M.I.A | Full Q&A | Oxford Union

[@mooreoftre]

Its so interesting because while it SEEMS like she's having a hard time articulating herself I can see that she knows good and well what she wants to actually say but she's having internal conversations about what she WILL say. I feel that she doesn't actually like this crowd or setting to be honest. I can see that she has a lot to say but may be conserving energy. It's like when you're very passionate about something and someone asks you about it but you feel they aren't genuinely trying to know about that topic and could possibly be just trying to poke fun.

[@jenaeeanej108]

I get what your saying. It sucks sometimes, because you have alot to say that is important, but the crowd your talking to is too caught up on nonsense that your words are nonsense. I guess. I wish I could have a conversation with her. She seems very chill and the convos would be meaningful! I love M.I.A.!! ✌️🖤✌️

[@delisiasimth6556]

I can truly tell MIA was not really feeling this whole entire interview. By being passionate of her explanations in different ways about her upcoming from her home It is really difficult to swallow that dose of pain from what she saw and what she had going through. She very gorgeous!!

[@selfdevelopmentcoach]

Yes, I completely agree! These college students are definitely NOT her audience! This is why I think she struggled to be more direct in her speaking. She has a lot of living and depth within her and obviously these young students haven't even begun to live or really know from experience what she's trying to convey. They can't truly understand at her level what she is saying and who she really is. This in turn makes HER feel restricted and insecure to really express concretely what she knows. She should be speaking to other refugees and immigrants and anyone who has first-hand experience with that culture. They would understand her at that deeper level and they would offer her more support so that SHE felt courageous enough to articulate her passion. It's just not her audience. With that being said, I just love her and her fight and her authenticity and her passion!

[@Esellajessica]

Ugh! Your description is soooo accurate! I do that sometimes when I meet someone I know won't value what's important to me

[@selfdevelopmentcoach]

@@Esellajessica It is very hard to be courageous and speak our truth, especially when we know that those we are speaking to are not getting it. It's just one of the many challenges of personal growth.

[@NiceGameInc]

You don't have to expect a top-notch speech from an artist like M.I.A who always "talked" to the ppl by making great and meaningful music, i respect it even more that she walks up that stage without having a whole, flawless speech prepared. She has just got herself with her and the truths she wants to share with the people. You'll hardly find honest people like her that often today. When i see M.I.A and listen to her words i can feel how important it is for her to be able to speak about what bothers her. And i just admire her for doing that!

[@fariharostai7846]

I loved Peter Lustig too - another real person - R.I.P - bist du's, Peter, im Himmel...?

[@anthonymcclarren557]

Amien Amen

[@cocochanelly5193]

She's so sad, I noticed right away her eyes getting watery. Very humble & u can tell it REALLY hurts her! She's amazing luv ya mama 😘♥️

[@Brandin-James]

Yeah I felt the same. I felt so sad for her cos she really seems to want justice and seems to feel defeated. It's horrible. I wish I could help to encourage her to not give up.

[@armageddon4831]

cause as the comment above you says shes knows the situation more intimately than she can divulge. she has seen the misery first hand. she has rubbed shoulders with some of the powerful people responsible. she wants to help, but she doesnt want to die for it.

[@vodkaboy]

She's rare. She see things as they are, which is very hard, emotionally speaking. Older folks will often tell you that if you want to achieve happiness, you need to care less, and enjoy the present. For some of us, it's hard, and even impossible when things are getting bad to worse. So, you're stuck between two seats, while your brain tells you that you need to shake peoples up, that you need to show them what you saw, what you understood, your heart will tell you to let them be, and to remember that you're nothing, just one of many, not a prophet, nothing. (If you feel the same and read this, the only actual tip I got is to read more, and not to fall for pseudo-scientific bs and other fairy tales. And listen to yourself a little more. It's ok to stop caring sometimes, you're important.)

[@lovyazid]

oh shut up please

[@MrMikkyn]

Its so nice to see that someone really cares about injustice

[@carloscamp-gar463]

humble and honest. A real person. She is great.

[@mararaiss]

Data

[@anthonymcclarren557]

Proverbs 31 Damn, what they think

[@steveharringtonfarmer1030]

praise God!

