Hot Since 82 cancels shows following attempted armed attack in Brazil
The British DJ said he’s “lucky to be alive” after a run-in with gun-wielding carjackers
Hot Since 82, real name Daley Padley, has cancelled his forthcoming festival appearances following an attempted attack in Rio De Janeiro.
Padley took to Instagram on Sunday to let fans know about the incident, describing a run-in with armed attackers that took place in the early hours of Friday, May 3.
Speaking in a video, Padley explained that a group of men armed with AK-47s began “pursuing” his tour vehicle after leaving a show in the Brazilian city at around 5:AM.
He added that he was on a “busy motorway” in the dark when the car ahead “braked for us to stop," before several men in balaclavas reached out the window with guns.
Padley said that he believed he had been “set up”, explaining: “They knew exactly where we were, what car, and where we were going to be at what time which leads me to believe we have been set up.”
After spotting the gunmen, Padley said they began reversing through traffic, weaving in and out of the cars for “miles and miles” at high speed.
“If the AK-47s didn't get us, we are really lucky we didn't have a really bad car crash because we’re weaving in and out of oncoming traffic going 60 - 70 mph with a car full of AK-47s following us,” he said.
“If it wasn't for the heroic manoeuvres of our driver I don't know if we would be alive right now,” he added, saying that he feels “broken” after the incident.
Padley said that while he’s had a “wicked time” in Brazil, he’s unsure if he’ll return to the country again. “Going to a club to DJ should be about happiness and bringing joy to people’s lives, not leaving a club and wondering if I’m going to get home safe,” he said.
Since the incident, Padley has cancelled his forthcoming shows at two Brazilian festivals, Warung Festival and Time Warp, telling fans that “no DJ show or fee is worth it”.
"I have children at home, my wife is about to deliver our next baby in six weeks time, I can't risk being in a position like this,” he said.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter