Maya Arulpragasam (M.I.A.)

Rapper Mathangi »Maya« Arulpragasam alias M.I.A was born in Sri Lanka and is the daughter of the founder of the Tamil independence movement. She fled to London with her mother and siblings while still a child. Before enjoying international acclaim as a musician from 2002, she studied art and film at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design (2000-2002). She has directed some of her music videos herself. M.I.A. is known for her explicitly political songs, which have been the subject of various controversies.