On the 19th of August, the 38th Global Music Huading Awards were unveiled at the Huading Awards Global Headquarters in Los Angeles, California. Rihanna, the Barbadian singer with a vibrant career in the United States, was crowned Global Best Singer. British artist Ed Sheeran and American sensation Billie Eilish took home the awards for Global Most Popular Male and Female Singers respectively. From Asia, Hong Kong’s Jacky Cheung was honored as the Best Singer, while Jungkook from South Korea and G.E.M. from China were recognized as the Most Popular Male and Female Singers.
Rihanna Secures the Title of Global Best Singer
The Global Music Huading Awards, organized by the world’s largest award-giving body, the Huading Awards Group, is a prestigious accolade in the global pop music scene. The 11th Huading Awards Global Music Satisfaction Survey took place on December 20, 2013, in Shanghai, marking the first time that the Huading Awards recognized outstanding global pop music artists and groups. Following the 14th Huading Awards Global Music Satisfaction Survey, which concluded on January 8, 2015, at the Shanghai Expo Center, the organizing committee shifted its focus to the film and television industry, achieving remarkable success.
In January 2023, the Huading Awards underwent a brand upgrade, aiming to establish an entertainment award on par with the Oscars and Grammys. In October of the same year, the music category of the Huading Awards was relaunched after nearly eight years. At the 37th Global Music Huading Awards held in Macau in December 2023, American singer Taylor Swift was named Global Best Singer, while Chinese singer Dao Lang won the title of Asian Best Singer, sparking widespread online discussion, particularly about Dao Lang’s win.
The theme of the 38th Global Music Huading Awards was “Music Warms the World.” With a slowing global economy, tense geopolitical situations, and ongoing regional conflicts, the Huading Awards committee hoped that music could bring warmth to those suffering around the world.
Rihanna emerged victorious as the Global Best Singer at this year’s Huading Awards. The 36-year-old global superstar has already claimed nine Grammy Awards, eight American Music Awards, two BRIT Awards, and 23 Billboard Music Awards. Her latest Huading Award further solidifies her status as one of the most accomplished artists in the music industry.
British artist Ed Sheeran, affectionately known as “Yellow Boss” among Chinese fans, secured the title of Global Most Popular Male Singer. He is a multi-award-winning artist, including the American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist, and is celebrated for hits such as “Shape of You,” “The A Team,” and “Perfect.”
At just 22 years old, American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish was awarded Global Most Popular Female Singer. Known for her prodigious talent, she has won two Oscars for Best Original Song. Her recent single “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” topped Spotify’s global charts in July and was performed at the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics during the “Los Angeles 12 Minutes” segment on August 12.
Jacky Cheung Claims Asian Best Singer
Hong Kong’s iconic singer Jacky Cheung received the coveted award for Asian Best Singer. Now 63, Cheung began his singing career in 1984 and has been a dominant force in the Mandarin pop music scene for four decades. His extensive repertoire of classic hits has earned him the nickname “God of Song” among many Chinese fans, although he has gradually receded from the spotlight of younger generations.
2024 marked a resurgence in popularity and success for Jacky Cheung. The airing of Wong Kar-wai’s drama “Flowers of Shanghai” saw Cheung’s older love song “Stealing Hearts” become a viral sensation. At the 45th Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Music Gala in June, he won the award for Excellent Popular Chinese Song with “Another Decade.” This Huading Award for Asian Best Singer serves as a testament to his exceptional vocal skills and enduring influence among fans.
Jungkook, a 27-year-old Korean artist, and G.E.M., a well-known Chinese singer, were named Asian Most Popular Male and Female Singers. Jungkook, who debuted as a member of BTS at the age of 15 in 2013, has become one of the most popular singers in Asia. In November 2023, his track “Seven” won the “Best K-POP Song” award at the Billboard Music Awards. On February 19 (local time February 18), he was awarded “Best Male Artist” at the People’s Choice Awards in the United States.
G.E.M., a familiar name to Chinese audiences, has amassed numerous awards since her debut in 2008. Renowned for her powerful vocals, she enjoys immense popularity among young fans. In 2023, her YouTube channel surpassed 2 billion views. Her win for Asian Most Popular Female Singer comes as no surprise given her continued success.
As the world’s first audience-based honor, the Huading Awards have successfully hosted 38 editions across various locations, becoming not only one of Asia’s most influential entertainment awards but also a bridge connecting Asian culture with the rest of the world.
American super-producer Don Mitchell once commented: “The Huading Awards are a people’s choice award, and they come from China, a country with a population exceeding 1.4 billion. As the Huading Awards grow, I believe China will create an international entertainment awards ceremony that reflects the perspective of Chinese audiences towards global entertainment programs and stars.” This sentiment underscores the significant role of the Huading Awards in promoting Chinese culture abroad and fostering cultural exchange between East and West.
