Maya Arulpragasam, otherwise known as the Sri Lankan rap-pop dynamo M.I.A., is an artist that’s hard to miss and even harder to ignore. She’s spent the past few years plastered all over music blogs, feminist magazines, and Late Night with David Letterman (which led to beef when the show censored her gunshot sound effects during her performance of “Paper Planes”) despite edgy lyrics about crime and poverty and a slightly grimy sound inspired by international genres that most of her fans probably haven’t heard of. Her secret weapon is her distinctive delivery, which is half-rapping, half-singing, and all charisma.
M.I.A.’s 2005 debut Arular was rap-heavy, but 2007’s Kala found her experimenting with pop to great effect. For example, Kala‘s Bollywood cover “Jimmy” is a far more successful attempt at sugary fun than Arular‘s awkward “Uraqt” and “Paper Planes” could be a Rihanna song if it weren’t about robbing and killing people. Kala also features catchier and more danceable beats than Arular, so don’t forget to bring your favorite grinding partner to her Spring Weekend show. If that’s not your bag, her astute lyrics about being disenfranchised and out of options are just as compelling as her ability to make you shake your Ivy League thang. It’s a delicate combination, but M.I.A. combines socially conscious lyrics and catchy rhythms far better than most. You won’t feel guilty for dancing and you still won’t try to tune out her message.
If you’re not acquainted with M.I.A. beyond her great singles like “Galang” and “Boyz,” checking out the rest of her small catalogue before Spring Weekend hits is definitely recommended. While it’s rewarding in its own right, her more abrasive work can be a lot to take booming from the stage if you don’t know what to expect. M.I.A. shows are generally loud, fun, and visually stimulating—she did go to art school, after all. Overall, M.I.A.’s a safe bet whether you’re a fan or not, but it’s certainly worth becoming one.
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