Exploding onto an unsuspecting music world in 2004 M.I.A. aka Mathangi (Maya) Arulpragasm hit the ground running with one of the most assured debut albums ever released.

Taking in influences from her almost unbelievable experiences growing up, born in London, moving with her parents to their civil war torn home country of Sri Lanka while still a baby only to relocate to India before returning to London all by the age of ten, deeply affected by the struggles she had seen and experienced herself in her short life to that point.

By the turn of the century a grown up Maya was already a successful visual artist using the medium to express her political beliefs and incredible talent for biting social commentary.

With the contemporary art world intrinsically linked to the music industry it wasn’t long before Maya found a new outlet for her remarkable skills.

Taking musical heroes like The Slits and The Clash and melding that punk ethos to her love of hip hop and her Sri Lanken roots Maya came up with a sound that was completely original. On its release her debut ‘Arular’ bemused critics but took over clubs and sound systems, defining British urban culture in microcosm, changing everything in an instant.

In 2006 M.I.A. became a global concern with the release of her second long player ‘Kala’ and the stratospheric success of single ‘Paper Planes’. The US were hooked, the record sold millions, Maya was a superstar and deserved no less.

Her third album sealed the deal, self titled, ‘Maya’ continued her mission to tackle important political issues through her music while pushing the boundaries of what that music actually sounded like.

Musical genius, political firestorm, philanthropist, artist, fashion guru and one of the best live performers on the planet, we welcome M.I.A. with open arms.