Ground-breaking rapper, producer and activist, M.I.A, has just released the whip smart video for her latest track ‘Popular‘ ahead of her upcoming studio album, MATA.
The GRAMMY, Brit and Academy nominated artist is known for her evocative political and social commentary regarding immigration, warfare and identity. She has built on her experience of displacement during the Sri- Lankan Civil war to fuel her creative output and to speak up about the misconception and treatment of refugees in the UK and US in popular tracks like, ‘Paper Planes,’ which she performed at the Grammys and explored further in documentary form in 2018’s “Matangi/Mya/M.I.A.”
The trailblazing video for her latest track, ‘Popular,’ is a witty thought provoking commentary on popular culture and features an influencer-bot-in-training M.A.I. In her Instagram, there was a post from the bot saying,“M.I.A. is irrelevant … She’s got an expiry date … I am M.A.I.… I am techno humanoid. I’m forever.” The ‘Popular’ music video sees M.I.A. direct her robotic doppelganger in how to walk, talk, move, dance and inspire just like her. It’s whip smart and an unsettling black-mirrored reflection of modern social media. It’s a must watch.
‘Popular’ follows ‘The One’ which was released in May and comes ahead of her highly anticipated full length studio album ‘MATA’which will see its global release via Island Records. This new body of work, recorded in London, Los Angeles, Italy, Bali, Jakarta, and St Vincent, signifies a compelling new era for the multi-talented artist and activist. More details to be revealed soon.
M.I.A.’s career spans five studio albums, international performances, multiple sold-out world tours, GRAMMY and Academy Award recognition, while continuously pushing the boundaries of digital and ideological possibilities.
M.I.A. has never lost touch with her indelible punk spirit that inspired her directorial debut; Elastica’s ‘Mad Dog’ music video, to her self-directed tour visuals and graphics. She has consistently paved the way in the music and digital art space and helped create a community of outcasts during the defining years of the internet, a spectrum of influence that is unparalleled by a recording artist.
Popular’ is out everywhere now and her forthcoming studio album, ‘MATA’ is out soon.
