M.I.A.

MIA is truly an artist that makes her own music and does her own thing.  MIA, Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, was born in July sometime between 1975-1977.  She was born in Hounslow, London but shortly after moved to Sri Lanka where her family originated.  Mathangi’s father took part in a civil war that took place in Sri Lanka during her youth.  Arul Pragasm, MIA’s father, was part of the rebel group the Tamil Tigers.  Since the tension of the war increased and Mathangi’s school was destroyed in the war the family moved to London.  MIA was raised in London developing a love for punk and electro.  Originally involved with design, painting, and photography, she attended Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design.  Only after graduating did she start he music career.

            MIA released her first album Arular in 2005.  Since MIA fell out of contact with her father and could not find a way to contact him she named the album after him hoping that if he searched his name he would find her and contact her.  The album was successful reaching number three in the U.S. Billboard of Top Electronic Albums.  Two years later MIA released her second studio album Kala; named after her mother.  The album was recorded in various studios except in the United States where MIA’s visa was rejected.  Kala had an outstanding commercial success with the single Paper Planes.  The song Paper Planes was used all across America in films such as Pineapple Express and Slumdog Millionaire.  The song utilized samples from Straight to Hell by The Clash and samples of gunshots and cash registers.  In 2010 MIA released her latest studio album Maya, written /\/\/\Y/\.  The album was helped produced by Rusko, a famous UK dubstep artist.

            What sets MIA apart from the masses is her culture and creativity she brings to her music.  Similar to Brian Wilson MIA traveled to multiple countries and studios to record her albums incorporating music from a variety of cultures.  On her song Hussel she features the Nigerian artist Afrikan Boy.  Mathangi continued to stick to her Sri Lankan roots on all of her studio album and continued to be herself despite the stardom.  Her creativity knows no bounds; each of her songs sounds like a melting pot of music.  As an industry professional everything about MIA astonishes me.  Her sounds, art style, and lyrical content all remain unique to her.  I hope that one day I may be able to work for MIA.