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M.I.A. Accused of Questionable Lyrics & Artwork Use

Tuesday Aug 19, 2008 – By Clutch

Sri Lankan/American hip-hop artist, DeLon, questions Interscope recording artist, M.I.A. (Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam), for using images representative of the terrorist group, The Liberation Tiger Tamils of Eelam (LTTE). The LTTE has long been recognized by the FBI as one of the deadliest terrorist groups in the world, and has been credited with the perfection of the use of suicide bombers, invention of the suicide belt, mass recruitment of child soldiers, and pioneering the use of women in suicide attacks. The LTTE is only terrorist organization to have assassinated two world leaders.

On July 29, 2008, DeLon posted his remixed version of M.I.A’s song, “Paper Planes” on YouTube. The educational video contained graphic evidence of M.I.A’s imagery and usage of the symbols of the LTTE. Within 12 hours of release, the video drew over 10,000 user views and comments. Hours later, Interscope under the Universal Music Group (UMG) umbrella, had the video removed from YouTube for “endangerment” of M.I.A.’s reputation as a “Freedom Fighter.” Subsequently, DeLon is filing a lawsuit against UMG for infringement of his 1st Amendment rights. On July 31, 2008, the video was made available for download at: http://public.me.com/ceylonrecords and generated over 6,000 downloads in just 2 hours. (Continue Reading…)

Fresh says:

August 19, 2008 at 12:30 pm

Really…well how exactly are the lyrics in sync with LTTE? I love this song and I really don’t understand how it is link to LTTE.

↑ Reply

Glennisha says:

August 19, 2008 at 2:47 pm

Well if you listen to M.I.A.’s lyrics you easily tell that’ s she’s a freedom fighter. She’ s radical and she’ s about change. Most people who dont’ really have a good ear for music don’t even listen to the lyrics or at least try to. So they hear the beats and that’s about it. I wouldn’t put this allegations past M.I.A. but, also a lot of groups that are called terrorist groups and simply groups who are fighting for their country, their people, and for what’s right. People are so quick to go along with the govn’t when they label someone a terrorist. Our freaking president, George Bush is a terrorist!

August 19, 2008 at 2:48 pm

The Black Panthers were labeled terrorists at one point some come on!

heartsandflowers says:

August 19, 2008 at 11:00 pm

Some idiot trying to garner publicity for themselves. MIA’s father is a Tamil Tiger though the US and Western gov’ts have classified them as a terrorist group on behalf of the Sri Lankan gov’t to force them to disarm. You can’t bully someone into doing what you want – well the US tries but look how well that’s going! Anyway she is serious about her work and an amazing artist. She was banned from entering the US for 6 months so clearly she isn’t backing down. She’s very brave. Can you name any cushy athletes or musicians in this country who are sticking their necks out to even protest Darfur?