Mia

Mia

Biography

M.I.A. (born Mathangi 'Maya' Arulpragasam, 17.7.1977) M.I.A. is a British-born singer, songwriter and producer, of Sri Lankan heritage.

Childhood: M.I.A. was born in Hounslow, London. Her father and mother are Tamilian and when she was six months old, the family moved back to Sri Lanka, where her father formed The Eelam Revolutionary Organisation of Student, a militant Tamil group.

When the civil war broke out in Sri Lanka, M.I.A. moved to Tamil Nadu in India, with her mother and siblings. Her father would occasionally visit the family. The family eventually moved back to London, where they were treated as refugees and re-housed.

M.I.A. later attended and graduated from Central Saint Martin's College of Art and Design. She obtained a degree in fine art, film and video.

Art and Film Work: In 2001, M.I.A. held her first public exhibition at the Euphoria shop in Portobello. The pieces on display featured pictures depicting the Tamil Tiger rebellion. Her work was nominated for the Alternative Turner Prize and Jude Law has been known to purchase some of her early work.

M.I.A.'s main cinematic influences are Harmony Korine and Dogme '95. She was approached by John Singleton to work on a film in Los Angeles. Her song 'Paper Planes' was featured in the trailer for Pineapple Express.

M.I.A. has also been involved in fashion design, with her t-shirt designs being featured in Fashion Week shows in LA and New York. M.I.A. has previously been flat-mates with the designer Luella Bartley.

Music Career: M.I.A. designed the cover for Elastica's second album. She also followed the band around America and documented the tour, as well as directing the video for their single 'Mad Dog God Dam.' Peaches was the tour support and it was she who introduced M.I.A. to the Roland MC-505 drum machine.

M.I.A. began to experiment with a simple home recording set-up and created a six-track demo tape. She went on to create music that drew on a wide range of influences, from electro, dancehall and jungle. The single 'Galang' was released on Showbiz Records, with 500 copies being pressed. The track was instantly popular and eventually, M.I.A. signed to XL Recordings, home to bands such as The Prodigy and The White Stripes.

XL re-released 'Galang' and followed it up by releasing 'Sunshowers.' For the album, M.I.A. worked with producers such as Diplo and Richard X. Her debut album, Arular, was released in March 2005 to critical acclaim. She promoted the album with festival appearances at South by Southwest in Texas, Glastonbury Festival, Coachella and the Reading and Leeds festivals. M.I.A. was also featured on Missy Elliott's track 'Bad Man', from her album The Cookbook. Arular was nominated and short listed for the Mercury Music Prize.

In 2007, M.I.A. released Kala, her second studio album. The album was written on her travels through Japan, Australia, India, Trinidad and Jamaica, amongst other places. Kala was generally considered to be more raw and unconventional than her debut. This time, M.I.A. used the producer known as Switch to work on the songs with her. M.I.A. took acts such as Buraka Son Sistema, The Cool Kids and Santogold on tour with her to promote the album.

In the 2007 film Spike Jonze Spends Saturday With M.I.A., the pair visit Jonze's former immigrant home in Woolwich, West London.

The following year, M.I.A. formed her own record label, N.E.E.T. She has signed the band Rye Rye and worked on their debut album with them.

Personal Life: M.I.A. is engaged to Benjamin Brewer. Brewer sings and plays guitar for The Exit. They are expecting a child together.



Biography by Contactmusic.com

M.I.A Slams Ex Diplo


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M.I.A. believes she is responsible for Diplo's success.

The 'Paper Planes' hitmaker has shot down rumours her former flame carved out her music career for her and is adamant she's the one that approached him all those years ago.

Taking to her social networking sites, she said: ''I discovered diplo... I found out on a flyer he was djing and spent 16 pounds and bought my own way into fabric club in London. No one put me on the list! Nobody paid for it! I approached him and gave him my record! There was no label no A N R (artists and repertoire) no channels. a handful of people believed in me, then when I got a deal, they turned on me.

Continue reading: M.I.A Slams Ex Diplo

M.I.A. Introduces A Diverse Line-Up For Meltdown Festival 2017


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M.I.A. is launching this year's Meltdown Festival, for which twelve new names have been added to the line-up. Over a period of nine days this summer, this cultural showcase hits London's Southbank Centre and tickets are set to go on sale next week.

M.I.A. to curate Meltdown Festival 2017M.I.A. to curate Meltdown Festival 2017

Not only is M.I.A. set to close this year's event with her first ever Royal Festival Hall performance, but she will also be curating the event which sees a number of different pop artists from different corners of the world coming together for a music extravaganza.

