Aaron Grech January 14th, 2020 - 7:58 PM
Musical artis M.I.A. became a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) this morning, during the annual Queen’s Birthday Honours at Buckingham Palace in London. The performer, who’s birth name is Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam received the royal honor from Prince William. According to the Crown Chronicles, this title is “warded for an outstanding achievement or service to the community.” and officially allows a member to use MBE at the end of their name.
M.I.A. has released a total of five studio albums since beginning her career back in the year 2000. Her first two projects, Arular and Kala achieved massive critical and commercial success, and was praised for their unique blends of hip hop, dance music and world music along with her political lyricism. As the daughter of Sri Lankan immigrants, M.I.A. spent part of her adolescence in the nation and the UK, where her mother made a modest income.
“Today I’m accepting this in honour for my mother who worked for minimum wage to give us a better life,” she wrote. on social media “As a working class first generation immigrant it’s great to be recognised for my contribution. Having freedom to speak my truth and to do it through music has helped me speak for those who do not have those privileges. I will continue [to] fight for those who are silenced or persecuted by others.”
She has recently performed at a protest in support of Julian Assange outside the Home Office in the UK. Back in 2018 she released a music video for the track “Reload.”
