Mathangi Arulpragasam, known as Maya and professionally as MIA, is a British singer, rapper, songwriter, record producer, and activist. Born in London to Sri Lankan Tamil parents, her early life was shaped by the Sri Lankan Civil War and displacement, experiences that greatly influenced her artistic work. MIA first gained recognition in the early 2000s through the Internet and underground releases like Sunshowers and Galang. Her debut albums, Arular and Kala, fused hip hop, electronic, and global sounds, earning widespread critical acclaim. The hit single Paper Planes from Kala became an international success, reaching the top five of the US charts and receiving a Grammy nomination. Later albums such as Maya, Matangi, AIM, and Mata continued to showcase her experimental style, with tracks like Born Free and Bad Girls drawing attention for both their music and provocative visuals. Throughout her career, MIA has been recognized for her innovative approach and boundary-pushing themes. She has received multiple awards, including MTV Video Music Awards and ASCAP honors, and made history as the first person of South Asian descent to be nominated for an Academy Award and a Grammy in the same year. Widely noted as an influential force in 21st-century music, MIA was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2019 for her contributions to music.