The artist M.I.A. discusses why she’s quitting music (for now), her visa situation, and the state of counterculture
To recap the events so far: Rapper M.I.A (born Maya Arulpragasam) submitted to a lengthy profile for the New York Times Magazine, written by Lynn Hirschberg. Maya didn’t like the way she was portrayed and subsequently tweeted Hirschberg’s personal phone number. She (Maya) also complained that she’d been quoted out of context (which the Times admitted) and put online some clandestine tapes she’d made herself of the interviews with Hirschberg that showed that the Times reporter had been less than scrupulous in her description of events.
Motherhood is on trial this year, as mothers—famous and infamous, single and married, with one child or 14—come under intense scrutiny. And everyone has an opinion.
Former refugee M.I.A. is still dodging bullets as hard-core fans ask: is she selling out?