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The Star
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Late singer Khalil Fong bags five posthumous Golden Melody Awards nominations
Hong Kong singer-songwriter Khalil Fong died in February of an undisclosed illness at the age of 41. Photo: Fu Music/Weibo Hong Kong singer-songwriter Khalil Fong, who died in February of an undisclosed illness at the age of 41, has received five nominations for Taiwan's upcoming Golden Melody Awards. Singaporean singer-songwriter Tanya Chua is also in contention for a whopping fifth Best Female Mandarin Singer trophy, after having logged a record four wins in the category. She is up against Malaysian star Penny Tai, Taiwanese singer-songwriters Vicky Chen and Waa Wei, as well as Chinese-American hip-hop artiste Karencici in her category. In the Best Male Mandarin Singer category, Chinese singer-songwriter Li Ronghao, Taiwanese singer Ricky Hsiao, Taiwanese pop singer PoLin, Hong Kong indie singer Terence Lam and Taiwanese rapper Trout Fresh will vie for the prize. The awards, often known as the Grammys of the Mandarin music scene, will be held in Taipei on June 28. Nominations were unveiled on May 14. Fong's final album The Dreamer , released in October 2024, was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Mandarin Album. One of its songs, Twenty Three , also garnered nominations for Song of the Year, Best Lyricist and Best Composer. The Dreamer was also given a jury prize by the Golden Melody Awards. Jury chairman, music producer and singer Ting Hsiao-wen told Taiwanese media that it is an outstanding piece of work. 'He was writing songs with his life – it was a musician showing us his life journey and giving fans a gift,' she said of Fong, who said at the time of the its release that it was a 'sick' one as it was recorded during various stages of his illness. Following the nomination list reveal, Fong's label Fu Music said in an Instagram post: 'Thank you to the jury and music fans for recognising Khalil's work. He will continue to spread healing and peace through his music in this boundless universe.' Fong's death was announced by Fu Music in March. A statement said he 'faced a disease with a positive attitude for five years', without specifying what he was suffering from. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Late singer Khalil Fong bags five posthumous Golden Melody Awards nominations
Hong Kong singer-songwriter Khalil Fong died in February of an undisclosed illness at the age of 41. PHOTO: FU MUSIC/WEIBO Hong Kong singer-songwriter Khalil Fong, who died in February of an undisclosed illness at the age of 41, has received five nominations for Taiwan's upcoming Golden Melody Awards. Singaporean singer-songwriter Tanya Chua is also in contention for a whopping fifth Best Female Mandarin Singer trophy, after having logged a record four wins in the category. The awards, often known as the Grammys of the Mandarin music scene, will be held in Taipei on June 28. Nominations were unveiled on May 14. Fong's final album The Dreamer, released in October 2024, was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Mandarin Album. One of its songs, Twenty Three, also garnered him nominations for Song of the Year, Best Lyricist and Best Composer. The Dreamer was also given a jury prize by the Golden Melody Awards. Jury chairman, music producer and singer Ting Hsiao-wen told Taiwanese media that it is an outstanding piece of work. 'He was writing songs with his life – it was a musician showing us his life journey and giving fans a gift,' she said of Fong, who had said at the time of the album's release that it was a 'sick' one as it was recorded during various stages of his illness. Following the nomination list reveal, Fong's label Fu Music said in an Instagram post: 'Thank you to the jury and music fans recognising Khalil's work. He will continue to spread healing and peace through his music in this boundless universe.' Fong's death was announced by Fu Music in March. A statement said he 'faced a disease with a positive attitude for five years', without specifying what he was suffering from. Chua's sole nomination, Best Female Mandarin Singer, is for her work on the original soundtrack of Taiwanese drama Imperfect Us (2024). She scored and wrote the entire soundtrack. Singaporean singer-songwriter Tanya Chua is in contention for a whopping fifth Best Female Mandarin Singer trophy at the Golden Melody Awards, after having logged a record four wins in the category. PHOTO: The 50-year-old has four previous wins in this category, the most of any singer in over 35 years of the awards ' history. Her most recent victory was in 2022, for her pandemic-inspired album Depart (2021). Chua is a Golden Melody Awards darling – only one of her 12 studio albums failed to nab a single nomination. She is up against Malaysian star Penny Tai, Taiwanese singer-songwriters Vicky Chen and Waa Wei, as well as Chinese-American hip-hop artiste Karencici in her category. Chua already won Best Original Song for Finland at Taiwan's prestigious television-centric Golden Bell Awards in October 2024. The song is part of the Imperfect Us soundtrack. In the Best Male Mandarin Singer category, Chinese singer-songwriter Li Ronghao, Taiwanese singer Ricky Hsiao , Taiwanese pop singer PoLin, Hong Kong indie singer Terence Lam and Taiwanese rapper Trout Fresh will vie for the prize. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Time Out Abu Dhabi
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Dave Chappelle is coming back to Abu Dhabi for another comedy gig
