Guide Note:

Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, better known as M.I.A., is a politically-outspoken London-based artist and MC. Her most recent album, Kala, was named 2007's album of the year by Rolling Stone and Blender magazines.

Fast Facts:

1. Name: Mathangi Arulpragasam
2. Born July 17, 1977 in Hounslow, London, United Kingdom
3. Spent childhood in Sri Lanka
4. First two albums - Kala and Arular - named for her parents
5. Father was founding member of militant Tamil organization
6. Approached John Singleton to direct her screenplay as a film
7. Has considered launching her own label, to be called Zig-Zag
8. Played Coachella 2008

Though born in London, M.I.A. moved as an infant and grew up in Sri Lanka. Her father was involved with the militant separatist movement The Tamil Tigers, fighting an ongoing civil war with the nation's government. Forced by the government to leave the country, M.I.A.'s family returned to London as refugees, where she was exposed to Western music for the first time.

These experiences as a child have influenced her art and work ever since, and much of M.I.A.'s music explores themes of global poverty, the War on Terror and the immigrant experience in the West.

While filming and documenting an Elastica tour, M.I.A. met electronic artist Peaches, who encouraged her to play around with a drum machine and other musical equipment. M.I.A. produced a demo tape, including the song "Galang," and released it as an independent single.

On the strength of "Galang," M.I.A. was signed to XL Recordings. Her first album, Arular, was released in 2004, along with a mixtape she produced, Piracy Funds Terrorism. Her follow-up, Kala, was released in 2007.