M.I.A. Says Questions Of “Cultural Appropriation” Have Held Up New Video

“I’ve been told I can’t put out a video because it’s shot in Africa,” she says.

May 19, 2015

M.I.A. took to Twitter yesterday to critique an unnamed somebody—perhaps her label?—who she claims is preventing her from releasing a new video that was filmed Africa's Ivory Coast. The given reason? Concerns that it will be met by cries of "cultural appropriation."

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M.I.A.'s videos have been the cause of controversy before: her violent "Born Free" clip caused a stir when it was released back in 2010. It seems like this is a lose-lose situation for the label though. If M.I.A. wants to put out the video, she'll probably figure out a way to do so.

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Read FADER's interview with the singer here.

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Lead Image: Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images

M.I.A. Says Questions Of “Cultural Appropriation” Have Held Up New Video