Singapore singer-songwriter J.J. Lin and Malaysian artist Penny Tai claimed top spot at the awards, the highest honor in Taiwan afforded to singers and songwriters. Lin won Best Mandarin Male Singer for his album “Stories Untold,” while Tai won Best Mandarin Female Singer for her album “Unexpected.” She also won the Best Album Producer for mainland Chinese singer Koala Liu’s “Embrace” at the event.
The two artists overcame stiff competition to gain the honor. Lin competed with Taiwan’s Chang Chen-yue, Emil Wakin Chau and Soft Lipa, as well as mainland Chinese artist Li Ronghao. Tai trumped Singapore’s Tanya Chua and Denise Ho from Hong Kong, in addition to Taiwan’s Faith Yang and Jia Jia. Li took home the Best New Singer Award for his album “Model.”
Taiwan singer-songwriter and record producer Jonathan Lee collected the biggest haul at the awards. His “Hills” grabbed Best Song of the Year, Best Lyricist and Best Album Packaging.
Best Mandarin Album went to Taiwan rocker Chang Chen-yue’s “I Am Ayal Komod.” As Ayal Komod is Chang’s aboriginal name, the album reflects his return to his roots and nature.
As for the Lifetime Achievement Award, late music producer Peng Kuo-hua, who died of liver cancer in 2001 at 46, was recognized for discovering aspiring singers in Taiwan during the 1980s and 1990s.
Other highlights at the event include a performance by Lin and Grammy-winning U.S. singer-songwriter Jason Mraz. The pair stole the show with their performance of Mraz’s hit 2008 single “I’m Yours.” (DF-JSM)
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