Lyia Meta, is a featured artist on the GRAMMY nominated album THE FURY by Antonio Vergara. Her voice echoes on the song DELTA SHINE. A Member of The Recording Academy and a GRAMMY®️ voting member, she is an international multi award-winning singer, songwriter, song stylist, producer and exhibited visual artist. Lyia writes her column, Through Corridors, for the International indie music magazine, Lazie Indie Magazine, where she interviews artists and pens thoughts and musings on topics that resonate with her within the musical stratosphere.
Born in Malaysia and currently based in the country’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur, Lyia finds her greatest influences in rock and blues, yet she fearlessly defies genre barriers in every project she creates, consistently delivering a refreshing sound that speaks to listeners across generations worldwide.
“I started exploring global relationships which resulted in a nomination in the Jazz category at the 2021 Hollywood Music in Media Awards and nominations at The International Portuguese Music Awards, winning at the LIT Talent Awards, and Global Music Awards, being a listed contestant at the 2022 Sarah Vaughn International Jazz Vocal Competition, among many others.”
Lyia’s inspiring passion for her craft and her phenomenal ability to effortlessly glide in and out of multiple genres, including metal and country, has led her to win remarkable acclaim around the globe. Upon the release of her debut EP “This is Lyia,” she immediately garnered stunning recognition, receiving six nominations and the award for Best Overall Female Act at the Voice Independent Music Awards (VIMA) in May 2016. Described as "raw," "organic" and "bold," the EP is a striking reflection of her roots in rock, blues, and pop and served as Meta’s springboard into the international circuit.
Following the success of her debut offering, the enchanting songstress was nominated that same year to the top 5 in the Best New Artist category at the Anugerah Industri Awards (A.I.M), Malaysia’s equivalent of the Grammy ® awards. Selected from more than 700 entries, the nomination gained her recognition on a national level.
“As an entertainer whose career focused on live performances in a cultural environment that rewarded cover bands showcasing the latest pop hits from the U.S. and other parts of the world, my own musical creativity was always bubbling away, waiting to be recognized. I released my first album, THIS IS LYIA, in 2016 and was rewarded with several nominations and awards along the way.”
Lyia’s EP “15013,”released on May 20, 2021, saw the seasoned multi-faceted visionary exploring new sonic territory, resulting in a gorgeous project that blended her earthy blues roots with compelling jazz. Through six breathtaking songs, including the magnificently nostalgic track “Daylight” (Finalist at The Rome Music Video Awards 2021 in the Original Song category), Lyia crafts an impactful story born from a tapestry of the most profound emotions and boldly shares her truth with her fans all over the world. The EP has achieved praise in Rolling Stone India and continues to receive positive press.
“Pre-pandemic, Denise Dimin, a Los Angeles songwriter, and I both belonged to a private Facebook female musician’s group and although Denise had been a fan of my work, it wasn’t until the pandemic that my schedule allowed for a collaboration. Both Denise and I, from our first discussions, were excited about creating timeless music that straddled various eras and genres. It started with one song, then an EP, “15013”, a collaboration with multi-instrumentalist / producer Bob McGilpin, and we were off to the races!”
In the wake of the success from “15013,”, Lyia released the EP “YOU THINK ABOUT ME” with her signature bluesy soulful voice. Comprised of five tracks which she co-wrote and coproduced with Nashville producer, songwriter and artist Bob McGilpin. Together they crafted songs that bring a touch of old school groove, blending the elements of R&B, Soul, Blues and Funk, creating a cohesive sound all the way through that draws from classic styles and evokes the legends of the genres!
“My next album, still during the pandemic, was a soul/R&B collaboration with Bob McGilpin, while concurrently Denise wrote the song "ALWAYS YOU" as an inducement for us to work together once more.”
“The album ALWAYS YOU started its journey with a single song, the title song, a testament to the unshakeable belief that my voice was destined to be the vessel for songwriter Denise Dimin’s heartfelt words. Denise's unwavering conviction altered the course of my artistic path, as I stepped outside of my comfort zone, exploring my own inner self and allowing the tight grip I’ve always held on my own insecurities and vulnerabilities to slip away.
With the title song "ALWAYS YOU", we were, all three - me, Denise and Bob - again, exploring our collaborative magic as I combed through Denise’s catalogue for songs that resonated with me yet had the space for me to arrange them in a way that allowed me to explore my newfound curiosity about the Jazz-Pop genre.
In ALWAYS YOU I discovered a sense of belonging, a place where I could authentically express myself. This collaboration was born amid the pandemic, a time of uncertainty that paradoxically led to a creative awakening. ALWAYS YOU became an exploration of the rich tapestry of Jazz-Pop, with a tinge of blues, a harmonious fusion that reflected the depth of our creative synergy. Denise's songs found a resonant voice within me, and in turn, I found a haven within the album; a realization that I had finally come home.”