[@last7509]

i kind of hate people that respond like this. taking this long winding road to the point... and then not arriving at any point at all. trying to avoid being ordinary i guess, but leaving you with more questions than answers after they respond.

[@carloscamp-gar463]

@@last7509it would have been great if would have just ✨ shut the phuck up.✨

[@hra2290]

“If you hate who I am you should stop making more of me” MIA

[@larrytheloose]

keep making them and souls like hers are herded, expected and known to clan together and fight the good fight. another control because WE keep feeding it. i'm in the mix to.

[@devlinproctor6417]

It's sad to see all these people in the comments bashing her for speaking truth. People come the the OU with prepared speeches that aren't the truth and try to hard to not be controversial. She purposely came with no preparation and let people ask her what they want to hear rather than banging on about nonsense. She is a creative genius which is why her explanations of some things may sound a bit distorted but that is how her mind works, she is speaking on the spot to a room full of people who would traditionally hated her and viewed her as dumb for not going the traditional route of success.

[@trevorjonathan4405]

Her final 2 answers were on point - regarding the internet and how it has been turned. From uniting people together through through knowledge and ideas (wisdom) into a distortion tool of divisive rhetoric - sold to us by the "blob" (current and emerging power structures). The profit incentive distorts the truth. You have to ride the wave against corruption, jumping from 1 medium to another, before it becomes insidious (infection of a virus). "Hip 2 Da Game - Lord Finesse"

[@devlinproctor6417]

Exactly! Throughout the interview she gave insight on how the corporate world works in terms of her label and artistic expression. She discussed things that no one has ever even hinted at in the OU, just because she isn't a walking dictionary does not make her dumb, although Oxford would just see her as another uneducated refugee...

[@sapatokata]

Others have spoken but then paid the price.i thought the way she addressed her answers was some what ingenious.Sound like you don't know what you're but say what you can to get the point across.

[@alandbs329]

Devlin Proctor she's still not going to sleep with you Devlin.

[@Dlorisumbridge3887]

don't listen to him Devlin, the guy's not the nicest of people.

[@modulator7861]

This is beautiful. Compared to most people, MIA has navigated a TON of complex, conflicting situations in her young life. She's experienced life in the East vs West. Poverty vs Wealth. From Refugee status to global fame as a hiphop Star. Celebrity to Activist, etc. That's a LOT to take in and process - and I think that sense of "conflict" comes through in her incredible art. It may bother some folks that MIA mixes art and geopolitics. But she's singing about real-world issues that have literally shaped her life... And honestly - if not for MIA, how many people in the West would even know about the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka? Obviously no one is perfect, but I'm glad MIA is out there, using her artistic genius to make the world a better place.

[@juliuscaesar6500]

She knows wayyyy more than she can say

[@Itskilo]

Yeah illuminati would kill her... well, they would contact the lizard people who would contact the aliens to have her killed

[@steveharringtonfarmer1030]

yep, she s the cutting edge of something alrite

[@juancampos1317]

King Kilo yooo you wild 😂👌🏽

[@joelsunny]

she was married and had a kid with the son of jewish billionaire edgar bronfman, who has ties with almost all the powerful western politicians. so yeah she probably does.

[@Dk-ns3ge]

Joel Sunny what does him being Jewish have anything to do with it lol

[@Pancakeshouse85]

I've watched this about five times now. She's articulated (although others debate) exactly what the problem is with humanity progressing. Even in her art book she states it plainly People vs. Money-what matters more to people? When is it forced on a single person what matters more, and at that time do they have a choice. How long before something or someone is co-opted? M.I.A. is the single most incredible artist I've come across in a very long time. If she stops making music, I sincerely hope (and truly think) she'll continue on in some medium.She's amazing. Point blank. Period.

[@GIULIA-vd2mu]

she is so raw. we should be so thankful for artist like her who speak their mind; she has taught me a lot, from her lyrics to the messages behind her music videos, just her as a person. I hope to meet her one day and just talk about so much stuff. Keep being you M.I.A. we love and support you!

[@poochakutti1936]

Saying she taught a numbskull like you is not saying much.

