Thoroughly on the comeback trail, M.I.A. has released the visual for her frenetic dance single “POWA.” Directed by the U.K. based performer, the clip shows M.I.A. lying in the back of a flower-filled pick up truck and also shot from a distance against awesome natural backdrops. There’s also a ton of footage dedicated to on a line of male dancers who perform synchronized dance moves. It’s vintage M.I.A. in that it’s equal parts artful and just plain weird and presents a more global perspective on the world, as always providing a refreshing perspective in comparison with typical pop cultural fare.
In the single, M.I.A. states, “I’m not Rihanna, I’m not Madonna, I’m not Mariah or Ariana. I’m been around in this world causing drama. The real spice girl. Hot girl power.”
As part of her coming out party, it’s been announced that M.I.A. will curate London’s Meltdown Festival, which takes place from June 9th to 19th. Each year, a different individual is chosen to put together musicians for the event. In 2016, Guy Garvey was the head curator in charge and the year prior, it was David Byrne.
Commenting on her plan for the event, she said, “For me, this Meltdown will be about putting on a musical week that shows different types of music which have inspired each other to exist. Genres that support other genres, redefining the concept of a melting pot.”
#MIAPOWA lyricx pic.twitter.com/d6dtWEURFq
— M.I.A P.O.W.A (@MIAuniverse) February 7, 2017
