1. Mathangi “Maya” Ar… Read Full Bio ↴There are five known artists under this name:
1. Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam also known as M.I.A., (born 18 July 1975 in Hounslow, London, U.K.) is a British artist of Sri Lankan descent. As a baby she moved with her family to their native Sri Lanka, where her father became increasingly politically active in militant activities. As the Civil War escalated the rest of the family was forced to flee as refugees, first to India and then the UK. “M.I.A.” [“Missing In Action”] references both her London neighborhood (Acton) and her politically tumultuous youth.
Her style contains elements of hip-hop, reggae, alternative, dance hall, electro and baile funk and is strongly inspired by her Sri Lankan background.
2. American Punk/Hardcore band formed in Orange County, CA in 1981 by Chris Moon, drums; Mike Conley, bass; Nick Adams, guitar (all previously of Las Vegas, NV punk band The Swell); and Art Carasco, vocals. Their sound was generally hardcore and thrasher, though they produced more melodic and progressive sounds in their later albums. Allmusic called the band "one of the 50 best So-Cal punk bands of the great early-'80s second wave explosion. In 1984 they signed a deal with the cult Alternative Tentacles label, after the label's founder, Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra, saw them play at a secret illegal punk nightclub in Las Vegas. Biafra was impressed by Mike Conley's distinctive voice, saying "The minute you hear a song with him singing you know it's him." They released the album Murder in a Foreign Place on Alternative Tentacles in 1984, followed in 1985 by Notes From the Underground on National Trust Records, and in 1987 by After the Fact on Flipside Records. The band split up in 1988. In 2001, Alternative Tentacles released Lost Boys, a 37-song retrospective of the band's work, including Last Rites, Murder in a Foreign Place, and several additional tracks. On February 28, 2008 vocalist Mike Conley was found dead in a Chicago hotel parking lot. Conley was taken to Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park, where he was pronounced dead at 6:25 a.m. On April 27, 2008, there was a secret warm-up show at Detroit Bar featuring Todd Sampson of Self Abuse and Samson's Army on vocals, Jello Biafra of Dead Kennedys on guest vocals, Chris Moon and Larry Pearson on drums, Nick Adams on guitar, and Bob Thomson on bass. The next day, the "Beautiful Noise" benefit show took place at the Anaheim House of Blues with Jigsaw, Naked Soul, Cadillac Tramps, Social Distortion and MIA with the same lineup as the previous night, but adding Kevin Seconds of 7 Seconds on guest vocals. The proceeds of "Beautiful Noise" went to Mike Conley's family.
(3) Formed in the mid 70s, Independent Musicians Associated (MIA) was a group of musicians, technicians and drawers gathered together by Lito and Liliana Vitale’s parents. They produced their own records and concerts in an independent way. Their music is a complex symphonic rock with definite Argentinean/latin folk influence with multiple chorals and vocals beautifully contrasting with the keyboards and a great guitar sound upon a strong rhythmic section. They were highly influenced by symphonic music, more noteworthy by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Gentle Giant and Focus.
4. Merriweathers is a member of Underground Resistance under the alias of The Unknown Soldier.
5. mia's page (Michaela Grobelny).
Platforms
M.I.A. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dirty roads makes that scarf wrap a must
Rolling by scrolling for the future on the app
Data mine my mind it's a diamond in the ruff
A platform here’s a train of thought
Getting to the right side of me is why I fought
I'm gonna say what else have I got
Guns keep it fun? Keeping men keeping on the run
Guns keep it fun? Keeping men keeping on the run
Guns keep it fun? Keeping men keeping on the run
If oil is the god then the cranes all pray
The crude is so rude coz it makes the people pay
On the side of the road men make money
A flower for a dollar man
He wants a family
If I rose to power it’ll be a bouquet
Emoji a smiley and say you're ok
The tech dudes are the only ones having a good day
And talking is cheap coz they make it easy
A platform here’s a train of thought
Getting to the right side of me is why I fought
I'm gonna say what else have I got
Maybe there’s glory in all the things I’m not
Guns keep it fun? Keeping men keeping on the run
Those who love heat yeah here comes the sun
Power to the people yeah the light is never done
Switch on for the bitches yeah electricity bun
A platform here’s a train of thought
Getting to the right side of me is why I fought
I'm gonna say what else have I got
Maybe there’s glory in all the things I’m not
In the first verse of M.I.A.'s song "Platforms," she is describing her surroundings while traveling by bus. The neon lights and dusty roads are a stark contrast, and she notes that wearing a scarf is necessary for the dirt in the air. M.I.A. also acknowledges the prevalence of technology in modern society, saying she scrolls through her apps for glimpses of the future. She eventually comes to the realization that her thoughts are valuable, comparing them to diamonds hidden in the rough.