In March of 2024, Lyia released her latest single, taking on a classic Beatles song, paying homage to the legendary artists who have shaped our musical heritage. By reimagining "ALL MY LOVING" by as a jazz-pop reinterpretation, Lyia offers a fresh perspective while honoring its timeless appeal.
Lyia acknowledges the enduring charm of this classic piece, which has captivated listeners for generations. Collaborating once more with brilliant producer Bob McGilpin and his coproducer Gene Rabbai, she reinterprets the song in a jazz-pop style, paying tribute to its iconic melody and lyrics by infusing it with her unique style and personal experiences.
"Breathing new life into a beloved classic, it seeks to remain faithful to the essence of the song while adding a delightful jazz-pop twist. This approach respects the past while offering a new take that feels both familiar and refreshing."
In April 2024, Lyia unveiled her latest single "Memorabilia," a collaboration with songwriter Mary Ann Heimann.
Building upon her past while exploring fresh interpretations and emotional depths, Lyia Meta's latest album is not just a continuation but a testament to her evolution and progression as an artist. Guided by her distinctive voice, NEXT represents the serendipitous culmination of the many factors that have brought her to this significant juncture. Collaborating with Los Angeles songwriter Denise Dimin, producer Bob McGilpin, and co-producer Gene Rabbai, Lyia steps confidently into this new chapter, embracing new possibilities and sharing her evolving story with the world. As a prelude to the album's release, she introduced the single EASIER AND EASIER on July 5th, offering her listeners and fans a glimpse of what to expect when the album debuts.
CREDITS
A truly global artist, Lyia regularly brings her enthralling sound through the Kuala Lumpur club circuit with spectacular performances. She was officially invited to perform at the 8th edition of The Texas Sounds Music Awards in Jefferson, Texas and was invited by Texas Tech University (Jefferson) to conduct a series of seminars on cultural exchange and tourism in Malaysia to promote cultural understanding and tourism between nations.
Among Lyia’s other many notable achievements include The Gold Medal Award for Best Rock Ballad for her song “Slumber,” awarded to her at the Global Music Awards, California (2017); Silver for her album, ALWAYS YOU in multiple categories, Radio Wigwam’s Best Female Artist award (2017); Her consecutive win in two years running at The Texas Sounds International Awards, in the category of Vocalist of the Year and Virtual Entertainer of the Year in 2021, followed by Female Vocalist of the Year
Entertainer of the Year in 2022. The Josie Music Awards’ World Music Artist of the Year award (2018) and multi-genre ARTIST OF THE YEAR award (2019). Nominated in the Jazz catergory for the Hollywood Music in Media Awards(HMMA) alongside luminaries such as Beyonce, Hans Zimmerman and many others. , WonBest Jazz Artist at the World Entertainment Award for her album ALWAYS YOU. She also achieved GRAMMY ®️ Award balloting for her song “SLUMBER REMIX” in 2019 and again in 2020 in the Metal Performance category, 2022 for 15013 and 2023 for ALWAYS YOU; and she was nominated in two categories for the 2020 International Portuguese Music Awards.
WINNER OF
2024
LIT TALENT AWARDS
Platinum Award
Best Song-NEXT (the album)
Best Female Vocalist- I'LL LOOK BEHIND
Best in Jazz-Pop (NEXT the album-LYIA META
Gold Award
Best Album - NEXT
Best Music Video- I'LL LOOK BEHIND
GLOBAL MUSIC AWARDS
SILVER AWARD
(Outstanding Achievement)
NEXT (album)
Words and music by Denise Dimin
Production, music, guitar by Bob McGilpin
Piano and Orchestration by Gene Rabbai
coproduced by: Gene Rabbai and Lyia Meta
2024
WORLD ENTERNTAINMENT AWARDS
Best Jazz Artist
ALWAYS YOU (album)
Words and music by Denise Dimin
Produced by Bob McGilpin and Lyia Meta
Piano and Orchestration by Gene Rabbai
2023
CANNES WORLD FILM FESTIVAL
𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙜- ALWAYS YOU
𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚-LYIA META
LIT TALENT AWARDS
𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚- ALWAYS YOU
𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙁𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝙑𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩- LYIA META
𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙁𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚-LYIA META
𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙅𝙖𝙯𝙯 𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙘- ALWAYS YOU
𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝘽𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙙𝙨 𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙘- ALWAYS YOU
𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝘼𝙡𝙗𝙪𝙢-A;LWAYS YOU
Global Music Awards 2023
SILVER Medal- Female Vocalist
SILVER Medal- Best Album 'ALWAYS YOU'
One Earth Awards 2023 (season 11)
GOLD-Best Jazz Single- ALWAYS YOU(written by Denise Dimin)
GOLD - Best Music Video (Performance)-For You(written by Denise Dimin)
Video directed/produced/Edited by Lyia Meta
Featuring Lyia Meta
HOLLYWOOD GOLD AWARDS-2023
Best Original Song- FOR YOU (written by Denise Dimin)
Rome Music Video Awards-HONORABLE MENTION-2023
Best Original Song - ALWAYS YOU (written by Denise Dimin)
Prague International Music Video Awards - HONORABLE MENTION 2023
Best Jazz Song- ALWAYS YOU (written by Denise Dimin)
2022
One Earth Awards 2022(season 7)
GOLD-Best American Roots Song - Uptown Tonight (written by Bob McGilpin and Lyia Meta)
GOLD - Best Jazz Single -This One's For You(written by Denise Dimin)
SILVER -Best Pop Song- You Think About Me The Way I Think About You- (written by Bob McGilpin and Lyia Meta)
Texas Sounds International Country Music Awards 2022
Female Vocalist of the Year
Entertainer of the Year
Milan Gold Awards- Best Original Song (Slumber)
Video director: Monique Grimme of Bongo Boy Records 2022
2021
Loud Soul Music Festival- Winner- Best Experimental Video 2021
WE ARE LORDS
Directed by Lyia Meta, Videographer Khahin Meta, Edited by Lyia Meta
Producer: Anthony Noel Yap of Big A Productions , Co Producer: Zack Meta
ACCORD Cine Fest- Best Music Video
Winner: DAYLIGHT- Jury's Choice
Texas Sounds International Country Music Awards 2021
Vocalist of the Year 2021
Virtual Entertainer of the Year 2021
LIT Talent Awards 2021.