If you thought last year's set from Dave Chappelle was something special, buckle up. The comedy kingpin is coming back to Etihad Arena on Thursday June 27, for a show that's about to go down in Abu Dhabi's stand-up history books. Last year, Chappelle kicked off the first-ever Abu Dhabi Comedy Week with a sold-out performance that drew over 14,000 fans – the largest comedy show the region's ever seen. Now, he's set to top it. The legendary stand-up returns for a one-night-only gig as part of the Abu Dhabi Comedy Season, and it's going to be huge. Think biting wit, fearless satire and stories that only Chappelle could tell. Whether you're a die-hard fan who's watched every Netflix special (shout-out to The Dreamer) or someone who's never seen him live, this is an epic chance to get those much-needed belly laughs in (ab workout anyone?). And with presale tickets going live on April 15 and general sale opening April 16, you'll need to move faster than one of his punchlines to snag a seat. This year's Abu Dhabi Comedy Season – running from April to July – is rolling out a heavyweight lineup of hilarity. We're talking Trevor Noah, Kevin Hart, Gad Elmaleh, Michael McIntyre, Gabriel 'Fluffy' Iglesias, Pete Davidson, Bill Burr and loads more still to be announced. If ever there was a time to embrace your inner comedy nerd, this is it. But don't sleep on it – this show will sell out. You've been warned. Price TBC. Thu Jun 27. Etihad Arena, Yas Island. You might also like… The best places to eat on Yas Island Going to Etihad Arena? Here's where you should grab a bite before (or after) your gig or event All the concerts happening in Abu Dhabi in 2025 Get ready for a lot of huge names Abu Dhabi's best restaurants: Everywhere you should eat at least once Your dinner inspo is sorted
South China Morning Post
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong singer Khalil Fong leaves note for fans to ‘hold fast' to their dreams
Hong Kong singer-songwriter Khalil Fong, who died from illness last month at the age of 41, has left last words to inspire others to embrace life's challenges and hold on to their dreams. Advertisement The message credited to Fong was included in a card distributed to attendees at a private memorial service held for the singer on Saturday, as reported by mainland China media Litchi News. 'Time waits for no one. As we age, we come to understand more deeply the duality of time – its reality and its illusion. Life presents us with countless twists and challenges, yet I believe one of our goals should be to navigate its path with grace and dignity,' Fong wrote. 'At this particular moment in my life, where everything seems to stand still, I am granted ample time to reflect on the past, contemplate the present with sincerity, and dream of the future. The name The Dreamer symbolises that even in the face of illness and life's many trials, I remain here, filled with creative vision and boundless dreams,' he added, referring to his latest 10-track album, which carried a similar message. 'May you, in the days to come, continue to hold fast to your dreams, persevere in your efforts, grow, evolve and fully realise your potential at every stage of life.' Advertisement Fong's shocking death was confirmed by his music label Fu Music on Saturday that he 'left the world peacefully' on February 21 after battling illness for five years with a positive attitude.
Express Tribune
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Hong Kong Singer-Songwriter Passes Away After Illness
Listen to article Hong Kong singer-songwriter Khalil Fong has passed away at the age of 41 after a prolonged illness, his music label Fu Music confirmed on Saturday. The label stated that Fong "left the world peacefully" on the morning of February 21 after battling his illness for five years with resilience and a positive attitude. Just a week before his passing, Fong shared his final Instagram post on February 13, extending Lunar New Year greetings to fans while promoting his latest song 'Oasis' from his 10-track album The Dreamer, released last year. He described the album as a deeply personal project recorded 'during various stages of illness.' Born in 1983 in Hawaii, USA, Fong was raised in a multicultural environment, immersed in Chinese culture and exposed to diverse musical influences such as soul, funk, and jazz. His family relocated to Guangdong and Shanghai before settling in Hong Kong in the late 1990s. Fong gained prominence in the Chinese music industry with the release of his debut album Soulboy in 2005, featuring the hit song Spring Breeze His unique blend of R&B and soul music led to comparisons with artists like David Tao and Jay Chou. Over the years, he won numerous music awards and became one of Hong Kong's most influential singer-songwriters. Some of his most famous tracks include Love Love Love (2006) and Singalongsong (2008). He also collaborated with and wrote songs for prominent artists such as Taiwanese pop star A-mei and Cantopop legend Eason Chan. Fong's music, primarily in Mandarin and English, earned him a dedicated following across Asia. In 2006, he was recognized as one of Hong Kong's 'Four Little Powers of Singer-Songwriters' alongside Hins Cheung, Ivana Wong, and Louis Cheung. After founding his own music label, Fu Music, in 2016 and releasing his ninth album JTW, Fong gradually withdrew from the public eye, occasionally releasing singles between 2018 and 2022. His return to music came in October 2024 with The Dreamer, a deeply introspective album reflecting his personal struggles with illness. Beyond music, Fong was a dedicated vegetarian and a follower of the Baha'i Faith. Despite his health challenges, he had expressed hopes of reconnecting with his audience through music. His passing has prompted an outpouring of condolences from fans and fellow artists, with many remembering him as a gifted musician and an inspiration. Fong's manager described him as 'the kindest, most talented, and most serious dreamer,' while fans and critics alike hailed his contributions to music and his ability to weave environmental awareness and introspective themes into his lyrics. Fellow singer Louis Cheung shared an emotional tribute, promising to give Fong 'a big hug' when they meet again.
