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Updated: 23/09/04
Find out how M.I.A got where she is today
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"When you're an MC your skills are judged by how hard you can diss," says Maya Arul aka M.I.A. "It's all about 'I hate you so much like now'. What's the point in that - it isn't helping anyone." M.I.A's first demo 'Galang' is an upbeat slice of hip hop and survival in London . "People told me to suck up to people, pray, work really hard or do your mates over and run off with the money..."
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"I started listening to the kid next door who played hip hop" |
Originally born in Sri Lanka , 26 year old M.I.A grew up listening to Tamal Film Music, Michael Jackson and Boney M - anything that was catchy pop music that made it to Asia . In England it was Paula Abdul, Tiffany and Madonna. "I had a radio and I used to sleep with it on and learned all Madonna's songs from 'True Blue'. After that I started listening to the kid next door who played hip hop."
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Music wasn't always on the agenda. "I didn't have the patience to learn an instrument!" she admits. "Plus I was totally tone deaf!" At school she practiced dance routines (the first one being Cookie Crew) and then left to study art, doing artwork for the likes of Elastica - she did the cover for Elastica's 'Menace' album. "I got to meet a lot of musicians and hang out with them.
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Next page:
 How she got the deal |
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