HONG KONG – Popular Cantopop singer Hong Kaho celebrated the launch of his seventh solo album, CANVAS, with a signing event on Tuesday in a local shopping mall, drawing approximately 200 enthusiastic fans. The event provided an immediate opportunity for the artist to share his excitement following a pivotal career milestone: securing his first-ever industry accolade at a major awards ceremony the previous night.
During the fan meet-and-greet, Kaho performed tracks from the new record. Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the singer paused briefly during his emotive track “Beast” (trans. 畜生), admitting moments later that he had forgotten a few lines. The candid mistake led to a humorous, self-deprecating comment backstage. “I might have been too focused on looking at the fans below,” he said, laughing. “I completely blanked and missed a small part of the lyrics. Talk about being a ‘beast’ myself!”
The Thrill of Recognition and Industry Reflection
The signing session followed closely on the heels of the Neway Pop Music Awards 2025 (formerly Metro Radio Hits Music Awards), where Kaho was honored with the Silver Award for Best Singer-Songwriter. He described the recognition as a tremendous motivation, acknowledging the effort and sacrifice poured into his compositions throughout his performing career.
However, the singer revealed he had no immediate plans for lavish self-reward. “I used to enjoy tinkering with and modifying cars, but as I’ve gotten older, my desire for material possessions has lessened,” he explained, indicating he required no specific treat for his achievement.
His attendance at the Neway Pop Music Awards also highlighted a significant development for his label, Warner Music. The company’s apparent reconciliation with the broadcaster, after what public observers noted was a multi-year strained relationship, yielded substantial results, with Warner-affiliated artists sweeping up 14.5 awards collectively.
Kaho expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity to attend the ceremony, noting that large gatherings of local artists are rare, typically occurring only two or three times a year. “I can’t recall the last time I was at the Neway ceremony—it’s probably been three to five years,” he mused. “While winning an award is naturally gratifying, and not winning is a slight disappointment, the greatest joy is seeing new talent get the chance to perform on stage.”
Spotting Future Stars: A Creative Partnership
Beyond his own success, Kaho also took a moment to express pride in the achievements of collaborator Gordon Flanders, who had publicly thanked Kaho during his own acceptance speech. Kaho proudly recalled that he was the first artist to commission Flanders for the popular song “Filthy Child” (污糟兒).
Seeing the subsequent rush of artists seeking out Flanders’ expertise has filled Kaho with satisfaction. He referred to it as validation of his own instincts. “I am absolutely delighted for him and feel a sense of smugness for discovering his talent early on,” Kaho remarked, underscoring the importance of nurturing creative connections within the competitive music scene.
The launch of CANVAS represents Kaho’s continued evolution as a songwriter and performer. As the Hong Kong music industry navigates shifts in awards politics and recognizes homegrown talent, Kaho’s recent win and the enthusiasm surrounding his new album solidifies his position as one of the territory’s essential contemporary music voices. Fans are now anticipating a potential concert tour announcement to follow the success of CANVAS.
