Illustration by Corinne Stevie
M.I.A. can’t win for losing these days. Some people credit it to a lackluster album. Her latest effort MAYA has got lukewarm reviews from critics that usually love anything she shits on. Even her collaborators Diplo and Switch have had harsh words about the singer/songwriter and her latest release. I’ll be the first to say MAYA isn’t as nearly bad as people make it out to be. She’s created a soundscape that sounds like nothing on the radio or on your favorite indie music blog. It can’t be the music. If you ask me, it’s her behavior that’s the cause of the backlash.
To say M.I.A’s having the time ever is an understatement. By now you’ve heard of the fiasco at her recent Hard NYC performance where she reportedly spit on photographers and gave what fans called a “poor” performance. She took to her Twitter to blame it on poor sound in America tweeting: “money doesnt buy u shit! i thought more money means better sound guys in america/\/\/\! i was wrong, the higher u go , they turn u lower!” That tweet is in a long line of tirades that have started to leave a nasty taste in the public’s mouth. Sometimes being too outspoken can be too much. Ask Mr. Twitter aka Kanye West. M.I.A.’s outspoken comments about Lady Gaga who she dissed for her privileged upbringing in a recent interview with Time Out NYC has people confused at best. She’s even taken to dissing Oprah who she claimed snubbed her at this year’s Metropolitan Ball in New York. People don’t want to hear the bickering. Leave that to 50 Cent. So what Gaga was privileged and went to a good school. M.I.A is making it seem as if she didn’t go to Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design in London.
At the end of the day this all seems to me like a staunch refusal to be a full fledged pop star. As the reigning indie queen M.I.A. seems reluctant to accept that fact that she’s popular. But after Grammy and Oscar nods, hit singles and performing onstage with Jay-Z, Lil’ Wayne & T.I. what else could you be besides a pop star? It’s admirable to not want to be a pop star. I get it M.I.A. You’re edgy. You’re indie. You’re not Lady Gaga. But with all the effort to separate herself from pop music she’s alienating every other fan and friend she has even as she bizarrely creates music that’s poppier. There is a “Lovealot(Remix)” with Nicki Minaj for god’s sake. Confused? Join the club. Maybe if she keeps her mouth shut for a month or two people can focus on what made us fall in love with her in the begining her music.
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GREATeclectic aka Kendrick Daye is a DJ, artist and the Editor of Art Nouveau Magazine. As a freelance journalist and photographer his work has been featured in the NY Times Magazine, Ebony Magazine, Upscale Magazine, Creative Loafing, Honeymag.com & Yo-Raps.com.
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I like how you write. I thought that was a fair, honest, and to the point review, even if I haven’t listened to this album yet. I appreciated listening to you. Thank You
thank you!