M.I.A.

Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, known professionally as M.I.A. (acronym for "Missing in Acton"), was born on July 18, 1975. She is a British musician, record producer, and activist renowned for her provocative commentary on social and political issues such as immigration, war, and identity in a globalized society. M.I.A.'s genre-blending sound merges alternative, dance, electronic, hip hop, and world music, often enhanced by unique instruments and samples.

Initially starting her career as a visual artist and filmmaker in 2000, M.I.A. transitioned to music in 2002. Her debut albums, *Arular* (2005) and *Kala* (2007), garnered critical acclaim for their innovative blend of hip hop and electronic elements. The hit single "Paper Planes" from *Kala* became a massive success, peaking at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 and selling over four million copies. Her third album, *Maya* (2010), was marked by the controversial single "Born Free," while her fourth release, *Matangi* (2013), featured the award-winning track "Bad Girls." M.I.A.'s fifth album, *AIM*, came out in 2016, and she achieved her first Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit as a featured artist on Travis Scott's "Franchise" in 2020.

M.I.A. has received numerous accolades, including two ASCAP awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and a historic nomination for both an Academy Award and Grammy Award in the same year. Recognized as one of the defining artists of the 2000s by *Rolling Stone* and celebrated as one of the 100 most influential people of 2009 by *Time*, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2019 for her contributions to music.