M.I.A: 'Paper Planes'

Released on Monday, Oct 13 2008

Published Wednesday, Oct 1 2008, 13:28 BST | By Nick Levine | 12 comments

The trendy set have loved M.I.A - a British rapper of Sri Lankan origin whose parents know her as Maya Arulpragasam - since her genre-busting 2005 debut, Arular. But now, all of a sudden, she seems to be crossing over into the mainstream, with 'Paper Planes' cracking the US top five after being used in the Pineapple Express trailer.

Built around a sample from The Clash's 'Straight To Hell', with lyrics that satirise US immigration's perception of visa-seeking foreigners, this hazy, lilting rap cut is one of the year's most unlikely smashes. The chorus features gun shots, the Ker-ching! of a cash register and a choir of children singing: "All I wanna do is take your money." Who says Americans don't get irony?

> Click here to watch the 'Paper Planes' video

More: M.I.A, Music

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12 Comments

Your Responses

shawn, on June 18th, 2011
Actually, the chorus goes "All I wanna do is BANG (x4) and a BOOM-CHING take your money."

Jayla, Hollister, KC, on October 27th, 2008
this song is majjjoor dope and M.I.A chose a puf'fect name it fits her very well and i love her. She is very pretty also..

Alan, Cork, on October 14th, 2008
Love this song!

Libby, on October 10th, 2008
At first i wasnt sure on this song, but its really grown on me! An amazing, upbeat and fun song. Love it!

Chris, Rotherham, on October 5th, 2008
M.I.A. track is hot but not lyrically breaking any new ground. also it got to the U.S. number 5 because Kanye West sampled it on T.I.'s track 'Swagga Like Us'

Ste, Middlesbrough, on October 5th, 2008
It's a great song. Her songs are about real subjects, mainly politics and third world issues. You don't need to be a perfect single to make good music.

Amy, Coventry, on October 5th, 2008
I love M.I.A.!

Lily, on October 5th, 2008
this fantastic.............. i think not this song has no meaning no substance...... he bascially about nothing. she can't rap or sing and has no talent what so ever. if she can get a record deal and put rubbbish like this out and get people buy it then hey i can do just the same. worse song of the decade.

Cherry, London, on October 4th, 2008
Its fantastic!

Jennifer, Belfast, on October 2nd, 2008
So irritating! Real music, please!

Carl, Manchester, on October 2nd, 2008
I've loved M.I.A. since Arular, but Kala is just a different story! It is amazing, and Paper Planes has always been a stand out track. It's unfortunate that it's taken a film advert to get the song the popularity it deserves but I'm glad it's finally hitting the charts!

Kevin, Chigwell, on October 1st, 2008
she looks like konnie huq out on the booze!