M.I.A.
M.I.A.
hand life mike onstage pushed recorded songs three time worst
In 2004, I went onstage for the first time. They put a mike in my hand and pushed me out the door into the crowd. I did the three songs I had recorded and got out. It was the worst day of my life.
Before the Greeks were the Tamils. The Tamils are one of the oldest civilizations that's still surviving.
concentration people
My giving birth was nothing when I think about all the people in Sri Lanka that have to give birth in a concentration camp.
abandon bridge east
I am the bridge between the East and the West. I don't want to abandon one for the other.
came dad fights freedom gained ghetto hindu lives mantra mythology speech stands truth
Matangi's mantra is aim, which is MIA backwards. She fights for freedom of speech and stands for truth, and lives in the ghetto because her dad was the first person in Hindu mythology who came from the 'hood, but had gained enlightenment through not being a Brahmin.
either evoke good hate love loved music opinion people point strong
I feel like people either love me or hate me, which is good, because that was the point of what I do. The point of M.I.A. is to be - it's either to be loved or hated. At least you evoke that much of a strong opinion about music.
belongs embrace existence precious rule
In India, you see the way they embrace color in the culture - it's very celebratory of the existence of color. There's no rule of what color belongs together or doesn't belong together. They're not precious about it. It's very full-on.
alone clever cleverest dad grew landed mud science slept studied studying super
My dad grew up in a mud hut and studied by candlelight. He was 14 when he got a scholarship to Russia. He was super clever - the cleverest person. He landed in 5ft of snow, and was alone at 14, studying science and engineering. He didn't have a bed, and he slept on a table.
manhattan peaked
Manhattan seems pretty developed, you know what I mean? Like, it has peaked in culture.
imply otherwise wrong
My father had no influence on my political beliefs, and to imply otherwise is wrong and irresponsible.
people
I don't intentionally go: 'Ooh, what is provocative,' and try to do that. I just do stuff, and people go: 'Ooh, that's provocative.'
finding guru joining work
I don't like the idea of spirituality done the way it's done. The only way I could understand it was through creativity, not by going to an Ashram, or finding a guru or joining a temple. I made work out of it.
admitted amazing chocolates madonna send thank
Madonna did amazing songs. She had an amazing sense of style, without a stylist. And she was flawed, and sometimes she admitted it. I'll fight the fight for Madonna. I think she should send me some chocolates or something to thank me.
african design kids longer nike uniform wear
Nike is the uniform for kids all over the world, and African design has been killed by Nike. Africans no longer want to wear their own designs.