P.O.W.A.

Album: not on an album (2017)
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Songfacts®:

  • M.I.A. released the lyrics to this song, along with a 10-second sample, on Twitter February 7, 2017. The lyrics find her asserting her rebel cred; the FBI and fascists are still on her case, but it doesn't faze her:

    Throw up my hands
    Say this is people power
    Throw up my finger and
    I'm taking on the Tower


    M.I.A. famously threw up her middle finger when she performed at the 2012 Super Bowl.
  • At one stage M.I.A. appears to be taking aim at some of her fellow female singers:

    I'm not Rihanna
    I'm not Madonna
    I'm not Mariah
    Or Ariana
    I've been around in this world causing drama
    The real spice girl, hot girl power


    M.I.A. denied that she is dissing pop stars like Rihanna, Madonna, Mariah Carey or Ariana Grande. Instead she is claiming her uniqueness as a provocative artist in a political way. The rapper tweeted: "This is not a dis, its just not an 'alternative fact'. Difference is good".
  • M.I.A. chops up and loops for this song part of The Marcels' classic 1961 doo-wop rendition of "Blue Moon."

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