The 31st Golden Melody Report: Waa Wei & Wu Tsing-Fong are our Mandopop Queen & King, A-Bao Is Night’s Biggest Winner

The 31st Golden Melody Awards (GMAs) kicked off at the Taipei Music Center on Saturday night! Close to midnight, all 27 award winners were unveiled.

Our new Mandopop King and Queens were crowned, Wu Tsing-Fong & Waa Wei respectively. The night’s biggest winner is Best Aboriginal singer A-Bao. Leading the race with 8 nominations, A-Bao bagged three trophies: Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Aboriginal Album.

Wu Tsing-Fong Thanks Himself

Tsing-Fong is no stranger to the GMAs. He has won Best Composer, and won Best Band twice with his band Sodagreen.

This year, he adds another trophy to his mantle with Best Male Mandarin Singer award. The Music Maverick won for his solo debut album, Spaceman 太空人, released last year.

A visibly emotional Tsing-Fong said: “2019 is a special year for me. I redefined myself as a solo singer, redefined my view of good and evil, and humanity. I want to tell myself: ‘Thank you for soldiering on and singing on. You’ve worked hard.’”

What a night to remember. Waa Wei hosted the Golden Melody Awards show for the first time, and bagged with her first GMA award. She also squeezed in a performance during the show.

With so much on her plate, it's no wonder she wrote her speech moments before receiving the Best Female Mandarin Singer award. Reading her speech off her phone, she went on to thank a string of people — her dad, grandparents, and Ellen Loo.

Giving a shoutout to her son, she said: "Mummy's won an award! Thank you for letting me be myself. This is my first GMA award, hopefully, there will be a second and a third.”

The night’s biggest winner is A-Bao 阿爆. She went home with three trophies: Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Aboriginal Album. Her winning work: an aboriginal album, kinakaian 母亲的舌头 (A Mother’s Tongue).

Getting recognised for aboriginal music is especially meaningful to her and her people. She said: “The Taiwanese Aboriginal Tribe only makes up 2 percent of our population. How do we get recognised? We use our talents in arts and sports...Thank you for anyone who has hit play or share. Thank you for trying to listen to music you do not necessarily understand."

"Hopefully, we can have conversations through music, so we can understand each other better, and have lesser misunderstandings. If you don't understand why this is the Album of the Year, do give it a listen. If you don't like it, do give it a second chance.”

G.E.M's Album Is The GMA Judge's Pick

G.E.M. gets the judge's vote for her album, City Zoo 摩天动物园. The new category was introduced last year.

Because of the pandemic, G.E.M. was unable to fly to Taiwan. Through a music label rep, G.E.M. said: “This album is a miracle, it was created 8 months after I left my previous label. I’ve never tried taking on a mission this massive in such a short span of time.”

"The copyright of my old songs are under dispute. I feel helpless, so the only thing I can do is to write new songs quickly, turn my grief into strength."

Joanna Wang Wins Mandarin Album of the Year

It was Joanna Wang who summed up our feelings in this new normal. The prestigious ceremony finally took place on Saturday, postponed from its original date in June because of the pandemic.

During her acceptance speech for Best Mandarin Album,she said: “During the pandemic, it’s really heartening to see everyone rallying together to celebrate music.”

The Winners List

Album of the Year 年度专辑: A-Bao阿爆 / kinakaian 母亲的舌头 (A Mother’s Tongue)

Best Male Mandarin Singer 最佳国语男歌手奖: Wu Tsing-Fong 吴青峰／Spaceman 太空人

Best Female Mandarin Singer 最佳国语女歌手奖: Waa Wei 魏如萱/ Hidden, Not Forgotten 藏着并不等于遗忘

Best Mandarin Album 最佳国语专辑: Joanna Wang 王若琳/ Love is Calling Me 爱的呼唤

Judges’ Choice 评审团奖: G.E.M.邓紫棋/ City Zoo 摩天动物园

Best Album Producer 最佳专辑制作人奖: Sandee Chan 陳珊妮/ Juvenile A

Song of the Year 年度歌曲奖: A-Bao 阿爆/ Thank You 感谢

Best Aboriginal Album 最佳原住民专辑: kinakaian 母亲的舌头 (A Mother’s Tongue)Performer: 阿爆 A-Bao

Best Vocal Group Group 最佳演唱组合: Chick en Chicks

Best Band 最佳乐团: Fire EX.灭火器

Best Aboriginal Singer 最佳原住民歌手: Ceko 卢静子

Best Newcomer 最佳新人奖: Chih Siou 持修

Best Music Video 最佳音乐录影带奖: LOVE 红

Best Lyricist 最佳作词人: Hsieh Ming-Yu 谢铭佑／Road 路

Best Composer 最佳作曲人: Jen Jen 余佩真/The Wedding feat.Luantan Ascent 昏你 feat.乱彈阿翔

Best Arrangement 最佳编曲人奖: 战 Ikusa /Arranger: KOBUDO 古武道 /Composer & Singer: Peggy Hsu 许哲珮

Listen to the 31st GMA winners music on KKBOX.