[@Lisa_Uncensored]

Giulia Palma you’ve learned a lot from her? She’s an entertainer. You should be learning from various sources. Her side is one side and that doesn’t make for a very strong opinion or education of the facts.

[@gowreharan]

When there's a killer and a victim, you clearly see what the victim went through, you don't try to balance the story because you may seem one sided. Killer is a killer.

[@amberjolly2551]

M.I.A. is speaking from such a higher place of understanding life and it feels like no one in the room is hearing her (*ahem* academics *ahem*). She is absolutely riveting! Does anyone else hear her wisdom?!

[@jenaeeanej108]

Yes!! So much wisdom! I would love to have a conversation with her!!

[@TheRantMaster53]

As a South Asian myself, it's so refreshing to see people like M.I.A somewhat in the mainstream, giving us at least a little bit of representation in pop culture. It's even better that M.I.A is unapologetically Tamil and exposes the culture to a wider audience. Mad respect! Keep making great music!

[@michellea9857]

Fundamentally she is a British brown person

[@Adwien]

She has lived in fear of decoding an agenda targeted at the entire region in which she comes from. She is apart of a unique class of people that are either misrepresented or neglected altogether in the media. I understand why it might be difficult to discuss the topics posed to her being that her own identity has been censored and "restricted". Most of the people in the audience cannot related, though they may try to through her music. It's always interesting to see the disconnect between the consumer and the artist in a situation where the creator doesn't feel as though they owe you an explanation in any form. I take it this was what that was. She just didn't feel like expressing herself. In other words, "you don't know me" and as long as I'm on a stage you'll only come to know an idea of who am I, nothing more or less.

[@thecomedian6322]

I feel like she revealed so much about herself. Her life is a lot more complicated because of her status as a refugee so she addressed her background as such to give the audience of what it's like and how it affects who you are. So she was open about that sorta stuff. She shoves intimate or personal details I think more for the audience's sake than hers. From what I gather, the audience and even the interviewer doesn't see her as a refugee but rather as an entertainer, and despite claiming to be interested in the beginning, when she actually answers the question, he seems to zone out. The next student to ask a question asks about her music career, in a way that seems to distance the artist of MIA from the personhood of Maya, a refugee from Sri Lanka. This might be why she seems stand-offish. Its a dichotomy of wanting to share your story, which is more heavy-handed than most have experienced, and being an entertainment figure as an artist. The room goes from very welcoming to kind of tense from the tragedy of her upbringing story I think. I don't know what they were expecting but I enjoyed finding out more of her views on the west and the "blob" of sorts as it relates to power dynamics and refugees. She was more open about those topics than others.

[@fangtooth4471]

Well said.

[@monkeymasuda]

Interesting I feel like she’s lived fearlessly independent unique and strong and very well spoken✨

[@monkeymasuda]

Interesting I feel like she’s lived fearlessly independent unique and strong and very well spoken✨

[@tanidancer5628]

YA HONEY bollywood is not like i cant with this comment

[@awanzyou]

There is no one like her on earth. So much respect and love for you Maya

[@diepls4491]

sara ben shut the fuck up

[@sethabel4315]

Ram-pama-pama-pa-pama-pama-pama

[@BJ-ld8vn]

Went to school with her, she worked so hard … She deserves all The success !

[@Elvisism]

Was she quite smart? I get the impression she was

[@BJ-ld8vn]

@@Elvisism she couldn’t speak much English when she arrived, but my goodness once she grasped the language her writing was so eloquent and her artwork was beyond her years !! She was so bubbly, and she was an activist from day one, we were so dippy at 12yrs old and she would tell us about the struggles in Sri Lanka and about the Tamil tigers ! And money was never the reason she took every opportunity and excelled, her mum worked hard to support the family, her dad suffered PTSD from being a political prisoner.

[@Elvisism]

@@BJ-ld8vn It seems her hardships fuelled a very quick character and skill development on her part, which shows as you say through her art and activism. It must be great to remember such brilliant childhood memories with someone so influential and you must be so proud of her accomplishments. Thanks for sharing!

