Tuesday May 10, 2005 Malaysia Star Online
By LI EE KEE

Nominations for Taiwan's 16th Golden Melody Awards, said to be the equivalent of America's Grammys, are in. The results, while largely expected, have also managed to surprise.

At the head of the nomination pack is, fittingly enough, Taiwan's R&B prince Jay Chou with six nods in five categories, among them best Mandarin pop album, best composer and best Mandarin male singer.

Chou was said to be over the moon with his six nominations. The 26-year-old was especially happy that the music video for Wai Po (Grandmother) earned director Kuang Sheng a nomination in the best musical director category. He revealed that his grandmother, who starred in the video, would be thrilled to see herself on TV.

But according to Singapore's morning daily Lianhe Zaobao, Chou most looked forward to being nominated for best producer. He lost out to Wang Lee Hom last year. Alas, much to Chou's disappointment, he was not nominated for the said category.

When informed that his buddies from pop rock band Nan Quan Ma Ma was not up for any awards, Chou, in an admirable display of brotherhood, said he would give up his best Mandarin male singer nomination in exchange for a nod for them.

"So many people know how to sing, so I won't be missed," he stated.

Despite initial fears that her one-year break would spell disaster for her singing career, Singaporean songstress Stefanie Sun makes a successful return to the music industry by garnering four Golden Melody Awards nominations. But Sun's comeback is nothing compared to 50-year-old Luo Da You's grand homecoming after a 12-year absence.

The Godfather of Chinese Pop's latest album, Mei Li Dao (BeautIsland), long awaited by fans, showed that he still has some pop sensibilities left in him. As can be expected of the politically and socially conscious Luo, the album is filled with satirical and pensive lyrics. He received three nominations.

As did musical whiz Wang on the strength of his latest record Xin Zhong De Ri Yue (Shangri-la). The album is his attempt at creating a "clearer sonic identity for Chinese hip hop music" which he terms the "Chinked-out" style.

For Wang, who is at the centre of controversial claims that his latest album was copied from other people, the three nominations he received for best Mandarin pop album, best arrangement and best Mandarin male singer could not have come at a more appropriate time.

Sun's compatriots Wayne Lin and Huang Yida did not do too badly as each received one nomination ?Lin for best composer and Huang for best Mandarin newcomer. Lin was last year's Golden Melody Awards best Mandarin newcomer.

Keeping the Malaysian flag flying high is Fish Leong. Leong's album, Yan Wei Die Xia Ding Ai De Jue Xin (Swallowtail Butterfly) garnered two nominations ?one for her in the best Mandarin female singer category and another for Li Zheng Fan for best composer.

This year's nominations are not without its share of shockers. Mandopop princess Jolin Tsai for instance, was surprisingly snubbed despite recording good album sales for Castle.

An embarrassed Tsai had to put on a brave front when entertainment news programme Wan Quan Yu Le related the news to her. Faring slightly better were Mayday and F.I.R, with each receiving one nomination. Mayday, believing that they had put in their best effort with Shen De Hai Zi Dou Zai Tiao Wu (Mayday 2004 5th Album), where they also composed several tracks on the album, was understandably frustrated that their hard work did not receive the recognition it deserves. They were only nominated for best rock band.

After F.I.R's phenomenal debut last year, fans were clearly anticipating the trio of Ian Chen, Faye Chan and Real Huang to come away big winners at the Golden Melody Awards. Now fans can only pray that the pop rock group takes home the best Mandarin newcomer award.

So, with Tsai out of the picture and the likes of F.I.R and Mayday only receiving one nomination each, who has taken over their spots? Underdogs Stanley Huang and Wang Hung En raised quite a few eyebrows when they collected five and three nominations, respectively.

Huang, formerly of the pop boyband LA Boyz, embarked on a solo career in 2000 and has released six albums including Hei De Yi Nian (Shades of My Mind). The album features Huang's own dance-oriented brand of mainstream hip-hop with heavy guitar riffs and pulsating electronica.

Wang, who prefers to go by his aboriginal name Biung, makes a return to the Golden Melody Awards after winning best non-Mandarin male singer in 2002. A member of the Bunun tribe, his music marries traditional Bunun music with an upbeat pop sound.


As a run-up to the 16th Golden Melody Awards, which will be handed out in Kaohsiung on May 28, Astro AEC (Channel 19) will be screening Golden Melody Concert 1 on May 25 (6pm); Golden Melody Concert 2 on May 26 (6pm); Golden Melody Concert 3 on May 27 (6pm); the 16th Golden Melody Red Carpet (live) on May 28 at 5.30pm, followed by the award presentation at 7pm. There will be a repeat of the award presentation on May 29 (10.30am) and Golden Melody Awards Behind the Scenes on May 29 (1.30pm).