Who is M.I.A.

M.I.A. is a British vocalist, songwriter, composer, record producer and visual artist

M.I.A.'s music features styles such as electro, reggae, rhythm and blues, alternative rock, hip hop, grime, rap ballads and Asian folk and references to her musical influences such as Missy Elliott, Tamil film music, Lou Reed, The Pixies, Beastie Boys and London Posse.

She has been influenced by The Slits, Public Enemy, Malcolm McLaren and The Clash. M.I.A. describes her music as dance music or club music for the "other", and has stressed her preference of being an "anti-popstar".

M.I.A.'s early compositions relied heavily on the Roland MC-505, while later M.I.A. experimented further with her established sound and drew from a range of genres, creating layered textures of instruments, electronics and sounds outside the traditional studio environment.