True to her father’s roots as a Tamil Tiger, M.I.A. greeted fans with a video of an impassioned Asian man urging the destruction of the government. Then the headliner stormed on with the bravado of a young Muhammad Ali.
Donning a shiny silver boxing hoodie, the firebrand also known as Maya Arulpragasam kick-started her set with “Bamboo Banga.” Backing her up vocally were two women that looked like they’d strolled in from a Salt-N-Pepa reunion show and a nondescript male DJ that too eagerly infused each song with thundering sound effects.
Though some key songs such as Arular‘s “10 Dollar” were abbreviated, the energy M.I.A. exuded could be bottled and sold as a renewable power source. Whether she was leaping upon the speakers or writhing rapturously while spitting political rhymes, the artist never slowed down.
A small army of her ebullient fans filtered onto the stage for “Bird Flu,” personifying the song’s animalistic spirit. The sweat of hedonism was a baptism in the church of M.I.A. for the entire audience.
The only unsure moments arose when Arulpragasam catered to Western hip-hop clichés. A “wave your hands from side to side” tactic made her tread creative water, and her fly girls’ interruptions were grating. M.I.A. shone brightest when she exaggerated her worldliness. Speckled with a Liberian lilt, an Indian grace, and an Ibizan élan, her style is a veritable United Nations of sound — one she needn’t compromise.
– Melissa Bobbitt
M.I.A.: www.miauk.com
Interscope Records: www.interscope.com