M.I.A.: Paper Planes

Well about bloody time this video made itself on this blog, but it is not for lack of trying. Crap-flash-tic versions abound, but cliptip offers you a wonderful quicktime file. Directed by Bernard Gourley, M.I.A. is showcased in her adopted New York home looking ghetto fabulous, working the bodega, flippin the Casette Playa. Watch the music video (qt).

M.I.A.: Jimmy

Easily one of the best tracks of the year, M.I.A. turns her ruffneck grime style to the camp disco of Bollywood. A genius, tongue-in-cheek remake of "Jimmy Jimmy Aija" of the Hindi film Disco Dancer, the swirling synths and psychedelic strings leave the average listener puzzled at initial hearing. When fully experienced with gold lamé multi-armed demigoddess choreography, bitmapped wallpaper FXs, and shapely shadow dancing, you fall in love with it all over again. The video is gloriously directed by Nezar Khamal. Watch the music video (qt).

M.I.A.: Boyz

Okay. I'm back from a hiatus. Where the hell was I? Well, let's see... Lisbon, Istanbul, New York and Toronto. So if there is some concern over where I was, let's just say I've been rather occupied and without laptop. Glad to be back and sorry to be so AWOL, but I must confess, being unplugged for a couple of weeks did feel good. So here's a new video from a favourite artist of mine: the rebel fusionist electro grime innovator M.I.A. Her latest continues her style evolution to the towards the Diplo-esque ragga Baile funk. This video, despite her increasing popularity, keeps it bit-mapped and rough around the edges. Watch the music video (qt).

M.I.A.: Bird Flu

In most cases, pity any video posted following one of the most innovative voices in contemporary music, Bjork. But in this case, I've brought in a ringer. UK based fusion grime artist M.I.A. made critically applauded waves last year with a debut that rocked the underground while defying categorization. Now her sophomore release is imminent and it promised to continue with more confrontational drums and lyrics. This is the first video for the single "Bird Flu." Why call it "Bird Flu?" Because, according to M.I.A. herself, "...this beat is gon kill everyone." Watch the music video (qt).

M.I.A.: Galang 05

Oh the horror. Oh the dreaded horror. This week has not been a great week for me. Recent video concepts are really boring me with trotted out "band playing in a cool looking studio" story boards that, frankly, have dampened my motivation to keep pace. But this is the latest offense. Let me preface this by saying I love M.I.A. I don't care if people think she is a faux Tamil Sri Lankan really a privaleged London art-schooled marketing confection. I can look past the fact that her live shows are DAT playbacks. That's because the music is fresh, innovative and, in my opinion, rather good. But to go as far as ca$hing in on a Honda TV commercial? Oh, Maya- we gotta talk some shit real fast. Watch the re-released for 2005 video (real).

M.I.A.: Bucky Done Gun

Fierce track from the Sri Lankan born grime wonder. Blaring horns and old school electro hip hop beats with M.I.A.'s impeccable delivery. This one sounds best very very loud with very low frequency response. Watch the video (real).

M.I.A.: Galang

Arular, the debut long player from M.I.A. is out now. Despite Slate's skepticism on the "packaging up" of the Sri Lankan born Londoner's public image, we find it killer. This colourful graffiti grime video will kicking up the party and the revolution, real or not. Watch the video (real).

M.I.A.: Sunshowers

London-based Sri Lankan born M.I.A. (a.k.a Maya Arulpragasam) storms onto the global underground with grime beats, electro angularity and defiant ragga infused lyrics. Expect great, and well-hyped things from this young up and comer. Watch the video (real).