Lyia Meta, a Member of The Recording Academy and a GRAMMY®️ voting member, 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.”

THIS IS LYIA

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.”

15013

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!”

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YOU THINK ABOUT ME

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.”

ALWAYS YOU
 

“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.”

ALL MY LOVING

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."

MEMORABILIA

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In April 2024, Lyia unveiled her latest single "Memorabilia," a collaboration with songwriter Mary Ann Heimann.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Venturing further into the Jazz Pop genre, Lyia has exciting plans for her fans, as she is presently engaged in crafting a new album alongside songwriter Denise Dimin, producer Bob McGilpin, and Gene Rabbai.

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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.