Continue reading: M.I.A. Introduces A Diverse Line-Up For Meltdown Festival 2017

M.I.A at the showcase for Stella McCartney's 2017 menswear line held at Abbey Road Studios, London, United Kingdom - Thursday 10th November 2016

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M.I.A seen holding her award in the press room at the 2016 StubHub Q Awards. M.I.A won the 'Q Innovation In Sound' award - London, United Kingdom - Thursday 3rd November 2016

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M.I.A seen arriving at the 2016 StubHub Q Awards, London, United Kingdom - Wednesday 2nd November 2016

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M.I.A - AIM Album Review


On balance I think I'd have to say that I like surprises. My wife doesn't: she's the one taking a sneaky peak at the kids presents before Christmas comes: the one who can't wait to see what's for tea so looks in every pot and always opens the oven door for a big reveal. For me, however, there's still something quite magical to be experienced. There is always the prospect of disappointment but no one will want that intentionally so usually there can be excitement, delight and even euphoria to be had.

M.I.A - AIM Album Review

I hadn't taken a sneaky peak at the new M.I.A album, not heard a whisper (Despite it would appear to me now the numerous pre-release tracks), missed Steve Lamacq and guests reviewing it on Round Table due to unexpected guests and not caught any air play up front of my getting her latest, 5th, and possibly last, album release, 'AIM'.

Arriving at M.I.A's latest album with fresh ears, without prejudice and with an optimistic and open mind I find myself more than pleasantly surprised, the twelve track album, her first since 2013's 'Metangi', is not necessarily a revelation but definitely an unforeseen joy. It's bold, in part brash, definitely slightly bonkers and very, very entertaining.

Continue reading: M.I.A - AIM Album Review

M.I.A , Mathangi Maya Arulpragasam - London Fashion Week S/S 2016 - Ashish - Front row at London Fashion Week - London, United Kingdom - Tuesday 22nd September 2015

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Moogfest 2014 Gets To The Heart Of Electronic Music With Shows From Kraftwerk And Pet Shop Boys


Kraftwerk Flying Lotus Pet Shop Boys Dan Deacon Tiga Black Dice Janelle Monae Dillon Francis Lapalux Riff Raff Moderat Daedelus Chic Nile Rodgers Factory Floor Mia Saul Williams King Britt Just Blaze

MoogFest 2014

Named after America's main pioneer in the world of electronic music, Robert Moog, Moogfest is finally back after a brief sabbatical which saw them miss 2013 - to much disappointment from electronic lovers everywhere.

The much-adored Moog synthesizer is an incredible piece of equipment invented by a man who changed music for the better, so the fact that there's a weekend event named sharing the name is a thrilling prospect for musicians and fans alike. It began in 2004 and was eventually brought to Asheville, North Carolina in 2008 where it has stayed ever since. Not only have festival goers got a first-class music line-up to look forward to, Moogfest 2014 will also be hosting presentations during the day from both veteran music boffins to newcomers still experimenting with developing their sound. For all you synth-lovers out there, you will also be treated to various workshops which will no doubt give you an immersive experience into the heart of electronic music.

Continue reading: Moogfest 2014 Gets To The Heart Of Electronic Music With Shows From Kraftwerk And Pet Shop Boys

Keep Calm And Party On! London's Ten Most Exciting Festivals For 2014


Field Day LoveBox The Pixies Metronomy Neutral Milk Hotel James Blake Camden Crawl Atari Teenage Riot Ghetts Chase and Status Mia Wireless Festival Kanye West Drake The Subways Somerset House Kodaline Calling Festival Aerosmith McBusted Black Sabbath Eagulls Polica LeeFest The Great Escape

If you want a unique festival experience this year, London could be the place for you. Featuring a diverse range of events from the independent ethics of Jabberwocky to the mainstream attitude of Wireless, 2014 is not all about the States.

The UK is home to some incredible, highly respected music festivals such as Isle of Wight Festival, Leeds and Reading Festival and, of course, Glastonbury - but just what do we have in store from the nation's capital? London is unquestionably the UK's most vibrant city and, when it comes to music, there's really no denying that. The rest of the world may have SXSW, Coachella, Ultra and Exit (to name but a very small few), but London has a plethora of unique local events with line-ups and atmospheres that really prove their worth - and we're here to share them with you.

