M.I.A.

Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, better known by her stage name M.I.A., is a British-Sri Lankan musician, rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer. Born on July 27, 1981, in Hounslow, London, she was raised in both London and Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

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M.I.A. studied art, film, and video at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and later released the mixtape "Galang '04" (2004), which gained her early recognition. She went on to release several successful albums, including "Arular" (2005), "Kala" (2007), and "Matangi" (2013). Her music incorporates elements of hip-hop, electronica, funk, and dancehall, and her visual art has also gained recognition.

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In addition to her music career, M.I.A. has been involved in various social activism projects, including advocating for the rights of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees. Her career has been marked by her unique fusion of diverse musical influences and her outspoken political activism.