There are five known artists under this name:

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).

What's Your Problem
M.I.A. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What's your
Problem, you'll never say
Problem, why you act this way
Problem, or do what you do
Problem, they say you're a fool

Given up on life
Never listen to what's right

Using all your friends
Don't you understand

You've got a
Problem, think you know it all
Problem, drive me up a wall
Problem, you're full of complaints
Problem, you've got no brains
Problem, you're bad news
Problem, always gonna lose
Problem, there is no hope
Problem, you're at the end of your rope

You've got a problem

Gotta problem
Gotta problem

Overall Meaning

"What's Your Problem?" by M.I.A. is a song that criticizes certain individuals who have given up on life and refuse to change their ways despite the consequences. The lyrics highlight the fact that these people do not acknowledge or take responsibility for their actions and continuously make the same mistakes, causing harm to themselves and those around them. M.I.A. addresses this issue by using a sarcastic tone and repetitive lyrics, emphasizing the seriousness of the problem at hand.

The opening lyrics, "What's your problem, you'll never say," suggests that the person in question is unwilling to accept that they have a problem and are not interested in seeking help. The song goes on to highlight how the individual has given up on life and is only interested in doing what they want, regardless of the impact it has on others.

The chorus of the song uses the word "problem" repeatedly to drive home the message that the person in question is a significant issue. M.I.A. suggests that the person in question is full of complaints, does not have the capacity to understand the situation and is always going to lose.

In summary, "What's Your Problem?" is a critique of individuals who are unwilling to accept that they have a problem and continuously make the same harmful choices in their life.

Line by Line Meaning

What's your Problem, you'll never say
Why won't you be honest about what's bothering you?

Problem, why you act this way
Why do you behave the way that you do?

Problem, or do what you do
Why do you continue to make the same mistakes?

Problem, they say you're a fool
People think you are foolish for your actions.

Given up on life
You have stopped trying to improve your situation.

Never listen to what's right
You ignore good advice and make your own choices.

Using all your friends
You take advantage of those closest to you.

Don't you understand
Why can't you comprehend the severity of your situation?

You've got a Problem, think you know it all
You seem to believe you have all the answers despite your issues.

Problem, drive me up a wall
Your behavior is frustrating and difficult to deal with.

Problem, you're full of complaints
You constantly complain but do nothing to fix what is wrong.