Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, better known as M.I.A., is a politically-outspoken London-based artist and MC. Her most recent album, Kala, was named 2007's album of the year by Rolling Stone and Blender magazines.

M.I.A. performed at the Grammy Awards on February 8, 2009, the same day her baby was due.People: Pregnant M.I.A. to Rap at Grammys (February 5, 2009) On February 11th, she announced via her MySpace blog that she had given birth to a baby boy.Pitchfork: M.I.A. Has a Baby Boy! (February 15, 2009) It was early announced that she named her baby Ickitt, though M.I.A. later set the record straight saying that she had not named her baby "Ickitt" and hadn't released the baby's name because she "didn't think it was news".PerezHilton: The Best/Worst Celebrity Baby Name Ever!!! (March 6, 2009) Gossip website TMZ obtained the birth certificate and announced that the baby was in fact named Ikhyd Edgar Arular Bronfman.TMZ: M.I.A's Real (Crazy) Baby Name (March 21, 2009)

Criticism of M.I.A.'s music comes from those aware of her political affiliation with the Tamil Tigers. The group, officially designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and Great Britain, has been involved in the long-running civil war in Sri Lanka. At a time when most observers are hopeful that the Sri Lankan government is gaining ground on shutting down the group, M.I.A. sings in support of their struggle and includes imagery that pushes support for the cause. However, most people who are unaware of the conflict would not notice the political overtones of her music. During an interview with PBS she called the Sri Lankan government's response to the Tamil Tigers a genocide, but said that with her music she wanted to leave it ambigous for her fans.The New York Times: The Dissonant Undertones of M.I.A. (February 11, 2009)

While she was invited to perform her Academy Award nominated song O Saya at the Oscars on February 22nd, she chose to decline.Us Magazine: M.I.A.: I Didn't Name My Baby... (March 6, 2009)

Though born in London, M.I.A. moved as an infant and grew up in Sri Lanka. Her father was involved with the militant separatist movement The Tamil Tigers, fighting an ongoing civil war with the nation's government. Forced by the government to leave the country, M.I.A.'s family returned to London as refugees, where she was exposed to Western music for the first time.

These experiences as a child have influenced her art and work ever since and much of M.I.A.'s music explores themes of global poverty, the War on Terror and the immigrant experience in the West.

While filming and documenting an Elastica tour, M.I.A. met electronic artist Peaches, who encouraged her to play around with a drum machine and other musical equipment. M.I.A. produced a demo tape, including the song "Galang," and released it as an independent single.

On the strength of "Galang," M.I.A. was signed to XL Recordings. Her first album, Arular, was released in 2004, along with a mixtape she produced, Piracy Funds Terrorism. Her follow-up, Kala, was released in 2007.