Rewards and Responsibility

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January 19, 2012 Every year during December and January, Hong Kong’s major radio and television stations hold their annual music award ceremonies.  For audiences all over, these award shows have become entertaining ways to review outstanding performers and their work.  For artistes however, these ceremonies have come to bring more mixed emotions. 

For those who are well established, these moments are often like icing on a cake; but for those who are still striving for broader recognition, these award results can bring about complicated feelings.  I can’t speak for everyone else, but for me, it’s times like this when I get a chance to remind myself of who I really want to be. 

Being an independent label singer trying to balance popular music with what I feel is inspiring work is often a lonely task.  With no clear guidelines as how to make it work, my colleagues and I often stress over how to balance artistic integrity and commercial success.  Hoping to gain wider exposure so as to share our messages, we know that we must first achieve a certain degree of popularity.  Challenging the norm has however always been an important part of what we hope to do.  Straddling this fine line and constantly taking risks, we often see mainstream media awards as something we very much appreciate but dare not aim for directly.

All that being said, the media really has been good to me.  With results this year that have made my team and fans proud, the road ahead seems promising.  Being rewarded for what we have worked so hard for is truly a blessing.  It is however also a responsibility; a responsibility to live up to the encouragement I have been given and be who I really want to be. And onward we go! -JWo

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