[@BJ-ld8vn]

@@Elvisism yes my year had some amazing kids - shame my kids don’t believe me ! I even have pics 😂 to prove it but alas …

[@Therealtrapanthem]

@@BJ-ld8vn 1975?

[@igorknown8608]

what she does and have been doing for the culture is completely unique and unparalleled. there is great knowledge and power in that. very good job! 🔥

[@Malik_Hoff]

Funfact: She put people on the map That never Seeeen a map.

[@illcrewuniversal1332]

What culture?

[@Tenaki2427]

M.I.A: my people are dying for profit and no-one cares Girl: yah how did u start making music

[@deandrake2723]

Tenaki2427 She puts people on the map who's never even seen one.

[@UlyssesHaq]

nice flag brother :)

[@Azzataky]

Just at that point. Why do I feel like I want to slap that white girl in the face? Oh I know, she is exactly what is wrong with the world. "Look, this is what might be a problem in the world..." - "Yea I know, but ENTERTAINMENT." :D We dont really care about democracy or anything thats why there is an increase in these dictator like figures.

[@porcelainbeatsofficial429]

I think this is the problem: people used to see someone as an artist or activist and she's the one who doesn't want to choose. Like Kanye. That's why real people been misunderstood. Really feeling it.

[@keeran31]

Next time you download an app to your phone go read the terms and conditions and the access you hand over to the intellectual property rights holders. You might then understand what she means about business taking over from governments as the holders and "owners" of your privacy and all the data that forms your identity and credentials; who then repackage and on-sell your data. Just because someone who is highly talented in the arts whether it be music, fashion and even an acute understanding of the complexity and nuances of the political sciences becomes a successful global icon in urban migrant culture, even though she says she doesn't ascribe to it; is not her pursing profits simply for profit's sake. She 's an internationally successful musician with a moral compass. Tenaki2427 and the oddballs that liked his comment are the lemmings brainwashed by their new Digital Messiahs.

[@sunkissedlen]

Could they have found a worse host for her? I was cringing every time I looked at that guy, who seemed so bored and out of it and who barely ever looked at her. I felt like that took away from the depth and importance of everything she was saying. MIA sometimes takes a while to say things and she uses a lot of filler phrases, but if you're patient enough, she does explain a LOT of very meaningful things and shares her colorful life with us. But that guy, ....Christ!

[@alandbs329]

Eh.......it's her fault. Turns up unprepared, that's fine, I've sometimes gone to school like her and said the dog ate my homework, it happens. Says the first question "is crap". Then says stuff like, "em, um, I felt 9/11 coming ......eh, I forgot the question." Exact quote like 10 minutes in. Great musician, dire interviewee. Such a gump.

[@freelance_commie]

alandbs it is a crap question. Might as well be, “where do you get your ideas?”

[@rahulkemp8347]

@@freelance_commie is he chineese?

[@Michael-ld2np]

I really feel like he caught feelings after she told him his first question was crap at 1:28 lmaooo

[@docducttape9270]

@@freelance_commie "Where did you get your ideas" is a great question to ask an artist/activist. How else do you get to know them without knowing where they get their influence and inspiration from? Anyway, don't see the issue there.

[@mortimermorti7428]

Those people in the hall, dont comprehend that M.I.A. is representing the "small person", the "plain immigrant", "plain civilian" with their point of view and their mindset. She is a normal person, immigrant, that wants to talk about the normal things that worry the normal person or immigrant. Thats very clear in her songs, I think. Those people weere expexting her to speak like a politician

[@FongJeChan]

The underdogs ally

[@robert10197]

she looks like she's on the verge of tears in many parts talking about her people

[@jenaeeanej108]

I know!! It breaks my heart! 😟 She's so passionate!

[@PaulStewart28]

She's phenomenal. Brave, humble and courageous in a room full of privilege being 100 percent transparent. She's giving these kids more education than they'll receive in the classroom. Wonderful.

[@Jamieisastar]

She just sings about her self and her truth. Stop expecting her to be more than who she is. I understood everything she was saying. I think we are conditioned to hear polished interviews and speeches yet we can't connect to people are truly just thinking and speaking freely from their soul.

