JERUSALEM – M.I.A. (a.k.a. Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam) has exploded on the international music scene since her music career began in 2003 with the 500-copy release of "Galang,” her second recorded single.

M.I.A. Photo/MIAUK.com

"Nobody wants to be dancing to political songs,” M.I.A. told Nirali Magazine. I wanted to see if I could write songs about something important and make it sound like nothing. And it kind of worked." It has more than "kind of worked."  Her songs reference war, poverty, international relations, crime and immigration; and yet, as any fan will say, you will find yourself singing her songs over and over because of their sheer musicality.

M.I.A.'s music revels in texture and rhythm. For many of her songs, the instrumentals consist almost exclusively of electronic drum machine loops. "Galang" features 505 beats and claps, to give just one example. Nonetheless, there is no sense of cacophony nor do her songs blur into one extended electronic escapade. Each song is its own complete sonic entity, with a unified overall melody and rhythm. M.I.A. takes advantage of the full range of electronic sounds available, and combined with samples from vocal and traditional instruments, her music imparts a sense of constant innovation.

M.I.A.'s masterful musical abilities are not limited to instrumentation. Her lyrics are catchy, poetic and intelligent. She combines foreign languages, slang and standard English to create a linguistic mash-up of the cultures and worlds that she is trying to bring into dialogue. The attentive listener will be rewarded with line after line of memorable poetry that stays fresh and original even after two albums.

Without question, her performance at Bonnaroo will bring an incredible energy to the stage. Her more subdued pieces are bursting at their rhythmic seams, and combined with her intense, almost-electric stage presence, they guarantee a show that is not to be missed.
[Nirali]