Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam (born 18 July 1975), better known by her stage name M.I.A., is a British rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and activist. She is of Sri Lankan Tamil origin. "M.I.A." is a play on her own name and a reference to the abbreviation of Missing in Action. Her compositions combine elements of alternative, dance, electronic, hip hop and world music. M.I.A. began her career in 2000 as a visual artist, filmmaker and designer in west London before beginning her recording career in 2002. Since rising to prominence in early 2004 for her singles "Sunshowers" and "Galang...