Lyia Meta makes history as first Malaysian singer nominated for Grammy Award

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian-born singer Lyia Meta further solidified her position on the international stage as her vocals in her album were nominated for a Grammy Award.

Through her song "Delta Shine," a collaboration with Latin-American musician Antonio Vergara, Meta earned a nomination in the category of Best Contemporary Blues Album.

For Meta, this nomination represented more than personal success; it highlighted the potential of Malaysian artists to compete and excel on the global stage.

"For independent artists, being part of an album nominated for a Grammy is more than just an honour.

"Without the backing of major labels, this is confirmation of one’s dedication to creating something meaningful, like turning straw into gold amidst the noise," Meta said, as quoted in a report by Free Malaysia Today on Monday.

The nominations for the 2025 Grammy Awards were announced last Friday, and Meta expressed hope for support on music's biggest night in Los Angeles on Feb 2 next year.

Although Meta became the first Malaysian singer involved in a Grammy nomination, Malaysian-born composer Zuraini Khalid Zonneveld had previously won a Grammy for a blues album.

Zuraini, based in the United States, co-wrote the song "One Friend" with American blues musician Keb' Mo' on the album Keep It Simple, which won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2005.

Another prominent Malaysian-American, Phil Tan, an audio engineer and mixer, has won three Grammys and received 14 nominations.

Meta's journey to the Grammy stage began when Vergara invited her to collaborate on The Fury.

Vergara, known for his emotionally charged music, sought a new voice to add depth to his album, and Meta’s unique vocal style made her the ideal choice for the project.

"When I received Antonio's invitation to join the blues album, I realised it was an opportunity to explore another channel of expression.

"The Grammy nomination for Antonio's album—and as he generously put it, ‘our album’—is proof that every late night, every self-doubt, and every moment spent creating authentic music truly matters.

"I never imagined I would be part of something like this. It’s an honor to work with such talented musicians who are respected by the industry in this way," she said.

Meta described the nomination as a reminder that, as an independent artist, even without full support from the industry, perseverance, creativity, and relationships can resonate on the global stage, turning hard-earned dreams into reality.

Meta is also actively involved in musical projects with her friend Denise Dimin from the US.

"Denise has been a great source of encouragement, pushing me to pursue collaborations that expand my artistic range," she said.

This partnership led to projects like Descendents (in 79 languages) in the Global Music Album category and Next, her own album with Denise, in the Traditional Pop Vocal Album category. "Both albums are also listed in the current Grammy nominations," she added. - AWANI