The rapper M.I.A. has never been one to shy away from controversy or censor herself. However, her recent decision to openly endorse Trump as the 47th President of the United States might be among her most hot-headed, poor choices yet.
The multi-pronged talent that is M.I.A. defined the sonic scape for (most of us) Millennials. Her discography spans literal decades, countless god-tier producers, and lyrics that will forever exist in the deep folds of our minds — “I fly like paper, get high like planes.”
But time has turned the 49-year-old “Paper Planes” rapper into something of a radicalized radical. From once defyingly standing up against mass deportations and supporting immigrant naturalization rights to becoming a fervent anti-vaxxer and 5G conspiracy theorizer, M.I.A. has fallen from the graces of many. I count myself among the many.
The rapper was scheduled to perform at Portola, the burgeoning, two-day-long San Francisco electronic music festival now in its third year, back in 2021, but pulled out at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances. 2022 saw her name unmentioned on the artist’s lineup. 2023, however, saw M.I.A. back on the roster … though not before she accidentally leaked the entire lineup before it was initially announced.
Hooray, we were finally going to get our M.I.A. moment one year after SF’s “Nellysance.” I was excited. The collective was excited. We were all rooting for her.
But an unsurprising, but still unshakable, endorsement came from the rapper Friday, August 23rd: Her support of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States.
The internet approval came just hours after Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Jr. announced he’d drop out of the 2024 presidential race. (The decision to do so was written on the wall as support for the Independent candidate has sunk like a lake stone since Harris announced her bid for the Presidency amid President Biden’s withdrawal from the race.) Adding insult to injury, all while sullying his good name, RFK Jr. quickly endorsed Trump after stepping out of the race.
Without skipping a beat or scroll of a screen, M.I.A. quickly followed, citing RFK Jr.’s endorsement as inspiration, and retweeting RFK Jr.’s address.
“Trump is going to ride America through the most challenging 4 years of pulling out weed,” she posted on X, before bringing religious anointment into the mix. “And RFK will inherit America when God is ready to replant and rebuild it righteously.”
That pontification gives a big “Sure, Jan” energy. And one we hope we never see to fruition.
Many comments left on the post by X users denounced her decision, some bolstering their love for the artist — you’re one of my all-time favorite rappers who is criminally underrated” — while criticizing her endorsement — but [endorsing Trump] ain’t it.”
When M.I.A. does take the stage at Pier 80, can someone please hold up a sign that reintroduces some sense back into her? I’ll hold your iPhone 13 and buy you a drink.
Feature Image: Courtesy of Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.
