M.I.A. is UK singer/rapper Maya Arulpragasam. Hailing from Sri Lanka via London, her early underground singles, Galang and Sunshowers, shocked listeners with harp lyrics about urban unease thrown on top of raw beats you could dance to.
In late 2004 she collaborated with Diplo to release a hip-hop style promotional mixtape showcasing her distinctive vocal style and quirky rapping over dancehall rhythms and instrumental tracks by platinum artists like Missy Elliot and Jay-Z. The Piracy Funds Terrorism Vol. 1 mixtape had roughly the same effect as gasoline on an open fire; the project made many critics' "best of" list for 2004 while simultaneously cementing her proper album Arular as the most anticipated
release of 2005.
Arular was released early 2005, and saw her covering topics like teenage prostitution, poverty, war and consumerism, all delivered in her spitting, scattergun style. With a devastating backdrop of dislocated beats and pounding basslines, M.I.A.’s unparalleled mongrel mix of hip-hop, ragga, dancehall, electro and punk saw Arular garner praise from far and wide, including being short listed for the Mercury Music Prize.
M.I.A. is now set to release her second studio album, Kala. Joining forces with MI.A. on the production side once more is Diplo, as well as the likes of Timbaland, DJ Blaqstarr and Three 6 Mafia. Co-produced by UK DJ and producer, Switch,
Boyz is the first single to be taken from the album and features M.I.A.’s signature infectious beats. Na na na na na na na!
Boyz and Kala are due for release later this year through XL/Remote Control.
