Another milestone covered by the station that hits you where it matters. Close Up 15th Hits FM Music Awards, 2068 was held grandly on Friday, January 6, at Army Officer’s Club, Bhadrakali whose auditorium echoed with applause for the big winners. The awards ceremony certainly raised the bar high up for its contemporaries by putting forth one power packed show.
Albatross and Narendra Pyasi were the big winners at the biggest musical extravaganza with both winning three awards each. Beating giants like 1974 AD and Nepathya, Albatross’ hit “Chhaina” scooped the trophies for Best Performance By A Group or Duo With Vocal, Best Rock Composition, and Best Rock Vocal Performance. Pyasi, on the other hand, walked away with the accolades of Best Male Vocal Performance and Record of the Year for the single “Maya O Maya” which also won Best Composition. Musician Ashish Abiral took the award. Pyasi’s collaboration with Anju Pant “Jaam Kyaare” won Best Vocal Collaboration. “Haansi Haansi” by Sangeeta Rana Pradhan was honoured as Best Arrangement and Best Female Vocal Performance.
Performances from artistes, who were mostly nominees, such as Dibya Subba & The Blue Acidz, Sangeeta Rana Pradhan, 11:30 Basan, Nhyoo Bajracharya, Ram Krishna Dhakal, and Narendra Pyasi dotted the event. 1974 AD teamed up with Shubani Moktan for a powerful performance that rocked the stage.
Aimed to honour personalities who have immensely contributed to Nepali music industry, Lifetime Achievement Award for this year went to veteran poet and lyricist Chhetra Pratap Adhikari.
During the ceremony, short comedic satirical skits with social messages regarding Nepali music were screened. They came under the banner of Hits FM Sasto Production. Apart from that, the highlight of the show was award presenter Komal Oli flirting with the host of show- Hits FM 91.2 RJ Biraj Khadka.
Here’s the complete winner’s list:
| Best New Artist | |
| Seema Sangraula | Ke Nai Runuchha Ra |
| Best Song Originally Recorded For A Motion Picture Soundtrack | |
| Suresh Adhikari | Kasle Choryo Mero Maan |
| Best Vocal Collaboration | |
| Anju Panta / Narendra Pyasi | Jaam Kyare |
| Best Female Pop Vocal Performance | |
| Puspa Gurung | Rog Ho Ki Yo Dosh Ho |
| Best Male Pop Vocal Performance | |
| Om Bikram Bista | Gahro Paryo |
| Best Performance By A Group or Duo With Vocal | |
| Albatross | Chhaina |
| Folk Record Of the Year | |
| Tulsi Parajuli | Patanko Paatalo Chiura |
| Folk Album of the Year | |
| Rup Kumar Rai | Ram Sailli |
| Best Pop Composition | |
| Jems Pradhan | Gahro Paryo |
| Best Rock Composition | |
| Albatross | Chhaina |
| Best Arrangement | |
| Amul Karki Dhali | Hansi Hansi |
| Best Composition | |
| Ashish Abiral | Maya O Maya |
| Best Rock Vocal Performance | |
| Albatross | Chhaina |
| Best Female Vocal Performance | |
| Sangeeta Rana Pradhan | Hansi Hansi |
| Best Male Vocal Performance | |
| Narendra Pyasi | Maya O Maya |
| Pop / Rock Album Of The Year | |
| 1974 AD | Aath Aathaara |
| Album of the Year | |
| Rajesh Payal Rai | Rai is King |
| Song of the Year | |
| Kali Prasad Rijal | Nadi Tarera |
| Record Of The Year | |
| Narendra Pyasi | Maya O Maya |