I usually don't give a shit about the Grammys but must admit I was thrilled to find this email in my inbox this morning. I have been gushing about M.I.A. for some time and it seems mainstream audiences didn't get around to her killer, genre-hopping, world-flavored, lady gangsta single "Paper Planes," and the equally awesome album Kala, until the song was used recently in the Pineapple Express trailer. Perhaps exposure on the Grammys broadcast — somebody still watches, right? — will increase her profile. M.I.A. is one of the most exciting and brilliant young artists on the global stage. She should be playing arena not tiny little sold-out club on Frenchmen Street, which was the case this year at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
Here's my review of Kala, which topped my Top 10 Albums of 2007 tally.
"Paper Planes" went No. 1 on my Top 30 Songs of 2007 list.
Here's the press release:
This article appears in Dec 3-9, 2008.