughty person. I don’t know anyone who is in-between. So unfortunately, I fell with a naughty crowd and we did all naughty things,” Vernon shared.

When asked to share what exactly he got up to that was naughty, Vernon joked: “Cannot, the police will come.”

He did let on that he was in “many precarious situations” that could have turned out differently. “I’m very fortunate to have survived that part of my life,” he added.

On the other hand, Justin shared that he grew up “very sheltered”.

“I never suffered any hardship. I never did any housework. I never had a part-time job. I never had to. I grew up in a big house and I love and thank my parents for that.”

In fact, Justin is only now moving out of his parents’ place after buying a home with his wife, Ilona.

The co-workers, friends and business partners (they both invested in a couple of F&B businesses) may have a lot of differences, but they do share a common love – for radio. In fact, they love it so much that neither has taken sick leave in the last 17 years.

“You can check with HR,” Justin said.

LESSONS FOR THEIR YOUNGER SELVES

When it comes to things they want to tell their younger selves, both men share one similar wish: That they’d learned a new skill when they were younger.

“When my brain could absorb it”, as Justin put it.

According to Justin, being a radio DJ is the only job he’s ever had. “If I were to lose this job tomorrow, I wouldn’t know what else to do.”

“I wish I’d picked up another skill – like video editing or something IT-related or something along the lines of fintech. A skill where, if I had to look for another job tomorrow, I could find one.”

Vernon agreed: “If I were to not do radio, I really don’t know what I could do tomorrow to earn money.”

Another life lesson they both agree would have benefited their younger selves – being better with money.

“The cost of living these days is truly insane so I would tell my younger self to save a bit more money to be better prepared for the future,” said Vernon, who is a father of three sons.

Justin, who says he’s feeling “broke” after buying his first home, added: “I wish I had saved up more and didn’t go on that many holidays. Did I need to change that many cars?”

“I should have really saved for a moment like this when I really need the money and I’m like, Oh God, should I buy that expensive fridge? I could buy a S$500 fridge but I really want that S$1,500 fridge.”

As it turns out, both Justin and Vernon also had some words of wisdom they wished to bestow on their on-air partner’s younger self.

“I would tell younger Vernon not to smoke so much,” Justin said. “He’s got three wonderful children and I’m godfather to one of them so I’m like, Okay let’s hope he lives as long as possible. I would have told him that next time, you’re going to have the cutest kids, the coolest kids. Please don’t smoke so much.”

“Says the person who has two slipped discs,” Vernon deadpanned. “What else do you have? Sleep apnoea, high blood pressure, broken heel spurs. I just have diabetes so I’m quite thankful.”

Turning serious, Vernon said: “I guess the lesson that I would impart to a younger Justin is: Have more life experiences. Go out and do things on your own and make mistakes and fall down and fight and do naughty things and get caught.”

When Justin interjected to say that he didn’t even dare to leave his parents’ house until now, Vernon replied: “Things turned out well, fortunately, because of me.”