Jabberwocky 2014 logoJabberwocky (August 15th-16th)
All Tomorrow's Parties present this brand new festival for 2014, co-hosted by Pitchfork and Primavera Sound and set to take place at The Excel Centre this August. For its inaugural event, Jabberwocky will see headline acts from Neutral Milk Hotel, James Blake, Darkside and Caribou, not to mention support from Kurt Vile & The Violators, Hookworms and Electric Wizard. Like many of the best festivals, it's not all about the music as Jabberwocky will be hosting some film events and, as the name suggests, there'll be plenty of art to enjoy too. Tickets are priced at £38.50 per day.

Continue reading: Keep Calm And Party On! London's Ten Most Exciting Festivals For 2014

Ultra Music Festival 2014: The Weekend Event's Most Memorable Moments


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Ultra Music Festival turned out to be a bit of a rollercoaster of a weekend for everyone this year but, as usual, it's been three days of some of the most explosive electronic acts of our generation.

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It was a terribly disappointing moment for festival goers (and, indeed, viewers; those who were viewing it live online) when it was announced that Saturday's main stage headliner Avicii would not make it to Miami for his set after being hospitalised earlier in the week for an emergency operation. However, that initial fan frustration was greatly eased by the arrival of Deadmau5, who took the Swedish DJ's place to much delightful surprise. Further entertainment came with some eagerly anticipated headline sets from Tiesto and Hardwell on the Friday and Sunday respectively.

Continue reading: Ultra Music Festival 2014: The Weekend Event's Most Memorable Moments

M.I.A and Mathangi Arulpragasam - M.I.A performing live at the Ultra Music Festival - Miami, Florida, United States - Saturday 29th March 2014

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Richie Incognito Touches Down In Miami For Ultra Music Festival 2014


Ultra Music Festival Mia Chance the Rapper Dizzee Rascal Tiesto Avicii Hardwell Empire of the Sun Cut Copy Example Diplo

Rich Incognito, the former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman who is currently a free agent, has arrived back in the city for the first time since January 1 to attend the Ultra Music Festival 2014. The dance music extravaganza - which kicked off today (March 228, 2014) - promises to turn downtown Miami into a giant rave for the weekend.

Ultra Music Festival

"I am here for the Ultra Music Festival," Incognito told Local 10's Ross Palombo after touching down in South Florida on Thursday night, "You know, it's funny. I grew up around music and movies, and everything was telling me to come back here."

Continue reading: Richie Incognito Touches Down In Miami For Ultra Music Festival 2014

Avicii To Sell Unusual Merchandise At Ultra Music Festival Concept Store


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Swedish producer and DJ Avicii is trying something different at next weekend's Ultra Music Festival - which promises to turn Miami into a three day rave in the sunshine. Avicii, whose song 'Wake Me Up' is Spotify's most played track ever, is setting up a concept store pop-up at the festival and will sell a variety of branded items including t-shirts, flip-flops, hats and condoms.

Ultra Music Festival

Avicii's manager Ash Pournouri spoke to Billboard about the one-week only pop-up, which will be located on South Beach's Lincoln Rd, titled, quite simply, Avicii Store.

Continue reading: Avicii To Sell Unusual Merchandise At Ultra Music Festival Concept Store

M.I.A. Mocks NFL Lawsuit By Asking Madonna For Financial Aid


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M.I.A. looks to her fellow performer for a helping hand.

The British-born rapper, real name Maya, is still in a legal battle with the NFL for her impromptu vulgar gesture at the 2012 Super Bowl Halftime Show.

167 million people tuned in to watch the annual football game between the New York Giants and New England Patriots, and during the intermission, M.I.A performed 'Give Me All Your Luvin' alongside Madonna and Nicki Minaj.

Continue reading: M.I.A. Mocks NFL Lawsuit By Asking Madonna For Financial Aid

NFL Officials Sue M.I.A. For $16.6 Million Over Super Bowl Halftime Show Incident


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The NFL have finally settled on $16.6 million in their lawsuit against British recording artist M.I.A., real name Maya.

The football league is suing the 38 year-old due to an incident that occurred at the Super Bowl halftime show on February 5th 2012.

167 million people tuned in to watch the 46th Super Bowl match between the New York Giants and New England Patriots, and during the intermission, M.I.A perform 'Give Me All Your Luvin' alongside Madonna and Nicki Minaj.

Continue reading: NFL Officials Sue M.I.A. For $16.6 Million Over Super Bowl Halftime Show Incident

Mia

Mia

Date of birth

18th July, 1975

Occupation

Musician

Sex

Female

Height

1.66




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