Taipei, Taiwan — Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean group Hyukoh lead this year’s Golden Melody Awards nominations with a total of seven each. The announcement, made on Wednesday, highlights the growing collaboration between artists from the two regions.
Both bands are recognized for their work on the album “AAA,” which is up for several prestigious awards, including Best Band, Best Album Producer, Best Album Design, and Best Vocal Album Recording. From this album, the single “Young Man” has received nominations for Song of the Year and Best Music Video, while another track, “Antenna,” also competes in the Best Music Video category.
In a poignant tribute, the late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong has been honored with the Jury Award for his album “The Dreamer.” He similarly garners nominations for Best Mandarin Album, along with Song of the Year and both Best Composer and Best Lyricist for the track “Twenty Three.” Fong’s passing was announced on March 1, with his agency revealing he died on February 21 due to ongoing health issues.
The nominees for Best Mandarin Male Singer include PoLin, Ricky Hsiao, Terence Lam, Trout Fresh, and Li Ronghao. Meanwhile, in the Best Mandarin Female Singer category, Tanya Chua, Penny Tai, Vicky Chen, Karencici, and Waa Wei are all vying for the award.
This year, 23 albums across Mandarin, Hakka, Taiwanese, and Indigenous-language categories are in the running for the coveted Album of the Year award. Award organizers have noted the increasing diversity in this year’s submissions, a trend highlighted by Ting Hsiao-wen, head of the jury. Ting pointed out that many entries came from overseas, showcasing the broad spectrum of Taiwan’s pop music scene.
The jury acknowledged Taiwanese composer and producer Weng Xiao-liang and the late singer Ma Chao-chun as recipients of the Special Contribution Award. Weng, a guitarist who emerged in the 1960s, has penned numerous classics and played a vital role in promoting future stars in Taiwan. Ma, influential in the campus folk songs movement during the late 20th century, was known for his timeless compositions, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire new generations.
Vice Culture Minister Hsu Yi-chun remarked on the jury’s challenging task in sifting through 846 submissions across 27 categories. The rigorous selection process aimed to represent a diverse array of artistic achievements and public reception, capturing the evolving landscape of the Taiwanese music industry.
The Golden Melody Awards, celebrating their 36th year, are deemed the pinnacle of recognition within the Mandarin-speaking music community. Often referred to as the equivalent of the Grammys for Mandarin pop, the awards remain a significant event for artists and fans alike.
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