SINAGPORE: The biggest regional and global music talents in the Chinese music scene will be converging here on Saturday for the Singapore Hit Awards.

Into its 14th year, this event awards the most outstanding talents from Singapore and overseas, notably from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and China.

Some of the local artistes making an appearance include first season Superband winner Mi Lu Bing, singer Joi Chua and newcomer Derrick Hoh, while overseas stars include Malaysian songstress Fish Leong, Taiwanese rock band Mayday and Hong Kong singer-actor Eason Chan.

The Singapore Hit Awards also plays a role in "acknowledging local artistes", says Ms. Foong Wai See, Programme Director of Singapore's Y.E.S. 93.3FM.

Y.E.S. 93.3FM is the organiser of the award ceremony, and will broadcast the event live from its station, while co-organiser Channel U will broadcast it on television.

Local songbird Tanya Chua has bagged eight nominations, the highest amongst all the artistes. A couple of her nominations include Best Album Producer for her sixth album ‘Goodbye and Hello’, Most Popular Female Artiste and Best Performing Female Artiste.

In addition, whether the newcomers are gaining popularity through mainstream or alternative avenues, Ms. Foong shares that it is important to "recognise and encourage their presence in the music scene".

Some of the newcomers vying for ‘Most Popular Newcomer’ are Yoga Lin and Jam Hsiao - spotted during the first season of popular Taiwanese reality TV singing competition One Million Star, Chinese singer Jade Liu - who found fame in China's singing contest Super Girls, and Singapore twins By2.

Boybands 5566, Energy and F4, along with rock band Mayday and female trio S.H.E. are just a few of the nominees battling it out for ‘Favourite Group’.

‘Most Popular Male Singer’ nominees include Wang Lee-Hom, Wu Jia Hui, JJ Lin, Jay Chou and Show Luo while the ‘Most Popular Female Singer’ category will see songstresses Jolin Tsai, Fish Leong, Elva Hsiao, A-mei, Angela Chang and Rainie Yang going head to head with each other.

There is another cause for celebration.

As part of Singapore’s popular Chinese music chart ‘Pick of the Pops’ 25th anniversary this year, a special tribute will be paid to iconic artistes who have "shown remarkable achievements on the chart for the past 25 years".

Online voters have a 40 per cent chance in influencing the outcome for ‘Most Popular’ award categories while the rest of the 60 per cent will be determined by the song or artiste's chart positioning.

The winners for the rest of the categories are determined by professional judging.

The Singapore Hit Awards will be held on October 25, 7.30pm at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Tickets for this star-studded night of entertainment are on sale via SISTIC at S$38, S$58 and S$98.

- CNA/jk/yb