Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin M.I.A.
Oct 8, 2025
M.I.A., a British-Sri Lankan artist known for her genre-blending music and activism, dives deep into her creative journey. She shares how a Caribbean island inspired her iconic track 'Galang' and connects her art and documentaries to her songwriting. Discussing her political roots, she reflects on the impact of growing up amid conflict in Sri Lanka. M.I.A. also explores her ventures into fashion with tech-protective clothing, balancing style with activism, and navigating the complexities of an artist's voice in today’s world.
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From Documentary To Paintings
- M.I.A. planned to make a documentary about the Sri Lankan war but turned photos into paintings when the commission fell through.
- Showing those paintings led to her first break in the art world and eventually to traveling where music overtook painting.
How Galang Was Born
- M.I.A. wrote the Galang beat after dancing in St. Vincent and noticing she clapped a counter rhythm in church.
- She converted that bodily rhythm into a restrained machine pattern and wrote the song quickly with friends.
Discover Your Voice By Playing
- M.I.A. learned to use her voice as an instrument by recording on primitive gear and experimenting loudly and quietly.
- Treating voice discovery as play freed her from copying others and shaped her songwriting.