[@fr7nkyph7llyj7ne5]

Well said ♥️

[@briteness]

She is worth hearing. She seems more honest than most people, it is not easy to put her into any box, and her intuitive sense seems pretty strong. I like that she admits that she, like pretty much all of the rest of us, cannot quite identify the real sources of our situation, and that she, again like pretty much all of the rest of us, cannot really figure out the next step. She would probably hate my politics, and I would probably disagree with a lot of her conclusions, but I admire the way she is daring to speak openly about things which are difficult, if not at times impossible, to speak about with any kind of authority.

[@ChristinaGina]

She nailed the ''blob'' thing...completely...

[@ronschellepatton1648]

To people who think that "the blob" is just normal people running corporations and encouraging war, why are these "normal people" influencing the President of the United States to start wars, and sabotaging her career when she talks about them? They're just people running corporations, right? This is literally what would be considered the Illuminati, there is nothing magical or supernatural about it (Illuminati is not a real thing, it's a term), it's just a ton of rich people working on behalf of their own best interests, to get more money and influence out of publicity (how much influence do you need to affect the President on decisions that kill real people?)

[@ryanLeKing]

ChrisGina.. Yes. RonPat.. That *Special Blob* is. Man operates within The BLob-Organism; yet, The Spirit is it's fuel - flesh a mere vehicle.

[@Domisgreater]

"The Blob" is the capitalist imperialism

[@fisherbredrup]

Rothschild family

[@OggyGTA]

@@ronschellepatton1648 You've pretty much nailed it - people (detached from everything real) acting to further their wealth and power is what corrupts the decent agendas of others. Of course the antidote to this is conviction - and conviction politicians do not get elected.

[@soinat9682]

man she goes way over this crowd and interviewers heads... like she finishes stating this genius, deep, emotional story and he goes "ok. sure" ...what she is so deep and full of knowledge. wish i would've been there. god bless her and her path, we need more raw vulnerability like this. genius woman.

[@catchmeifyoucan1095]

Ikr

[@good2btheking]

Sad that she is touching on so many alarming subjects but no one seems to take her bait. I can understand her trepidation and i think she is very brave to talk about the subject matter but it is alarming to see how she has to curtail her comments so as not to step on the wrong feet. Sad world we have created for ourselves.

[@myredhuntingcap]

She is as real as it gets. If you don't like it, check yourself!

[@misterjahi]

I appreciate she opened the floor to questions, I just wish there were better questions. Really deep perspective. If you look deeper than the surface you see she is far more than just a recording artist.

[@DevaniAnjaliAlderson]

RIGHT??? MIA - talks about deep global issues. Q - so how did you start music? seriously? you can youtube like a million other interviews.

[@dhananjayrele6330]

arent you slightly disappointed that she had nothing to say by herself? nothing at all, straight away going to questions, its silly how unprepared she was for this, a waste of precious time...

[@gowreharan]

@ Dhananjay Rele: I see that you've made few "hate" comments on this link and yet complaining about wasting your time. May be your problem isn't really about time, but you couldn't handle the truth.

[@buffdaddddddddy]

interviewer is not on her level. a mind like MIA cannot be contained in a rigid format with a set list of questions with a nicely packaged set of answers. react to the conversation, explore things, feel the flow. most people can't do that cos they prize the performance of intellect and crass certainty over honesty.

[@buffdaddddddddy]

@@techguy188 ah yes a meme reply, totally not proving my point

[@techguy188]

@@buffdaddddddddy Really sorry, I just replied by half-reading your answer ,my mistake ! sorry again pal ! :)

[@buffdaddddddddy]

@@techguy188 loll no worries!

[@techguy188]

@@buffdaddddddddy Ha ha Yeah! stay safe! :)

[@aamiraredd9808]

She is so god damn beautiful.

[@ckmoto83]

she is sexy...skin, eyes, leaps, body...she is over 40 and she looks 30

[@thundergun933]

I 💘 her fashion sense. She's the furthest from the basic text book bitch.

