The True Meaning Behind PAPER PLANES

A music + talk show where I interview artists about their music and tracks handpicked by them.

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Back in 2008, M.I.A released Paper Planes. A massive hit, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 -- giving the artist her first top ten single, a Grammy nomination and an Oscar nod. It went Platinum in Canada, the US and the UK and was featured in promoting films like Pineapple Express and Slumdog Millionaire.

But the track saw M.I.A. accused of glorifying violence, criminality and advocating terrorism. Because behind the downtempo beats, the breezy melody and sample-filled choruses lies some heavier history.

Let’s take a look at THE TRUE MEANING BEHIND PAPER PLANES.

This video is sponsored by CuriosityStream
Written, voiced and edited by Frank Furtado
#Middle8 #PaperPlanes

[Middle]

Listen to the PlayM8 Podcast:
PlayM8Podcast.com

[spainman]

I swear Paper Planes felt like the dopest song I had ever heard at that time.

[cadehdmi]

Diplo went CRAZY on the paper planes beat. Top tier

[needBycRidezzz]

I swear, M.I.A looks different with every photo I see of her

[TypicalTip]

as someone in an immigrant family who is still struggling to not get deported, this song holds a special place to my heart

[sheltertwo]

MIA is so dope. I firmly believe that if she’d broken out in 2020, her work would be better received by westerners. They weren’t ready for her greatness.

[romilrh]

Did MIA seriously get criticized for glorifying violence? On a hip hop record?

[batmanwayne]

Kanye samples her line “Swagga like us” from this song for Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, & T. I.

[dumpsterfornicia]

she is like one of the most underrated artists ever. god she is so cool

[kassandrakid]

Y’all remember when she was performing right before she was about to give birth in that polkadot outfit? THAT was badass.

[GueriliaWOT]

I miss MIA. She's one hell of an artist. Her music inspired me so many times. she showed the world that there is so many cultures and perspectives

[jamesprosser]

We had MIA at our studio not too long back, she is an absolulte gem and a v nice person. I'm glad she's still getting the recognition she deserves.

[MichaelDanger]

I can’t get over how good the animations in this are. Top notch.

[PPYT]

She's such an inspiration for us Sri Lankan Tamils, the fact that she brought some international attention to our struggle is already amazing, and they way she carried herself and her music were just top notch. All time talent for sure

[austinraphael]

One of the most beautiful things about MIA's album is that 'Kala' based on how you pronounce it can mean "art" or "black/brown"

[maxhydekyle]

I still have Paper Planes on my driving playlist. It's so damn catchy.

[PBJ]

I remember when M.I.A flipped the bird during her super bowl performance.

[deltalotl]

I gotta give Middle8 a lot of credit, most of the music discussed in these videos have really expanded my music taste and have become some my favorite bands. King Gizzard would still be under my radar if not for these videos, and they’re my favorite band of all time

[maxthereof]

Not to mention shes a college grad in Journalism from a British university, makes her own clothes, and created most of her own beats from her first album from a beat box she acquired. I saw her performing in Houston in the late 2000s, a great show. Rye Rye opened... another underrated female artist.

[KatrinaMidgette]

I’ve always found her dope AF and was upset that she was treated like that