Meta Sarmiento is a Guam-born Filipino living in Aurora, CO. A rapper, poet, speaker, and educator with over a decade of experience. He has worked with, taught, and performed for a culturally and socio-economically diverse set of students & audiences, both locally and globally.
His work explores themes of cultural & political identity, climate change, masculinity, and love. He and his work have been featured by Indie102.3, Rocky Mountain PBS, Denver Westword, Voyage Denver, TEDxMileHigh, NBC NEWS, TFC's Adobo Nation, Asian Avenue Magazine, Colorado Public Radio, Aspen Words, Guam Daily Post, Button Poetry, Rap Direct, and Word is Bond.
Meta has performed in a variety of venues: from intimate basement shows, to sold-out theaters. Meta has touched stages in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, France, and has facilitated workshops for more than 20,000 students.
Out of 143 Colorado artists, Meta is ranked #10 on Top Acts of 2023 by Indie 102.3. He is an Official Artist in the Discovery lineup in Denver's Underground Music Showcase 2023, a featured performer and moderator for the United Arab Emirates #RoadtoCOP28 launch in 2023, and Dignified Storytelling's feature at World Expo 2020. He is also a recipient of the 2020 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award from Denver Asian American Pacific Islander Commission; Finalist for the 2019 North Street Book Prize; Winner of multiple cyphers and rap battles; Top Finisher at 2018 WRLD UNDERGROUND MC TOURNAMENT; and a Winner of 2015 Spoken Word for the World, where he was flown to Paris, France to perform at COP21 during the United Nations Climate Negotiations. He is the author of the poetry book Tie Your Shoes Kid, and has released several hip-hop EPs: Jungle Rules, METAMOB, Nobody Knew, and This Road.
WORKSHOPS &
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Meta designs and facilitates a wide range of creative writing workshops for youth and adult learners. Many of his workshops are formulated so participants can explore writing techniques alongside universal themes or specific concepts. Meta is also able to design workshops tailored to your organization's needs. Below is just a small sample of the kinds of workshops Meta can offer.
More Than Maps
This workshop will explore the age-old question, "Where do you come from?" A village, a mountain, a beach? In this workshop, we will discuss the importance of place,
but also explore our origins that can't be found on a map.
Oceans Away
What is culture? Is it important?
In this workshop, we’ll explore the different aspects of our own cultures, and discuss how we represent or connect with them while living in America.
Anchors and Sails
Geared more for teachers, administrators, or business leaders. In this workshop, we explore the power of storytelling, its ability to ground relationships, through deeper understandings of identity and empathy.
MUSIC, POETRY, & VIDS
Meta's attempt at consolidating the island flames he was raised in and packaging them in a collection you could sweat to. Celebrate. Dance. Anything goes.
Nobody Knew is an EP where Meta finally let loose on the pain, frustration, and anger he felt about not being heard or given the respect he always knew he deserved as an artist. Hard beats and even harder lyricism
META MOB released 2022. A short collection of rap songs that represents his roots and where he's headed. Hard hitting beats with sharp punchlines. Explicit lyrics.
Go Back is a single that shows Meta's softer side. Collaborating with Sierra Lucia, the song explores regret and the desire to change the past.
From his Ep This Road, the Good I Have music video depicts Meta in isolation, contemplating life, his path as an artist, and recommitting to his focus.
Meta performs From the Sea to the Stars at the Road to COP28 in the United Arab Emirates. Meta ignites the Alwasl Dome in Dubai and delivers a powerful talk & poem about climate change.
The winner of the Best Made in the Marianas Award at Guam International Film Festival 2017. You Deserve Tomorrow is a collaborative project with Director James Davis and is a letter to a bestfriend about overcoming suicide.
Originally a contest entry, Basic is another volley at Meta's doubters and a call to elevate his comrades. The video depicts Meta looking back at many moments of his past, particularly as an artist.
Meta delivers a TEDx talk about size and strength. In a sold-out Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Meta combines talk and poetry and takes a final bow to a standing ovation.
Self-shot and self-made, Meta creates a poem and visual montage of the true spirit of the holidays while on vacation with his family in the Philippines.
Tie Your Shoes Kid is a Finalist for the 2019 North Street Book Prize, having officially ranked 22nd out of 1,657 books submitted. The collection of poems explores themes of culture, family, love, and healing.