[@ssjz0502]

She is deserving of attention. She appears to be more honest than most people; she defies categorization, and her intuitive sense appears to be rather powerful. I appreciate how she confesses that she, like the rest of us, can't seem to figure out what's causing our problems, and that she, like the rest of us, can't seem to figure out what to do next. She'd undoubtedly despise my politics, and I'd definitely disagree with many of her conclusions, but I appreciate her courage in speaking honestly about topics that are difficult, if not impossible, to discuss with any authority. She's genius, and most importantly she's outside the matrix.

[@UsmanKhan-el1kz]

she is talking about something that a lot of people (in the west) don't have a direct point of reference to experience the drastic change in way of life - from abject poverty to social consternation to physical conflict - between the developed world and non-developed world. she is by luck, by no conscious decision of her own but rather her mother of emigrating from Sri Lank to London... but her actual people, are suffering and dying. she looks brilliant

[@carlosmancilla3171]

she is just amazing. you just can see her soul in her eyes. she is so transparent in her speech. we need more artist like M.I.A.

[@GirlWow007]

I love this girl! So much wisdom. She's a tempest of creativity and insight, so pleased I've discover her.

[@nicolasroqe]

"Internet got divided" among so many great things she talked about, thank you!

[@Heidelager]

she's very nervous, very emotional.... all from the heart. And yet, she keeps it together. Fantastic presentation.

[@Forthright131]

What a roboticized host and some members of the audience. If you listen to her carefully, you can feel what she has to say. M.I.A. is moved with emotion while speaking, simultaneously trying to downplay it enough to express herself in a way where she is outside the collective. She is describing her journey which is one filled with various experiences. She talks about working since 6 years old for bread, war in Shri Lanka, her experiences, wanting to sing, having a mentor who encouraged her individualism, having to adhere to urban and media structure while trying to remain fluid. Fluidly, surfing the shit waves of life to avoid being wiped out. She is creative, intelligent, and down to earth. I really enjoyed seeing this side of her. I love her músic too.

[@derk420x]

@@bdkmv8095western freedom

[@dawoodhmh740]

She’s genius, and most importantly she’s outside the matrix.

[@edwarwick123]

Maya is one of the most important creative Artists alive right now , she has been for some time , people should wake up and listen to her words and watch her wonders X

[@aliendancemusic7003]

This woman is so brave. PROD THE BLOB!

[@sarahcraig7713]

You can head the sadness and anxiety in her voice. Bless her i love her music and her message. One love to you mia

[@torostarship]

such an important talk! I just love and admire M.I.A. SO MUCH!!!! she's so necessary!!! JUSTICE FOR ALL IMMIGRANTS!!!!!!!!!!! URGENTLY!!!!!!!!!!

[@gemmaaboagye9623]

M.I.A is one of my musical influences. She is very very brave to speak out hugs to her . I can see she's very upset

[@coyotestylepro1150]

"Even tho ive became an individual i've always tried to see it in some kind of collective way" -MIA

[@doublediamond9226]

She’s intelligent, real and beautiful, keep going Matangi!

[@l-y-d-s]

"you have to become a blob yourself in order to not be detected by the blob"

[@rochelles6595]

phenomenal human, so grateful for Maya's existence

[@hoibsh21]

Imagine takin a break from my studies at Oxford and walking to Union Hall to watch M.I.A. speak.

[@Elvisism]

You were living my dreams out 😭

[@nmo3148]

She is not a good talker, never has been and it hurt her career. Media made fun of her garbled speech. But in a way she is a refugee tossed around by world events, bombarded by so much, and she expresses herself through her music. A pure artist.

[@volpemarroneveloce5928]

Neither is Elon Musk, but guess who they choose to call a "genius" and "visionary"....

[@kyhxx]

. nod - bt she is not a terrible speaker at all- she is just thorough n ties details to one topic-

[@greenmuso]

She seems like someone trying not to cry throughout most of this

[@robertoclemente5512]

It's crazy to think we're nearly 15 years on from when she first appeared with the Piracy Funds Terrorism mixtape. Because of advances in technology it's almost impossible now to describe how exciting this music was when it first appeared. The politics fueled how hot it was and vice versa, they weren't incompatible. I think what lingers more now are her melodies, the song structures, which are terrific in their own right-- but this music was also about a time and a place, the death and darkness of the Bush years, and for a very long stretch there was no one better.

