Tipster Sparky left a link to an interview with MIA on the News Tab. The part that seemed most interesting had to do with the role producer Diplo has played in her music. According to M.I.A., the influence of Diplo has been seriously overplayed by the media, for reasons that might have to do with gender and race:
M.I.A.: Yesterday I read like five magazines in the airplane– it was a nine hour flight– and three out of five magazines said “Diplo: the mastermind behind M.I.A.’s politics!” And I was wondering, does that stem from [Pitchfork]? Because I find it really bonkers.
Pitchfork: Well, it’s hard to say where it originated. We certainly have made reference to Diplo playing a part on your records, but it seems like everyone plays that up.
M.I.A.: If you read the credits, he sent me a loop for “Bucky Done Gun”, and I made a song in London, and it became “Bucky Done Gun”. But that was the only song he was actually involved in on Arular. So the whole time I’ve had immigration problems and not been able to get in the country, what I am or what I do has got a life of its own, and is becoming less and less to do with me. And I just find it a bit upsetting and kind of insulting that I can’t have any ideas on my own because I’m a female or that people from undeveloped countries can’t have ideas of their own unless it’s backed up by someone who’s blond-haired and blue-eyed. After the first time it’s cool, the second time it’s cool, but after like the third, fourth, fifth time, maybe it’s an issue that we need to talk about, maybe that’s something important, you know. (link)
Go, Maya. As she goes forward, she puts more emphasis on the gender question, and less on the whether “people from underdeveloped countries” can have “ideas of their own”:
M.I.A.: […] And if I can’t get credit because I’m a female and everything’s going to boil down to ‘everything has to be shot out of a man,’ then I much rather it go to Switch, who did actually give me the time and actually listened to what I was saying and actually came to India and Trinidad and all these places, and actually spent time on me and actually cared about what I was doing, and actually cared about the situation I was in with not being able to get into the country and not having access to things or, you know, being able to direct this album in a totally innovative direction. (link)
Unfortunately, perhaps, most of the interviewer’s questions are about the various men she collaborated with on her new album ‘Kala’, whether it’s Diplo, Switch, or Timbaland. (Well, at least there’s nothing in here about cleavage…)
I think she’s making a valid point about how women musicians are often represented in the alternative/indie rock world. I can remember people saying similar things about Bjork’s relationships with some of her male producers, several years ago — not really giving Bjork credit for her own brilliant and idiosyncratic musical vision. Bjork, like M.I.A., is clearly a force of nature…
On the other hand, M.I.A. did date Diplo at some point (I don’t know exactly when), so does her desire to deemphasize his influence have to do with that? I’m just asking…
=
Through a DJ friend, I managed to get my hands on an advance copy of M.I.A.’s new album, Kala. It’s already been released in the U.K.; the U.S. release date is August 27. This is a brief review (we reserve the right to do a more detailed take later).
Some of the best tracks are already in circulation: “Bird Flu” and “Boys.” I don’t care for “Jimmy,” which heavily samples an old Bollywood film song (from Disco Dancer), though I gather that other folks like it. To me it just sounds a bit clumsy. (Check out a sample from “Jimmy” at Ultrabrown)
My favorite of the other tracks on the record has to be the collaboration with Timbaland, “Come Around.” Other cool tracks are “20 Dollar” and “World Town.” All three have hypnotic beats, and a slightly more laid back lyrical delivery from M.I.A.
Overall, people who liked the manic energy and off-kilter beats of Arular will probably be into Kala. The sound is slightly different — it’s certainly no retread of her earlier work. The beats here are generally less electronic and more noisy and organic; the maximalist palette seems well-suited to M.I.A.’s over the top personality.
Admittedly, some of the louder tracks on Kala do grate a bit on the ears, but then I suppose that’s what an IPod playlist is for, hm?
Hey all,
Fascinating turn this conversation has taken, but I wish it would take place when SM posts about some hard news (raid, battle, law, etc).
I took some issue with this:
Am I the only mutineer who likes brutal music, is not turned off by Alec Empire/DJ Spooky mid-range explorations, and can appreciate the clumsy wall-of-sound experiments that this album (from what I’ve heard)sticks to? Really, her initial appeal was based on the fact that she wasn’t a musician and composed her tracks on an RC 505–hence, the rough-around-the-edges production values shouldn’t come as a surprise (or, IMHO, as a negative).
