Son Tung named Singer of the Year

Top performer: Son Tung wins Singer of the year at the annual Music Devotion Awards. - Photo Thanh Tung

Son Tung’s victory came as a surprise; he beat three other A-list singers -- Hong Nhung, Thu Ha and Tung Duong. Tung Duong holds the record for having received eight trophies at the awards.

“On this occasion, I would like to first thank veteran musician Nguyen Cuong, who recommended my first song for the Bai Hat Yeu Thich (Favourite Song) television show,” Son Tung said at the award ceremony. “I would also like to remember my counterparts, who have always been there for me during my loneliest and most difficult times.”

“Actually, I’m very embarrassed. I don’t think I deserve to be one of the four nominees – the others are established singers. It is a great honour for me,” Son Tung said.

The multi-talented Son Tung got his start by posting videos online of himself singing. Besides his singing talent, his composing skill is also noteworthy, defining him as a unique singer-songwriter.

Only three years in the music industry, Son Tung is already very popular and has composed many of his own songs. He is being called a phenomenon of Vietnamese pop music because his songs are always on top of the online music billboard charts.

Last year, the singer composed 10 songs and was named the Best Southeast Asia Act of the 2015 Europe Music Awards. He also held the M-TP Ambition Live Show in HCM City and Ha Noi.

The Music Devotion Awards were also given to musician of the year, song of the year, album of the year, music video of the year, live show of the year, concert series of the year and new artist.

Tung Duong’s live show titled Thap Ky Hoan Ca (Decade of Joyful Singing) won the award for live show of the year. It is the sixth live show of Tung Duong’s career, celebrating his professional maturity.

Musician Le Duc Hung won the musician of the year award for his song titled That Bat Ngo (It’s Very Surprising), also fetching him the song of the year award. Emerging music director Nhu Dang bagged the MV of the year award for the same song that was performed by Truc Nhan.

“The award for the song That Bat Ngo shows I have the support of journalists who voted for the song,” Hung said.

The Monsoon Music Festival 2015, an international music festival organised by the Thanh Viet Company, won concert series of the year.

The festival is the second series by veteran Quoc Trung aimed at bringing new music and creating a festive atmosphere in Ha Noi and building a professional music industry.

The album Bong Toi Jazz (The Shadow of Jazz) by Giang Son was awarded album of the year. After nearly a decade of being silent, Son launched her second album Bong Toi Jazz. The album orchestra was conducted by artists Thanh Tam in Viet Nam and Vu Quang Trung in the United States.

The New artist award went to Tien Tien. Her song My Everything was also nominated for the song of the year awards. Tien’s songs are causing a “storm” in the music industry.

Most of her songs, which are performed by herself or by other artists, are quickly becoming hits and moving to the top of the domestic music charts.