M.I.A. is a British singer and rapper born on July 18, 1975, in Hounslow, London.
Her early life was marked by the Sri Lankan Civil War, which significantly influenced her artistic development.
M.I.A.'s debut album, "Arular," was released in 2005 and received critical acclaim.
Biography
Early Life
M.I.A., born Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam on July 18, 1975, in Hounslow, London, is a British singer, rapper, songwriter, record producer, and activist. She is the daughter of Arul Pragasam, a Sri Lankan Tamil engineer and activist, and Kala, a seamstress. When she was just six months old, her family moved to Jaffna, Sri Lanka, where her father became a political activist. M.I.A.'s early life was marked by the turmoil of the Sri Lankan Civil War, leading to significant displacement and poverty. Her family eventually relocated to Madras, India, where they lived in difficult conditions, further shaping her artistic perspective.
Career
M.I.A. emerged as a prominent figure in the music industry, known for her unique blend of genres including alternative hip-hop, dance music, and world music. Her debut album, "Arular," released in 2005, showcased her innovative sound and political themes, followed by critically acclaimed works such as "Kala" and "/\/\ / Y /\". M.I.A. has been recognized for her ability to challenge industry norms, often described as an "anti-popstar" for her refusal to conform to traditional expectations. Her music is characterized by a mix of electronic instruments and samples, drawing from diverse influences ranging from Tamil film music to punk rock.
Personal Life and Legacy
M.I.A. has had a dynamic personal life, including a notable relationship with DJ Diplo and later with Benjamin Bronfman, with whom she shares a son. Raised as a Hindu, she experienced a spiritual transformation in 2017, becoming a born-again Christian. Her legacy in music is profound; she has been hailed for her provocative imagery and ability to articulate the experiences of the developing world through her art. Critics have noted her influence on contemporary hip-hop and fashion-rap, marking her as a significant figure in the evolution of modern music.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
M.I.72026
- 1.TRUMPET 11:00
- 2.PRAYER 7773:46
- 3.TRUMPET 20:28
- 4.JESUS3:32
- 5.SACRED HEART2:52
- 6.TRUMPET 30:27
- 7.MONEY3:01
- 8.TRUMPET 40:42
- 9.CIRCLE2:34
- 10.TRUMPET 50:47
- 11.CALLING3:41
- 12.TRUMPET 60:50
- 13.RIDE THE SKY3:00
- 14.TRUMPET 70:50
- 15.EVERYTHING3:23
- 16.30 MINUTES OF SILENCE33:05
BELLS COLLECTION2023
- 1.BELLS COLLECTION41:21
MATA2022
- 1.F.I.A.S.O.M., Pt. 11:31
- 2.F.I.A.S.O.M., Pt. 22:50
- 3.100% Sustainable2:24
- 4.Beep1:59
- 5.Energy Freq2:46
- 6.The One2:26
- 7.Zoo Girl2:53
- 8.Time Traveller3:03
- 9.Popular3:06
- 10.Puththi2:40
- 11.K.T.P. (Keep the Peace)2:16
- 12.MATA LIFE1:33
- 13.Marigold3:36
AIM2016
- 1.Borders4:12
- 2.Go Off3:05
- 3.Bird Song (Blaqstarr remix)3:01
- 4.Jump In2:23
- 5.Freedun4:42
- 6.Foreign Friend4:23
- 7.Finally3:01
- 8.A.M.P (All My People)3:21
- 9.Ali R U OK?3:30
- 10.Visa2:51
- 11.Fly Pirate2:25
- 12.Survivor3:00
- 13.Bird Song (Diplo remix)3:23
- 14.The New International Sound, Pt. 23:28
- 15.Swords2:25
- 16.Talk2:15
- 17.Platforms2:56
Matangi2013
- 1.Karmageddon1:34
- 2.MATANGI5:12
- 3.Only 1 U3:12
- 4.Warriors3:41
- 5.Come Walk With Me4:43
- 6.aTENTion3:40
- 7.Exodus5:08
- 8.Bad Girls3:47
- 9.Boom Skit1:15
- 10.Double Bubble Trouble2:59
- 11.Y.A.L.A.4:23
- 12.Bring the Noize4:35
- 13.Lights4:35
- 14.Know It Ain’t Right3:42
- 15.Sexodus4:50
Matangi Mix for Kenzo2013
- 1.MATANGI Mix for Kenzo8:27
MINDFVCK2010
- 1.Steppin’ Up3:55
