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| Khalil Fong Posthumously Wins Double Awards at Golden Melody 2025 |
The late Khalil Fong has been recognised in a moving tribute at the Golden Melody Awards, scooping up two prestigious accolades that cement his musical legacy.
Khalil Fong, who passed away peacefully on 21 February this year after battling chronic illness for five years, was awarded Best Composer (Vocal Category) for his heartfelt track “Cai Er Shi San”.
Meanwhile, his final album “The Dreamer”, released just last year, was granted the Special Jury Award, highlighting its artistic power and Khalil Fong’s dedication to his craft even in the face of illness.
The 36th Golden Melody Awards took place at Taipei Arena on June 28, with Khalil Fong’s longtime creative partners stepping up to accept the awards on his behalf.
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Eric Lau, who handled the mixing for The Dreamer, shared how honoured he felt to stand in for Khalil Fong’s family and expressed deep gratitude to fans, the awards jury, and everyone who kept Khalil Fong’s music alive.
He recalled Khalil Fong’s meticulous approach to music, saying:
“This album was simpler, more intimate than his previous work. Even when he was unwell, he put everything into every note. That dedication is something every musician should look up to.”
Fong’s engineer and production assistant over the past decade added a touching anecdote about Khalil Fong’s patience and precision, even when working with technology:
“He never took shortcuts. He wouldn’t even use keyboard shortcuts, preferring to click through every single menu option to get it right. That’s who he was — every detail done carefully, step by step, until it felt right. That’s why his music resonates so deeply.”
While fans had hoped Khalil Fong might receive a Special Contribution Award, his management clarified that because Khalil held American citizenship, he was ineligible to receive that honour personally.
However, his independent label, Fufu Music Studio, which is legally registered in Taiwan, could still be nominated for such recognition in the future — a possible way to pay homage to Fong’s lifelong contribution to the music scene.
Fufu Music Studio was also the one to break the news of Khalil Fong’s passing on 1 March. Their statement described how the artist had peacefully moved on “to continue his mission in another dimension,” a sentiment that resonated with many who saw Khalil Fong as a spiritual, almost cosmic musical force.
One of Khalil Fong’s closest collaborators summed it up beautifully onstage:
“Khalil always said music gave him so much, and he wanted to give something back. Maybe The Dreamer is his ultimate thank-you. We’ll keep sharing his music, keep his voice alive, and keep planting the seeds of inspiration he left us.”
Another friend added emotionally:
“Khalil’s songs built a universe full of kindness and possibilities. His voice, his ideas, and his dream of a harmonious world will keep guiding us like the stars. We promise to protect his legacy so his music stays a spark for the future.”
Khalil Fong, aged 41 at the time of his passing, leaves behind a body of work that continues to touch hearts far beyond the awards stage, reminding everyone that true artistry never fades.