M.I.A.

M.I.A. is the recording name of Mathangi 'Maya' Arulpragasam, a British musician and visual artist born in London to Sri Lankan Tamil parents. After spending part of her childhood in Sri Lanka, she returned to London as her family escaped the civil war. She worked in visual art, filmmaking and design before establishing a recording career.

Early singles Galang and Sunshowers led to Arular (2005) and Kala (2007), combining hip-hop and electronic production with a wide range of rhythmic and musical references. Paper Planes became an international breakthrough. Her work has repeatedly addressed migration, conflict and the politics of belonging.