istening, singing, being, Meta Dia (pronounced “Jah” in Senegal) embodies the philosophy of peace and un-derstanding through music. Born in Dakar, Senegal, not many days have passed that Meta has not made music one way or another. As a teenager, he rapped on the streets of Dakar under the moniker Meta Crazy and later, knowing almost no one, save maybe himself, Meta moved to New York City to make music. In New York, Meta became enlivened by the roots-rock-reggae that had been transplanted to America by the Jamaican exodus. After putting together a tight core of international musicians from the world over, Meta began experimenting with the sounds he heard in his own life; from the American soul and the traditional Senegalese singers played in his mother’s kitchen, to the reggae, rap and rhapsody on the streets of Dakar and Brooklyn. In the interweaving of these sounds with the numerous Afro-beats and Latin melodies pulsing and floating through New York’s vibrant musical enclaves, Meta and The Cornerstones was born.
Clive Chin renowned Jamaican record producer whose work includes seminal recordings by The Wailers, Dennis Brown, Lee “Scratch”Perry and Black Uhuru, among others said :
“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 a 5 star. My personal favorite is ‘Somewhere in Africa”.
Clive Chin- VP Records/17North Parade
Meta and the Cornerstones debut album Forward Music (2008) is available on Itunes and Amazon.
A remix of Somewhere in Africa Feat. Peetah Morgan has been released in February 2010 and premiered on National Geographic Music Website.
Meta & The Cornerstones’ second album entitled “ANCIENT POWER” which was recorded at Tuff Gong, Jamaica and produced by Sidney Mills (Steel Pulse) is due out on the 12th of March.
The album “ANCIENT POWER” links Africa with Jamaica featuring Capleton, Damian Marley & Daddy U-Roy.