I think the focus on the political dimensions of her music serve to derail any discussions of the effects of her tunes on people’s buttocks.
so, what’s the verdict? Ass shaking yet?
People of the Indian subcontinent & SL are a mixture of many different aboriginal and Eurasian people. One of these Eurasian people were the Aryas/Aryans who introduced Vedic culture to the subcontinent. The concept of Arya existed before the British, but I think they overemphasized the racial aspect of this at a time when it was more about linguistics & ritual life. They also equated Europeans as pure Aryas when in fact their culture was also a mixture of aboriginals and invaders/traders speaking an Iranian/proto-IE language. The British did tend to analyze subcontinental history completely along Aryan/Dravidian lines, I don’t know if that was with the intent of dividing the populace or because at that time most Europeans had “race on the brain”. Let’s not forget that it was at this time that “racial anti-Semitism” (as opposed to theological anti-semitism that had prevailed before) developed in Europe. I would actually argue against the idea that Brit academics introduced the concept of “Aryan supremacy” though. Their naratives of Indian history had the Dravidians as urban sophisticates whose advanced civilization was destroyed by Aryans who only had the advantage of spoked wheel chariots & horses. The Brits also advanced the study of Tamil as language of antiquity. In any case, I would agree that it would be unlikely that Sinhalese and Tamils would have chosen the stick of race to beat each other with had it not been for the colonial period. Sinhalese & Tamil aristocracy often intermarried to support alliances etc
Duly shaken and stirred. I am very much liking the music, what to do saar.
Muraliamannered,
my verdict for ass-shaking – most definitely and she seems to get the crowd hyped when she plays live, although I’ve never seen her myself. I really like the snippets of ‘Jimmy’ and ‘Boyz’ but I’ve not heard all the tracks mentioned. ‘Bird Flu’ is madness – I wouldn’t even know how to dance to that, but I love the video. In fact all her videos have been cool to watch so far. You can see that she was an art student when you see her videos. I met her on Portobello Rd a year or so before she got signed and she seemed very much into her art and was just as stylish then as she is now and very pretty. The guy who introduced me to her then, told me her father was a Tamil Tiger leader, so it’s clear that her experiences in Sri-Lanka were something that were driving her from the start.
The political dimensions of MIA’s music are what I enjoy the most, but maybe that’s because I’m half Sri-Lankan and she hs got me wondering why we have this crazy war in Sri-Lanka. I dunno…there’s just something really great about her having made it so far.
In light of all this serious discussion about M.I.A. and her politics, I figured it’s the best time for me to post for the first time ever anywhere my remix of Bucky Done Gun. Enjoy!
http://minorcrisis.net/files/buckydonegun – Rahul remix.mp3
I’m Lankan (-American) as well and feel the same sort of wonder at seeing her flirt with celebrity for her music–but i think anyone who feels an irrepressible urge to shake it to her tunes is a full-blooded Lankan for that moment.
at first i thought it was a motorcycle…
Thank you! Can I quote you as an authority on my internationalist credentials?! 🙂
Too true, Muralimannered. And my whole point is that whoever wants to bash MIA and her politics is missing the point big time. It’s a positive thing having her say what she says and strutting her brown feminine/feminist self like she does.
And there’s no denying that her tunes are BANGING.
“Really, her initial appeal was based on the fact that she wasn’t a musician and composed her tracks on an RC 505–“
Multi the 505 tracks she made were her ‘demo’ tracks that she made in order to attract producers…The Arular album tracks were not made it…they are more robust protools/mpc based by Diplo and others..thus the sound:) .
oh my. I’m neither the best Tamilian, nor the best Sri-Lankan, so I hesitate only because i’m unsure of my own authority in such matters. But if you wish, go ahead!
I’m losing Tamil cred already, I meant to write, “Tamizhan”
Now i’m going to write it 108,000 times on a love cake.
