JJ Lin Best Male Singer

Singaporean singer-songwriter JJ Lin bagged his first double win at the 27th Golden Melody Awards last night, including the coveted Best Male Mandarin Singer award, in what is seen as the Chinese equivalent of the Grammy Awards.

The 35-year-old also snagged the Best Composer Award for his hit song "Twilight" at the ceremony in the Taipei Arena.

This is Lin's second Best Male Mandarin Singer award. He won the same award in 2014.

This time round, Lin saw off less well-known contenders Matzka, Ko Chi-Tang, Namewee and Li Jian.

Looking relieved, Lin said on stage that he will "work harder".

Nominated in four categories for his 12th album "From M.E. To Myself", Lin missed out on the Best Album Producer and Best Song of The Year awards.

Taiwan indigenous singer-songwriter Suming Rupi was the night's surprise winner when his song "Don't Give Up" was crowned Best Song of the Year, beating four better-known hits - including Lin's "Twilight", "A Little Luck" from romantic comedy "Our Times", A-mei's "Matriarchy" and indie band Sodagreen's "That Evening It Rained".

Another surprise winner was Taiwanese singer Julia Peng, who was crowned Best Mandarin Female Singer for her album "Darling".

When the 44-year-old veteran went onstage, she was in tears, saying: "I've waited for 20 years... I thought if it isn't A-mei, it will be Tanya Chua. I will continue to make music for the next 20 years."

She beat the hot favourite, Taiwanese pop diva A-mei, Singaporean singer-songwriter Tanya Chua - who failed to clinch her fourth Best Singer award - Peggy Hsu, Su Yun Ying and Xiao Hsia.

Sodagreen was the night's biggest winner, picking up four of the eight awards it was nominated in for its 10th album "Endless Winter". It bagged the awards for Best Mandarin Album, Best Band, Best Album producer and Best Arranger.

Singers, songwriters and composers from Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia competed in more than 40 categories at the ceremony, which featured a performances by China-born pianist Lang Lang, A-mei and Hong Kong singer Karen Mok.

Source: The Straits Times