[@YoungDris1]

she been bae since paper planes came out when I was in the 8th grade .

[@jamizelherrera510]

When that first girl asked that ridiculous badly timed question I TOTALLY AGREE WITH HOW M.I.A JUST PAUSED TO COMPOSE HERSELF AT HOW USELESS HER QUESTION WAS AT THE TIME!!!

[@rkillik]

I think the only thing she's having an issue with is where to start explaining things that take so much time and energy to explain. There is so much context in social justice work and it's not easy to explain it on the spot.

[@kyhxx]

. nod = y she prob found it best to not prep a speech^

[@danteiannetta4658]

People write MIA off so easily these days but she is almost always right. Even if its seems confusing or tinfoil-hatted at the time she says it, 5+ years down the line she is vindicated. She predicted the future with the MAYA album, and in this talk everything she is saying has only gotten more true year after year. I will always listen to what she has to say. I hope in her lifetime she will finally be given her flowers and celebrated for both her musical/creative genius as well as her socio-political analysis and forethought.

[@derk420x]

yasssss!!!

[@derk420x]

her words are always prophetic

[@imeldagarcia608]

Power is knowledge, think outside the matrix

[@4grandma]

lol same. very hopeless. hard to find a way to make money outside of it. hmmm i guess i should get new ideas and research ..

[@mysteryniggadel491]

just keep living on knowing that you live in the matrix make it work for you never forget or youll slip back in

[@yaxl]

release the documentary already

[@Peabody6517]

please!

[@cristoburn4778]

Jura von Aldeburgh Yesssss

[@Glichyboy]

Yaxley The documentary is going to be released in 2018. she is previewing it at a festival. Follow M.i.a on twitter lr instagram to remain updated on ifnormation about it.

[@tshds5390]

likeee

[@likeitornotbut5900]

At first i just wanted to be that red chair and have her sit on me and hug me but after listening to her talk and express her inner thoughts now I realize Maya is a very complex and special person that deserves to be taken VERY seriously!

[@alimackenzie2168]

I worked with a Tamil. He was obviously scarred. Lovely bloke.

[@simontaylor8990]

amazingly boring questions for such an interesting and exciting person - what happend Oxford ? All so serious !! FLy like paper get high like planes ....

[@streetsmart43]

She's a strong strong woman...she's choosing words well. I love her

[@jamesfarrell8339]

Articulate Intelligent Beautiful Great artist I love that she gives a voice to the voiceless. Rock on.

[@ChristopherFoderinghamGarraway]

peep how the first serious question about MIA's actual contribution as an artist came from the black girl? I must say I have a lot of respect for MIA for being so intimately candid about her perspective with these students

[@sambillington2605]

The questions from this audience - jesus!! MIA is articulate and on point and tries to discuss some really relevant and poignant topics and they come back with questions that 12 year olds would ask - also the host seems like he has had a charisma bypass.

[@elizabethmshaie2243]

STOP BLASPHEMING!!!!!!! Leave JESUS CHRIST out of your post!!!!! Replace it with your own name. It’s a sacred name. Or replace it with Mohammed. I DARE you!!!!! Good grief.

[@pedrovidal1293]

shes so beautiful

[@sushmita9040]

Really wan't to know what her I.Q is. Amazingly observant and philosophical. Not everybody analyzes and comprehends a situation like she does.

[@KlassicNoob]

She's too ahead of our time

[@dhananjayrele6330]

I can see a lot of low IQ small talk and fillers in the future if that is the case...

[@mockidyy]

Dhananjay Rele explain

[@ninjaman2254]

I have to say she is stunning 😍

[@Brandin-James]

So much respect for you M.I.A keep fighting. You can do this.

[@jackiebest597]

that whole blob thing is terrifying

[@Dingalingring]

Lol. 😃

[@realworldhistory266]

I'm glad to see you understand the blob

[@4thquarter214]

What

[@wasyaziz9141]

I love MIA. She's such a inspiration.

[@ramonecloyd5189]

M.I.A She's a very strong person

[@thundergun933]

Don't forget her sister Tahani. She's not a brilliant talented artist but she is an under rated philanthropist.