Was this baile dancing etc. just among the Burghers and wealthy Sinhalese & Tamils, or pre-conflict was just about everyone getting down ? Indian Tamils have historically been rhythym repressed…we had to fake possession by “pey” for an excuse to dance.
‘Indian Tamils have historically been rhythym repressed…we had to fake possession by “pey” for an excuse to dance.’
You wouldn’t think so going by MIA’s ‘Bird Flu’ vid that was shot in Tamil Nadu.
I’m pretty sure the community she filmed the vid in is a Sri Lankan refugee resettlement area in Tamil Nadu
Muralimannered,
just saw your example for ‘brutal music’. Nah mate, you’re not alone. I love Fun-da-mental, always have and always will no matter how hardcore they’ve become. I remember Dog tribe when it was out when I was about 12 and (sorry to name drop) Aki lives round the corner too, although I aint seen him in a while.
This post will probably start a fight.
Does’nt Sri Lanka belong to the Sinhalese and the Tamilians are just immigrants. Quite like Japan belongs to the Japanese and Korea belongs to the Koreans. Just by being born in Korea does not make you a Korean.
Having known quite a few Sri Lankan Tamils during my school days (they moved as a result of the 1983 riots) I have a pretty high opinion of most of them. However I would question their ability to integrate into SL society.
Tamil Nadu (TN) was “home” – (quite like many Hispanics think of Mexico as being home). A logic that I found very hard to understand. I believed that one had to pick – SL or TN. Note : it was always Tamil Nadu that was home – never India.
Many Sinhalese here in Oz blame the Tamils for messing up what was a beautiful country. I suspect the truth falls somewhere in the middle with both parties equally culpabale with maybe the Tamils more culpable.
I think that the SL Tamils need to figure out a way to co-exist with the Sinhalese and certainly accept that SL belongs to the Sinhalese.
Sinhalese are Aryans ? A moronic statement. Sri Lankans are Dravidians – Aryans in their bloody dreams. It is practically impossible to distinguish Sri Lankans from other South Indians. It is like saying that one can differentiate between a Swede and a Finn.
Let the fights begin 😉 and no more stupid ignorant posts from me.
Melbourne desi:
Nothing ignorant about it at all, Tamils & Sinhalese share the same blood…this is truly a fratricidal conflict
I got a copy of the new album last night and I think its amazing. You can tell she has put a lot of work in it. They talk about the sophmore slump for music artist’s second album and M.I.A. proves to rise above it. Funny thing I just blogged about the album myself.
Yeah, if i was back in Melbourne, i’d pick up a quick espresso on Lygon Street, pick up some mates (you know the ones with bandages on their faces, wearing $5,000 suits and driving imports) and give ya a good n’ ignorant hiding.
But all jokes aside, MelbourneF*cktard, how conversant are you with the genetic heritage of sri-lankans? Going back just a few generations in my family, there are “Singhalese” as well as “Tamils.” The difference here is between language and a perceived difference in culture and religion.
but really, if you want to have a nice, honest debate about whether SL Tams ‘belong’ in Sri-Lanka, take the train out to Glen Waverly and look up some of my ‘non-belonging’ cousins–they’ll sort you out.
Cooling down now. This is dumb because: coexistence is not possible when one group claims ownership over the very land on which both live. This is like telling african-americans that the US ‘belongs’ to white americans and that they’ll just have to accept it, in order live in peace.
This is dumb because: this is anecdotal. I can give you a thousand examples to the contrary–despite living abroad for 20+ years, and having made fortunes and lived very full lives there, SL is still home. Always. Non-negotiable.
um, how did you arrive at this conclusion? did you perhaps do a detailed, quantitative study of property damage, lost income, business interruption and corruption to calculate such an increased culpability on the part of the Tamils? If we’re talking about those factors, I’d say both sides are even as it applies to the whole island. The tigers have screwed the Tamils in the north over economically, far more than they have affected people in the rest of the island.
there are so MANY other things i could say, but for the sake of my blood pressure I’ll stop here and prevent further empirical slip-n-falls that people make in anger.
That really was an infuriating post, melbournedesi. What makes it truly heinous is that it has no basis in reality. As a SL Tamil, i’ve never heard anyone refer to TN as anything other than just the home of fellow tamils, sort of like cousins. Never have I ever heard of TN referred to as our home or homeland.
