The Best of Hong Kong
Lifestyle News
By Yannie Chan | January 12th, 2021

One of my favorite things about this time of year is all the year-end lists and award shows that summarize the best from 2020 for you — great for if you weren’t paying attention but still curious about the state of pop culture. Want to listen to more Hong Kong music? Here’s a list of award-winning and best-reviewed songs from 2020 if you don’t know where to start.

漫長 by Rubberband

Hong Kong music band Rubberband won the coveted Favorite Music Group (叱咤樂壇我最喜愛的組合) — decided by popular vote — at the Commercial Radio’s Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation. 漫長, their most popular song from last year which can be roughly translated to “A Long Road”, is a pop-rock ballad about not giving up even though there seems to be no end in sight for the challenges and difficulties.

一人之境 Solitute by Terence Lam

Another huge hit and award-winner from singer-songwriter Terence Lam, Solitude features an addictive melody and meaningful lyrics celebrating the art of enjoying time by yourself.

呼吸有害 Breathing Is Hazardous by Karen Mok

This pop ballad by iconic singer Karen Mok won one of the grand prizes at the Commercial Radio’s Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation, and is lauded for its poetic lyrics and her skillful singing.

網絡安全隱患 by Serrini

Singer-songwriter Serrini has gained a huge fan-base in the past several years for her quirky style, down-to-earth lyrics and distinctive vocals. Roughly translating to mean “cybersecurity concerns”, 網絡安全隱患 is an upbeat dance song that encourages you to dance and party on, especially in the direst of times.

銀河修理員 Galactic Repairman by Dear Jane

Another heartwarming pop-rock ballad on the list, Galactic Repairman is a popular hit by local band Dear Jane. The song is about being each other’s support and repairman during the worst of times.

神的森林 by YoungQueenz

If you’re into hip hop, give YoungQueenz’s new album a listen. This album is his first after two years, and has received wide acclaim from local music critics. Not your regular hip hop album, Spirited Away has a mythic and cinematic sound, and is heavily inspired by religious stories and the aesthetics of Joe Hisaishi, the mastermind behind the iconic music in Hayao Miyazaki’s animations. While not to everyone’s taste, it’s been hailed as an “instant classic” in Hong Kong hip hop.

佳佳 (Gai Gai) by 南洋派對 N.Y.P.D.

The punk group 南洋派對 includes five Tai Kok Tsui residents. Their music influences are  traditional Cantonese music naamyam (南音) and local neighborhoods. Gai Gai, for instance, is about wanting to take someone to the beloved desserts shop Kai Kai Desserts in Jordan.

    • By Yannie Chan | January 12th, 2021

    One of my favorite things about this time of year is all the year-end lists and award shows that summarize the best from 2020 for you — great for if you weren’t paying attention but still curious about the state of pop culture. Want to listen to more Hong Kong music? Here’s a list of award-winning and best-reviewed songs from 2020 if you don’t know where to start.

    漫長 by Rubberband

    Hong Kong music band Rubberband won the coveted Favorite Music Group (叱咤樂壇我最喜愛的組合) — decided by popular vote — at the Commercial Radio’s Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation. 漫長, their most popular song from last year which can be roughly translated to “A Long Road”, is a pop-rock ballad about not giving up even though there seems to be no end in sight for the challenges and difficulties.

    一人之境 Solitute by Terence Lam

    Another huge hit and award-winner from singer-songwriter Terence Lam, Solitude features an addictive melody and meaningful lyrics celebrating the art of enjoying time by yourself.

    呼吸有害 Breathing Is Hazardous by Karen Mok

    This pop ballad by iconic singer Karen Mok won one of the grand prizes at the Commercial Radio’s Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation, and is lauded for its poetic lyrics and her skillful singing.

    網絡安全隱患 by Serrini

    Singer-songwriter Serrini has gained a huge fan-base in the past several years for her quirky style, down-to-earth lyrics and distinctive vocals. Roughly translating to mean “cybersecurity concerns”, 網絡安全隱患 is an upbeat dance song that encourages you to dance and party on, especially in the direst of times.

    銀河修理員 Galactic Repairman by Dear Jane

    Another heartwarming pop-rock ballad on the list, Galactic Repairman is a popular hit by local band Dear Jane. The song is about being each other’s support and repairman during the worst of times.

    神的森林 by YoungQueenz

    If you’re into hip hop, give YoungQueenz’s new album a listen. This album is his first after two years, and has received wide acclaim from local music critics. Not your regular hip hop album, Spirited Away has a mythic and cinematic sound, and is heavily inspired by religious stories and the aesthetics of Joe Hisaishi, the mastermind behind the iconic music in Hayao Miyazaki’s animations. While not to everyone’s taste, it’s been hailed as an “instant classic” in Hong Kong hip hop.

    佳佳 (Gai Gai) by 南洋派對 N.Y.P.D.

    The punk group 南洋派對 includes five Tai Kok Tsui residents. Their music influences are  traditional Cantonese music naamyam (南音) and local neighborhoods. Gai Gai, for instance, is about wanting to take someone to the beloved desserts shop Kai Kai Desserts in Jordan.