[@vidasagharlou5625]

MIA YOU ARE ONE AWAKE BEING

[@jammyd33]

I could listen to M.I.A forever.. but lol the funniest host in the world to put with M.I.A. It's like upper middle class churchgoer who maintains a subscription to a human rights journal meets frontline refugee artist rapper with style who's seen more shit than he'll ever see in his life

[@AnaM-qn5le]

Am I the only one who’s over this interviewer??? I’ve seen him in other videos and he just seems so snobbish with all his one worded replies and attitude. Ugh.

[@rahulkemp8347]

IS IT COZ HE IZ CHINEZE?

[@Jonas-dc3gb]

Same. I´m guessing his "ego" might´ve been hurt when she was honest about his question being crap.

[@amberkrill2788]

she is a good person .

[@laughinjackdaviscrawford5234]

She looked like she was genuinely about to cry at some points whilst talking about being a refugee. That was powerful

[@pablorocha3420]

The fact that some people are talking shit about her only serves as a proof to the point she made in the final responses.

[@yaxl]

Swaggistan is a state of mind

[@realworldhistory266]

Wow I like her but after watching this I think I might be in love with her.

[@ajmartix2903]

M.I.A need to do more interviews because she show another side of the industry the pure and raw caliber that they really do have over the world and we need to start being more proactive in pay attention to the real world and stop and think for our self's about whats going on around us. LOVE YOU M.I.A

[@MrMikkyn]

I love that she cares less about her career and more about social justice and activism.

[@kyhxx]

. nod -

[@samuellong6984]

I learn more and more about her everyday and love tuning into these clips to get more info about the refugee part of her life and how arular pieced together some songs lyrics based on that time. I feel smarter Everytime I hear her out!😍🔥💃🏽🥇🏆🥂

[@salhutch5969]

She did warn us and a lot of shit is happening now. Thank you Maya.

[@rwheels6471]

ive known that paper planes song for a long while now, but the more of her music and now that im seeing what shes actually about the more impressed i am with her.

[@vikkisnow5672]

Could you please add subs to all Q&A videos? English is my second language, but I love this channel.

[@dylani1992]

I Love Youuuuu M.I.A. Youuuuu are so amazing Girl So beautiful inside and out. So genuine so Raw God Bless!! I can’t watch this without tearing up. #TamilRefugee #IUnderstandYourPain

[@samuellong6984]

So that’s where swagistan came from! 😏🏆awesome speech my dear MIA😍🏆💃🏽🥂🥇I’m crying just remembering how much I love this woman! Her first 5 albums are my primary source of music

[@mjjbskfanatic]

She always looks like she's seconds away from crying. There's so much pain there. I feel like I wanna help her, but I wouldn't know how.

[@legowtham]

Just watch her documentary Matangi/Maya/M.I.A, shit hit me hard. She's the GOAT!!!

[@maimoonaasghar4368]

Loved that

[@JordanCann]

She's pretty conscience to be a music artist

[@jacobgonzalez4124]

it's hard to follow what she's saying, but there is no so much depth in it. The "blob" concept is one of them.

[@kaliarular6360]

M.I.A You Make Your Sister Proud.

[@HelloMyNamelsBanana]

Shes ahead of her time. Too underrated. We don't deserve her.

[@MrBootydoo1]

This is a real women..so beautiful and intelligent it's somewhat amazing..geez

[@d3a1990]

Amazing answers. Truthful and honest, which is a rare commodity these days. Maya's the real deal.

[@mattcastro8052]

She dropping some hidden gems

[@mamadebj]

Heartfelt conversation that so many can relate to. Thanks, MIA. You are loved. Respect!♥️

[@YasminYoruba]

If she learns how to publicly speak she would see a big change and shift in her work. She would be able to really get in touch with the general public and make difference 😊❤ I love her so much though and she inspires me with my attempts to change the world 🙏🏽

[@mysteryniggadel491]

the blob i feel you M.I.A YOU HAVE TO CODE YOUR WORDS WITHOUT SOUNDING CRAZY TO ALL IN THE COMMENTS WHO UNSERSTAND WHATS SHE TRYIN TO SAY GIOOD FOR YOU