The chorus is repetitive but carries a strong message. M.I.A. explains that her platform- her train of thought- is what sets her apart from others. She fought to get to where she is, and she's not afraid to speak her mind. She acknowledges that there may be glory in the things she's not, implying that sometimes it's better to stand out by being different.
The second verse touches on issues of power and money. M.I.A. makes a reference to oil being like a god with the cranes that extract it being like worshippers. She notes that the industry takes advantage of people, and that the men on the side of the road selling flowers are just trying to make ends meet. This second verse hits hard and fast, ending with the repeated line "guns keep it fun" which could be a juxtaposition of the serious issues in the previous lines. However, she could also be highlighting how weapons are seen as toys for some rather than the serious tools they are.
The final chorus has a more upbeat feel. M.I.A. encourages those who love heat to embrace the light, saying that it's never done. She also references a "bun" of electricity, which could be interpreted as a reference to the "bun" hairstyle often worn by M.I.A. There are multiple meanings in these lyrics, but ultimately "Platforms" is about the value of personal expression and the importance of standing firm in your beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
Neon lights on the dust on the ground on the bus
The bright and colorful city lights shine on the dirty ground and in the bus, showing the reality of life.
Dirty roads makes that scarf wrap a must
The polluted and dusty roads make it necessary to wear a scarf to protect oneself from harmful particles.
Rolling by scrolling for the future on the app
Passing by while scrolling through one's smartphone, hoping for a brighter future through technology and innovation.
Data mine my mind it's a diamond in the ruff
The individual's thoughts and ideas are precious and valuable like a diamond but are buried, and technology can bring out that preciousness by mining for data.
A platform here’s a train of thought
A platform serves as a conveyance for an individual's thoughts and ideas.
Getting to the right side of me is why I fought
Struggling to find one's identity and discovering the power of one's ideas is the reason for the fight within oneself.
I'm gonna say what else have I got
Expressing oneself through their platform is the only option they have left.
Maybe there’s glory in all the things I’m not
One can find pride and honor in what they are not instead of finding shame and disappointment through societal norms and expectations.
Guns keep it fun? Keeping men keeping on the run
Guns serve as a source of entertainment for people who use them to keep others running in fear.
If oil is the god then the cranes all pray
Oil has become so valuable and powerful that it is now considered a god, and everything revolves around it.
The crude is so rude coz it makes the people pay
The raw and unrefined form of oil is responsible for causing people to pay a heavy price for the consequences of oil usage.
On the side of the road men make money
People are forced to work at the side of the road to make money due to the scarcity of job opportunities.
A flower for a dollar man
A simple flower can be bought for just one dollar, representing the value of life and its worth in society.
He wants a family
Despite the struggles in life, people still strive for love and companionship and the desire to build a family.
If I rose to power it’ll be a bouquet
If the individual achieves great power and influence, their actions and decisions can result in creating a positive effect like a beautiful bouquet.
Emoji a smiley and say you're ok
Sending an emoji showing a smile on the face is the easiest way of telling someone that everything is okay, hiding one's true emotions.
The tech dudes are the only ones having a good day
The people who work in the technology sector and are part of the digital revolution are the only ones experiencing happiness and success.
And talking is cheap coz they make it easy
Communication has become cheap and effortless due to the evolution of technology and social media platforms.
Those who love heat yeah here comes the sun
For people who enjoy the warmth and positivity of the sun, there is always hope and light in life.
Power to the people yeah the light is never done
Empowering and supporting the people is an ongoing and endless task that will never stop.
Switch on for the bitches yeah electricity bun
Turning on the electricity for the sake of entertainment, ignoring the fact that many people live without basic amenities.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: MATHANGI ARULPRAGASAM, RUBEN FERNHOUT, JERRY LEEMBRUGGEN, TEVIN IRVIN PLAATE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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