HONG KONG — The fiercely contested race for the Metro Radio Hits Awards 2025 intensified this week following the release of initial public voting data, signaling an intense battle between established stars and emerging talent across the Hong Kong music scene. The highly anticipated annual awards ceremony is scheduled for December 27 at 3 p.m. at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.
The preliminary results, tabulated after the first week of online voting which began on December 1, have revealed the frontrunners vying for the eight publicly decided categories. This year’s nominee pool is exceptionally large, adding to the competitive environment; for instance, the Metro Hits Song category features 228 eligible tracks, while 79 male artists and 66 female artists are competing for the top vocalist honors.
In the Metro Hits Male Artist category, a significant showdown is unfolding between veteran powerhouses and chart-topping newer acts. The top ten list includes perennial favorites like Hins Cheung, alongside newer sensations such as MC Cheung Tinfu and Terence Lam. Mirror members Keung To and Ian Chan also secured strong initial positions, highlighting the significant influence of fan-driven idol culture. Other notable contenders in the early running include Gareth.T, Jason Chan, Phil Lam, Altony Ng, and Nick Cheung. Social media platforms have reportedly become central battlegrounds, with fan clubs aggressively campaigning for their respective idols.
The female vocalist category, the Metro Hits Female Artist, is equally dynamic. Early leaders include Gin Lee, Kiri T, Moon Tang, Vincy Chan, Panther Chan, Eman Lam, Kay Tse, Charmaine Fong, and Cath Wong. A surprising development involves the sudden rise of newcomer “Salty Chick” (known in Chinese as “鹽焗雞”). Driven by robust support from online communities, Salty Chick transitioned from a dark horse to secure a place in the initial top ten. Industry analysts are closely watching to see if this grassroots surge can be sustained against more commercially established artists.
The overall outcome of the awards remains heavily reliant on public support. The judging criteria maintain the established weighting structure: public voting accounts for 40% of the final score, making it the most significant determining factor. The remaining distribution is allocated among Metro Radio hosts and senior music professionals (20%), core committee members (30%), and management (10%).
The revealed voting trends underscore the passion of Cantopop fandom. Questions now abound within the industry and among fans: Can Keung To maintain his reign as the most popular male artist? Will Salty Chick achieve a major upset victory? And will the sheer volume of work released by established artists like Jason Chan and Cath Wong translate into final award recognition?
The intense lobbying and strategic campaigning are expected to accelerate in the coming weeks, serving as a pulse check on shifting loyalties and evolving preferences within the dynamic local music scene.
