M.I.A.

M.I.A. is a British rapper, producer, and activist of Sri Lankan Tamil descent, born Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam in Hounslow, Greater London. She spent part of her childhood in northern Sri Lanka, where her family was displaced by the civil war before returning to London as refugees. That experience shaped her artistry. She began her creative career in 2000 as a visual artist and filmmaker before turning to music in 2002.

Her early underground singles "Sunshowers" and "Galang" made her one of the first acts to gain fame through the internet. Her debut album Arular and follow-up Kala were critical hits, and the single "Paper Planes" reached number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, selling over four million copies. Later albums included Maya, Matangi, AIM, and Mata. She also scored a number-one single as a featured artist on Travis Scott's "Franchise."

M.I.A. is a British person of Asian ethnicity, standing 5'5" with an average body type and natural breasts. She is an outspoken activist, advocating for Julian Assange and criticizing various political figures and policies. She was raised Hindu but converted to Christianity in 2017 after a vision of Jesus. Her list of honors includes two ASCAP awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, an MBE, and recognition from Time and Rolling Stone. She has 1.1 million Instagram followers. She is the first person of South Asian descent to be nominated for both an Academy Award and a Grammy in the same year.