New York: Recording artist M.I.A. takes aim at "journalists," "haters" and "racists" in a new song called "I`m a Singer," which she posted to her official website Sunday in response to a New York Times profile.
"So you wanna hear about my politics? I can show you things that would make you sick," M.I.A. raps on the song. "And the story`s always f***ed by the time it hits/And why the hell would journalists be thick as s**t?/`Cause lies equals power equals politics."
Written by Lynn Hirschberg, the New York Times piece contrasts M.I.A.`s lifestyle with her politicized image and music, particularly her connection to a militant Sri Lanka group, the Tamil Tigers, that has led some to describe her as a terrorist. "`I kind of want to be an outsider,` she said, eating a truffle-flavored French fry," Hirschberg writes of M.I.A. in the story. "`I don`t want to make the same music, sing about the same stuff, talk about the same things. If that makes me a terrorist, then I`m a terrorist.`"
M.I.A. tweeted angrily about the piece last week, saying, "News is an opinion!" and posting Hirschberg`s cellphone number. Callers were directed to Hirschberg`s voicemail, and the writer later described the move as "infuriating and not surprising" as well as "fairly unethical."
M.I.A. also promised to post her unedited interview with Hirschberg on her website but has since posted two brief audio excerpts, one of which suggests that it was the writer who ordered the French fries.
The New York Times profile isn`t the only M.I.A. story generating controversy. The singer has been speaking to several outlets to promote her July 13 album, "/\/\ /\ Y /\" ("Maya"), and in an interview with Nylon, she shares her thoughts on Google and Facebook. "(They) were developed by the CIA, and when you`re on there, you have to know that," she says.
M.I.A. also recently criticized Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga, telling U.K. magazine NME that Bieber`s music videos are "more violent and more of an assault to my eyes" than her controversial "Born Free" (in which redheaded boys are rounded up and shot by officers) and that Gaga is "not progressive, but she`s a good mimic ... none of her music`s reflective of how weird she wants to be or thinks she is."
Bureau Report
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies Setting
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device and the processing of information obtained via those cookies (including about your preferences, device and online activity) by us and our commercial partners to enhance site navigation, personalise ads, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. More information can be found in our Cookies and Privacy Policy. You can amend your cookie settings to reject non-essential cookies by clicking Cookie Settings below.
Manage Consent Preferences
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work or you may not be able to login.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advert as well as help measure the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we may not know when you have visited our site, and may not be able to monitor its performance.