This conflict didn’t arise out of a failure to integrate – the various ethnicities had coexisted beside and with each other relatively peacefully for centuries prior to this war. I’m not sure if you have an agenda or if you are just truly clueless but, either way, please read everything you can on the history of sri lanka and the origins of this conflict before posting your random and offensive musings once again.
Muralimannered,
Let’s just ignore Melbourne desi, eh? He/she is bviously itching for attention.
Palm tree,
Again, ignore the dimwit. You shouldn’t have to state obvious for anyone here.
This post will probably start a fight.
No shit.
Does’nt Sri Lanka belong to the Sinhalese and the Tamilians are just immigrants.
And at this point, people should have ignored what you had to say, but its easy to troll on the Internet.
I like how a post on M.I.A. has to end up discussing the fate of Sri Lankan Tamils. Anyway, M.I.A.’s coming back with the POWER POWER
there are no female hip hop producers and few female music producers, period, so the stuff holds regarding bjork and m.i.a. Lauryn Hill claimed production credits for her solo album but likely lied.
“Let the fights begin 😉 and no more stupid ignorant posts from me” – Didn’t folks read the disclaimer about the post being stupid and ignorant. It was not meant to a well thought out post. Just put out all the biased statemnts that I had heard over the years. Obviously the statements are provocative and did stir up a few.
The only true statement was “Having known quite a few Sri Lankan Tamils during my school days (they moved as a result of the 1983 riots) I have a pretty high opinion of most of them”.
murali – thanks for the offer to have a debate in Glen Waverley about SL Tamils but I have nothing to contribute since SL does not interest me in the slightest. All I know about SL is limited to the cricket and that I know heaps 😉
SL should interest you a bit more than that, because the next time you visit the hospital, the attending doc could be one o’ my cousins! A ‘howzaaat’ with the hypodermic needle could be disastrous.
I’m not sure if you got the glen waverly reference though.
murali – besides knowing that Glen Waverley is a hotbed of SL Tamil activism I did not understand what you were alluding to.
wot? they teach sarcasm in Oz schools now?
I got more grief from Lebo bully-boys than anyone else in Melbourne. Didn’t see too many Indians and got quite the cold-shoulder from other SL Tams.
The train out to Glen Waverley is nothing like going from central london to Eastham though–when it gets to that brown-saturation point, I’d be worried.
Murali
how long ago were you in melbourne. Heaps more desis now than 3 years ago although the haneef case may reduce some numbers.
If you type in M.I.A.+ jimmy on youtube, you can see her new video. It’s fun – it reminds me of Kylie.
Seems like yonks now–middle-to-end of ’03.
I haven’t read all these comments yet, but I just wanted to commend most of you (obviously excluding the requisite post idiot) on having a civil and informative political discussion. I’m a Sri Lankan Tamil, yet being raised in Canada, I’ve frankly been completely removed from all these politics and as such my knowledge about the situation is minimal. As such, it’s really interesting for me to be able to read varying opinions, and assorted details about the subject.
Maya filmed by Spike Jonze:
http://www.brightcove.com/title.jsp?title=1150941368&channel=598199
Aint she lovely?
Album cover is so Nu Rave:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Rave
M.I.A represents my generation misunderstood by most.
Amardeep — I’ve been listening to the new CD over the last few days, and generally agree with your assessment of the new CD, including your takes on “20 Dollar” and “World Town.” I liked “Jimmy” a little more than you did, perhaps because it is so obviously a late 70s/early 80s Bollywood era sound, it seemed almost an homage to that frothy Bollywood “disco” style. (Overall, I thought there was far more of a Bollywood influence on this CD compared to Arular, which, despite reviews frequently mentioning a Bollywood infulence, didn’t really have much of one IMO.)
The one thing I wanted to add is that given that you didn’t mention it, I assume you didn’t care much for “Bamboo Banga.” To me, that song is the stand-out, one of the better “let’s get this party started!!” songs I’ve heard in a while.
FYI: ‘Jimmy’ is a cover of an Of Montreal song. 🙂