Bagging 3 awards for her song 'THIS ONE'S FOR YOU' from her album '15013'. (songwriter: Denise Dimin, Producer Bob McGilpin, Coproducer: Lyia Meta)
Best Female singer (Platinum)
Singing Performance -Jazz (Platinum)
Best Vocal (Gold)
Global Music Awards 2021
SILVER Medal- Female Vocalist
SILVER Medal- for the album '15013'
2016 -2020
Voice Independent Music Asia- Best Overall Female Artist 2016
Anugerah Industri Muzik-Top 5 Nomnation for BEST NEW Artist 2016
Radio Wigwam Music Awards -Best Female Artist 2017
Global Music Awards- Gold Medal for song Slumber 2017
Josie Music Awards, Tennessee, USA- World Artist of the Year 2018
Josie Music Awards, Tennessee, USA- Artist of the Year 2019 (multi Genre)
Art Fest- Christmas Stars 2020- Grand Prix Award- Georgia
NODERATIONS, NOMINATIONS and OFFICIAL SELECTION / FINALIST
Listed contestant at the Sarah Vaughn international jazz vocal competition in New Jersey, 2022 & 2023
ROME Music Video Awards.
Finalist
Best Lyrics Song and Originial Song - You Think About Me the Way I Think About You]
Written by Bob /McGilpin and Lyia Meta
Hollywood Music in Media Awards 2021
Nominated- Category- Jazz
Vesuvius International Film Festival - Finalist July 2021
DAYLIGHT- Best Music Video Clip and Best Music Only
Directed by Lyia Meta, Videographer Khahin Meta, Edited by Lyia Meta
Song writer and composer : Denise Dimin
Producer: Bob McGilpin , Co Producer: Lyia Meta
Rome Music Video Awards- Finalist- 2021
DAYLIGHT - Original Song
Directed by Lyia Meta, Videographer Khahin Meta, Edited by Lyia Meta
Song writer and composer : Denise Dimin
Producer: Bob McGilpin , Co Producer: Lyia Meta
Rome Music Video Awards- Official Selection 2021
WE ARE LORDS
Directed by Lyia Meta, Videographer Khahin Meta, Edited by Lyia Meta
Producer: Anthony Noel Yap of Big A Productions , Co Producer: Zack Meta
Munich Music Video Awards- Official Selection-2021
WE ARE LORDS
Directed by Lyia Meta, Videographer Khahin Meta, Edited by Lyia Meta
Producer: Anthony Noel Yap of Big A Productions , Co Producer: Zack Meta (results pending)
UK Songwriting Competition- Semi Finalist 2021
Texas Sounds Country Music Awards 2021- Nominated
International Music Video Awards (UK)- Finalist 2021
for Video- WE ARE LORDS
Directed by Lyia Meta, Videographer Khahin Meta, Edited by Lyia Meta
Producer: Anthony Noel Yap of Big A Productions , Co Producer: Zack Meta
We Are Lords- Metal Catergory- Considered for the 63rd Grammy®Awards 2021
Josie Music Awards 2020- Nominations 2 catergories
LDM Radio Music Awards 2020- Nomination: Best Pop Song (All of My Love) 2020
International Portuguese Music Awards, USA 2020 Nominated -
Rock Song and Song of the Year
Grammy considered artist for the 62nd and 63rd Grammy ® Awards
Slumber - Craft Committee- Song considered for the 62nd Grammy® Awards 2020
Kicma Awards- Nominated, Entertainer of the Year, Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year 2019
Gran Royale Music Awards- Richmond California August 2019- Nominated: Best Feel Good Song