For the past few years, Meta and the Cornerstones have been tearing up the US (and particularly New York) reggae scene with music deep in passionate lyrics and catchy hooks. They have opened for and toured with reggae stars such as Luciano, Steel Pulse, Yellowman, Israel Vibration, Clinton Fearon, and Scratch Perry, and last year were invited by international superstar and Senegalese born artist Youssou N'Dour, to perform at his annual 'African Ball' concert at the Nokia Theater, NYC.
So it was with much anticipation the fans of this talented international reggae and world music band met the release of their first CD, Forward Music, in May 2008. This album delivers 13 killer tracks and some of the band’s biggest hits such as “Senegal” and “Cornerstone”. Clive Chin, renowned Jamaican record producer whose work includes seminal recordings by The Wailers, Dennis Brown, Lee Perry, and Black Uhuru, among others, says, "Meta and the Cornerstones have taken us back to the foundation of reggae music. I'm from the old school and it reminds me of my days. It's a band that sounds tight and wicked with infectious lyrics. The album is brilliant. I give it five stars. My personal favorite is 'Somewhere in Africa’.”
Born in Senegal, West Africa, Meta Dia grew a deep love and appreciation for all types of music. As a child, while listening to his mother play Gregory Isaacs and Bob Marley on the radio, his appreciation for reggae music was founded, as was his desire to be a musician. In Senegal, Meta is known as a pioneer of the voice and culture of Hip Hop. He began performing on the streets and stages of Dakar at the age of 14. In 2000, Meta formed his first group, Yalla Suuren (God Bless) and quickly gained celebrity recognition. Yalla Suuren was nominated as the Best Hip Hop/Reggae group by the French Cultural Center in 2000.
Moving to the USA in 2002, he began to collaborate with artists such as Sean Blackman, hip hop pioneer Toni Blackman, and many others. He formed the band Meta and the Cornerstones with some of the best musicians in New York City: Adrian Djoman (bass), Shahar Mintz (lead guitar), Andre Daniel (keyboards), Ian Joseph (drums), and Daniel Serrato (rhythm guitar). These talented artists brought their musical influences from the four corners of the earth, including Trinidad, Israel, and Cote d'Ivoire.
Meta's talented writing and phenomenal voice take you back to the roots of reggae music as he infuses his songs with rnb, soul, and African influences performing in English, French, Wolof, and Fulani. Meta says "every song reflects a story of my life about when I moved from Senegal to the USA; about not being able to speak English, love, fighting with friends, surviving; I write about my emotions and experiences". Whilst recording in the legendary Lion Fox Recording Studios, they were honored to have Junior Marvin of The Wailers perform the guitar solo on their song titled 'Time to Fight'.
Meta and the Cornerstones create music that is positive and uplifting. "We want to inspire tolerance and unity with our wondergreat music". – Meta Dia
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