- 2.Bucky Done Gone (Little Computer People remix)2:45
- 3.Boyz (remix)4:23
- 4.Worldtown2:28
- 5.Paper Planes (Scottie B remix)3:33
- 6.Xr23:08
- 7.Bamboo Banga3:44
- 8.Illygirl1:51
- 9.10 Dollar3:58
- 10.XXXO (remix)3:03
- 11.Galangrox (Xerox remix)3:40
- 12.Hombre2:33
- 13.Who’s Going to Find the Pot Party (DJ BC & Gloria Gaynor remix)3:36
- 14.Pull Up the People2:42
- 15.Believer3:10
- 16.Bachelorette Fire (Agro1 remix)4:02
- 17.Tell Me Why3:53
- 18.Paper Planes (remix)3:43
- 19.Tequila (remix)2:39
- 20.Haters3:45
- 21.Come Around3:47
- 22.Born Free4:14
/\/\ /\ Y /\2010
- 1.The Message0:57
- 2.Steppin Up4:01
- 3.XXXO2:54
- 4.Teqkilla6:19
- 5.Lovalot2:50
- 6.Story to Be Told3:32
- 7.It Takes a Muscle3:00
- 8.It Iz What It Iz3:29
- 9.Born Free4:07
- 10.Meds and Feds3:08
- 11.Tell Me Why4:10
- 12.Space3:08
- 13.Caps Lock3:58
- 14.Believer3:14
- 15.Internet Connection2:50
- 16.Illygirl2:13
Maya2010
- 1.The Message0:57
- 2.Steppin Up4:01
- 3.XXXO2:54
- 4.Teqkilla6:19
- 5.Lovalot2:50
- 6.Story to Be Told3:32
- 7.It Takes a Muscle3:00
- 8.It Iz What It Iz3:29
- 9.Born Free4:07
- 10.Meds and Feds3:08
- 11.Tell Me Why4:10
- 12.Space3:08
- 13.Caps Lock3:58
- 14.Believer3:14
- 15.Internet Connection2:50
- 16.Illygirl2:13
Vicki Leekx2010
- 1.The World+Intro1:39
- 2.Bamboo Go0:58
- 3.Illy Girl0:46
- 4.Super Tight1:27
- 5.Let Me Hump You2:10
- 6.WWW/Meds/Feds1:57
- 7.Steppin/Up1:01
- 8.Go at It1:32
- 9.Vicki Intermission0:20
- 10.Gen -N‐E‐Y3:05
- 11.Bad Girls2:13
- 12.Dutch Dutch0:19
- 13.Marsha/Britney2:16
- 14.Tamil Beat Munchi1:17
- 15.Listen Up2:48
- 16.Mudersounds Munchi2:30
- 17.Override3:12
- 18.You My Love3:08
- 19.Get Around3:31
Kala2007
- 1.Bamboo Banga4:58
- 2.Bird Flu3:25
- 3.Boyz3:27
- 4.Jimmy3:29
- 5.Hussel4:25
- 6.Mango Pickle Down River3:54
- 7.20 Dollar4:34
- 8.World Town3:54
- 9.The Turn3:52
- 10.XR24:20
- 11.Paper Planes3:24
- 12.Come Around3:54
- 13.Far Far3:25
- 14.Big Branch2:45
- 15.What I Got3:16
Arular2005
- 1.Banana Skit0:36
- 2.Pull Up the People3:45
- 3.Bucky Done Gun3:46
- 4.Fire Fire3:28
- 5.Freedom Skit0:43
- 6.Amazon4:17
- 7.Bingo3:12
- 8.Hombre4:02
- 9.One for the Head Skit0:30
- 10.10 Dollar4:01
- 11.Sunshowers3:16
- 12.Galang / M.I.A.7:21
Piracy Funds Terrorism, Volume 12004
Tracklist not collected yet.
Paper Planes2008
Tracklist not collected yet.
Boyz2007
Tracklist not collected yet.
Jimmy2007
Tracklist not collected yet.
BirdFlu2006
Tracklist not collected yet.
Orgaga & Surkin Reworks2005
Tracklist not collected yet.
Bucky Done Gun2005
Tracklist not collected yet.
Hombre2005
Tracklist not collected yet.
Sunshowers2004
Tracklist not collected yet.
Show all 9
Galang2003
Tracklist not collected yet.
Sunshine (The Remix EP)2010
Tracklist not collected yet.
How Many Votes Fix Mix2008
Tracklist not collected yet.
Live Session EP (iTunes Exclusive)2005
Tracklist not collected yet.
Label
- Record label
- Interscope Records
- Record label
- XL Recordings
- Record label
- Roc Nation
- Record label
- Polydor Records
- Record label
- Mercury Records
- Record label
- N.E.E.T. Recordings
- Record label
- Virgin EMI Records
Achievements
- Award
- Member of the Order of the British Empire
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: MIA, Mathangi Arulpragasam, Maya Arulpragasam, மாதங்கி 'மாயா' அருள்பிரகாசம்
Mathangi Arulpragasam, known as Maya and professionally as M.I.A., is a British singer, rapper, songwriter, record producer, and activist. Her music combines elements of alternative, dance, electronic, hip hop and world music with electronic instruments and samples.
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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