Ten years after he won the inaugural Singapore Idol, Taufik Batisah is still on top of his game.
The Singapore singer emerged a big winner at Friday's regional Malay music awards show, Anugerah Planet Muzik (APM), bagging three of the 19 awards handed out.
These are the Most Popular Song (Singapore), Most Popular Artist and Social Media Icon awards. All three were based on fan votes, submitted to the APM Facebook page.
Organised by MediaCorp's Malay Broadcast Division, Suria and radio stations Warna 94.2FM and RIA 89.7FM, the awards show is in its 13th year this year.
Besides thanking his record company, Hype Records, his family and fans, the 33-year-old showed his comedic side by addressing his mother, who was at home, saying, "Don't pick up that cold drink, Mum. You're not supposed to drink cold drinks or you'll cough. I'm watching you."
In fact, one could be forgiven for thinking that they were watching the Taufik Batisah Show instead, with the popular singer performing three songs, including his new single, #AwakKatMane (Where Are You), off his recent album, Fique.
Other big winners include Malaysian singer Siti Nurhaliza, Indonesian alternative group Noah and Indonesian singer Cakra Khan, who took two trophies each. Noah won for best band for the second year running.
Despite being the biggest nominee with six nominations, Singapore singer Awi Rafael went home with only one award, Best Collaboration (Artist), for the song Kalau Aku Kaya (If I Were Rich) with Malaysian singer Altimet.
This was a good year for first-time nominees - a visibly nervous Sufie Rashid, 23, accepted the award for Best Singapore Song, while 20-year-old Aisyah was emotional when she accepted the win for Best Collaboration (Song).
"I'm going to cry," she said, just before shedding tears.
She admitted later that she had not worn shoes onstage because she "did not expect" to win.
The older artists were hardly forgotten, however.
Siti alluded to her seniority during the ceremony, joking that she had never received the Best New Female Artist award and that it was too late to do so, but the 35-year-old bagged the coveted Best Female Artist award, which is chosen by the APM jury.
The show also paid tribute to Malay rock legend Wings, giving them the Planet Music Special Award. The band, led by frontman Awie, have been in the industry for 28 years.
The night of celebrations was watched by a packed auditorium at Suntec City Convention Centre. The hashtag #APM2014 trended worldwide for the first time, reflecting the significance of the regional Malay music scene.
WINNERS
Winners of major awards
Best New Artist (Male)
Tulus (Indonesia) for Jangan Cintai Aku Apa Adanya
Best New Artist (Female)
Fynn Jamal (Malaysia) for Arjuna Beta
Best Collaboration (Artist)
Altimet (Malaysia) & Awi Rafael (Singapore) for Kalau Aku Kaya
Best Collaboration (Song)
Mimpi by Aisyah Aziz (singer), Faizal Tahir (composer and lyricist) and Omar K (lyricist)
Best Male Artist
Judika (Indonesia) for Mama Papa Larang
Best Female Artist
Dato' Siti Nurhaliza (Malaysia) for Lebih Indah
Best Duo/Group
Dato' Rossa and Hafiz (Malaysia) for Salahkah
Best Band
Noah (Indonesia) for Tak Lagi Sama
Best Song (Singapore)
Tiada Pengganti by Sufie Rashid (singer and lyricist), Izwan Khuzair and Rusdi Badri (composers) and Shafiq Iskandar (lyricist)
Best APM Song
Setelah Kau Tiada by Cakra Khan (singer and Aldi Nada Permana (composer and lyricist).
Most Popular Singapore Artist
Taufik Batisah
Most Popular Singapore Song
Ikrar Kasih by Taufik Batisah
Most Popular APM Artist
Noah (Indonesia)
Most Popular APM Song
Dia Dia Dia by Fatin Shidqia Lubis (Indonesia)
Social Media Icon
Taufik Batisah (Singapore)
Planet Music Special Award
Wings (Malaysia)
