M.I.A.

British singer, rapper, songwriter, and producer of Tamil descent, born on July 18, 1975, in London, England. She spent her early childhood in northern Sri Lanka, where her father was associated with the Tamil Tigers. Due to the civil war, her family returned to London, where M.I.A. studied visual arts at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. She began her music career in 2000, blending elements of hip-hop, electronic, and world music with politically charged lyrics. Her debut album, "Arular" (2005), received critical acclaim for its innovative sound. The second album, "Kala" (2007), featured the hit "Paper Planes," which reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for a Grammy Award. Her third album, "Maya" (2010), was accompanied by the provocative "Born Free" music video, which garnered significant attention. The fourth album, "Matangi" (2013), included the single "Bad Girls," which won an award at the UK Music Video Awards. Her fifth album, "AIM" (2016), received mixed reviews but showcased her willingness to experiment. In 2020, she featured on Travis Scott's single "Franchise," which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Her sixth album, "Mata," was released in 2022. M.I.A. is known for her active civic stance, support for refugee rights, and criticism of global conflicts. She became the first person of South Asian descent to be nominated for both an Academy Award and a Grammy Award in the same year. In 2019, she was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to music.