Wissenswertes

Raised in Sri Lanka, where her father was a guerilla fighter.

She eventually returned to her birthplace in London, where she and her family were housed as refugees.

Performed at the Grammy Awards on February 8, 2009 although it was the day she was due to give birth to her first child.

Was born in Hounslow, London. When she was six months old, her family moved back to their native Sri Lanka.

Some of her early influences were: Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, Roxanne Shante and N.W.A

After hearing his single, "News Flash", and loving it, Arulpragasam tracked down and met with Diplo, the Mississippi-born DJ originally named Wesley Pentz, to work on some material.

Her father was 'Arul Pragasam', leader of 'Eelam Revolutionary Organisation of Students'(aka EROS) one of the main Tamil anti-government organization operating in Sri Lanka.

She is of Sri Lankan descent.

Gave birth to her 1st child at age 33, a son Ikhyd Edgar Arular Bronfman on February 11, 2009. Child's father is her now ex-fiancé, Benjamin Bronfman.

Her hit "Paper Planes" hit multi-Platinum certification in Canada and the U.S., was certified Gold in New Zealand, and reached the Top 20 on the world charts.

Went to London's Central Saint Martins Art School, where she studied fine art, film and video.

"M.I.A." is an acronym for Missing In Acton, in reference to the gritty section of London she lived in.

Her first public art exhibition show was nominated for the alternative Turner prize, every painting sold and a monograph book of the collection was published by Pocko.

Was in a relationship with Benjamin Bronfman from 2008 (they became engaged the same May) to 2012. They have a son together.

She was heavily involved in international politics, and expressed her support for embattled Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange.

She had a five year relationship with Diplo. From 2008 to 2012 she dated billionaire environmentalist Benjamin Bronfman. She gave birth to their son, Ikhyd Edgar Arular Bronfman, in 2009.

She was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours List for her services to music.

Her debut album, Arular, was released in America in March 2005