Recent demands for a ceasefire in her home country of Sri Lanka are a reminder of the rapper's concern for humanitarian issues. M.I.A. has always fused political, personal, and humanitarian in her music. While she is busy with her new baby, her new record label - N.E.E.T, and a video shoot for "Bang" the new single from her label's debut artist Rye Rye, the impact of the war and the hundreds of thousands affected are also on her mind.
M.I.A knows the impact of war. She grew up in Sri Lanka where her father was a Tamil supporter and occasionally on the run. Demands for ceasefire and the recent demands of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa are not new in this over 25 year conflict. This time, government forces seem stronger and the Tamil army has been secluded to a small corner in the northern edge of the island. Hundreds of thousands of refugees are affected and 50,000 to 100,000 others remain trapped in the area where the government and rebel army battle.
M.I.A. is quick to remind people of the real heart of this issue. She recently told MTV.com , "It's a humanitarian situation...It's not about, 'Do you support the government, or do you support the Tigers?' which I think everyone is making this whole thing into, and has made it into for the past 30 years. You have to recognize it's actually about the people who are stuck in the middle getting exploited by both sides."
The U.S. government joined the international community to call for the ceasefire on Wednesday. Previous internationally supported ceasefires have been unsuccessful, but M.I.A. remains hopeful, "Fingers crossed. We'll wait and see what happens. Hopefully, there is a solution."
We want to know what our readers think about the conflict in Sri Lanka and M.I.A.'s comments.
Want to comment on this article? [ Sign in ] or [ get a FREE account ] at Desi Hits! (You get access to free MP3s and other stuff, too).
well she wasnt living in Srilanka through out her life time.. has she?? so she obviously doesnt know what's going on in srilanka... LTTE has child terrorist... their recruited with out their will.. most of the terrorists are recruited with out their will.. so MIA if you love Srilanka & tamils.. look at what LTTE has done for tamils.. the whole country, every race, every kid & adult is effected by LTTE.. This is a true victory... & anumani.. ur d loser... chek out d facts before YOU TALK behalf of a terrorist group which's banned by USA aswell..
she cares about our people and so she should her music has something serious about it - its not bubblegum pop. I am glad she is bringing these serious issues to the fans of desi hits because it affects us all. read her stuff loser she grew up in the warzone she has suffered as a result of it and she is doing more than you are to help people who are being killed...
Her father is known Terrorist activist. I don't think she has clue about the 30 year war where more sinhalese people have been murdered than the Tamils and most of the tamils have themselves have been killed by the LTTE. MIA just to singing if you think you are any good.