The Guardian catches up with M.I.A., who is living in London, and preparing to release a new album called Matangi. In the interview we discover quite a bit has happened for M.I.A. personally since she was last in the news in a big way (aka catching hell from the NFL), starting with her succcess in winning custody of her son after what sounds like a rough battle with her ex-husband, Benjamin Bronfman. The event is behind her, however, and she’s in a relationship and seems to be in as peaceful a place in her life as she’s ever been. Well, less combative anyway.
Below are some of our favorite quotes from the story:
“In America, it’s not the mother who has the say. The legal system sides with money. It doesn’t side with truth, it sides with who has the best presentation of truth. I guess it was a lesson I had to learn. So you just had to be really good at lying. And I’m not very good at lying. I just can’t be bothered.” –On battling her ex for custody of her son, Ikhyd
“I’m not going to go against the billionaire with my money. Ultimately, I’m a working mum. I don’t have parents who have tons of money who can fund my shit for 20 years.” –On the challenges of winning custody of her son
I’m in a relationship and have been for some time, and I’m happy.” In fact. I’m in a state of nirvana.” –On dating life post marriage
“We don’t come from a culture where we have to have group therapy. It’s just a very dysfunctional modern family. That’s what we are.” –On her estranged relationship with her father
“Because Madonna is true to Madonna. She always said she was a material girl.” –On Madonna telling her “you spend it” when you have it all
“It’s a spectacle. “I’m not talking about anyone else.” –On Miley Cyrus and the twerking pheonomenom
“I was thinking of wearing a burqa and auditioning. They’d give me a second go, because I’d be in a burqa and they’d be politically correct. Then I would get kicked off.” –On considering auditioning for X Factor
“No, I don’t consider myself a musician. I’m an artist.” –On whether or not she considers herself a good singer or a musician
Image above shows the let list for M.I.A. album, which is set to launch on November 4th.
