Golden Melody buzz shifts! Chen Hsien-ching's cross-border sweep of 3 major awards is incredible; this 'music style' directly tops the charts

Taiwanese artist Chen Hsien-ching emerged as the dominant force at the 19th Freshmusic Awards (FMA) in Singapore, clinching three significant awards and solidifying her status as the ceremony's biggest winner. The awards, which celebrate music across Chinese-speaking regions, saw Chen Hsien-ching take home Best New Artist, Top Ten Albums of the Year, and Song of the Year.

Her success was particularly notable in the fiercely competitive Best New Artist category, where she secured a decisive victory. Judges praised her exceptional songwriting talent and her ability to create music that resonates across different generations. Her single "Wui" also earned accolades, and her album "If Everyone Can Be Happy Happy, Who Wants to Be Sad:＊- The Secret of Cooperation" ranked second for Album of the Year.

Veteran artist Chang Chen-yue, returning after a 12-year hiatus, was honored with the Album of the Year award for his release "Follow Your Feeling." Judges lauded his ability to distill life experiences into relatable creations, appealing to listeners from teenagers to those in their sixties. His song "Mom's Eyes" also received recognition, ranking second for Top Ten Singles of the Year.

The FMA also celebrated emerging talent, with Yang Shih-hsuan winning Best EP for "Living an Ordinary Life." The former member of the band Sodagreen garnered attention even before his release, with physical copies becoming collector's items. The judges noted his ability to offer a sense of peace in confusing times through his simple musical approach.

This year's awards also underscored the burgeoning strength of hip-hop in the Chinese music scene. Half of the Top Ten Albums of the Year were hip-hop releases, a significant increase from previous years. Artists like rapper Xiao Laohu (Little Tiger) from China also gained broader recognition, highlighting the increasing diversity and impact of various hip-hop subgenres.