M.I.A. Name-Drops Rihanna, Madonna, Mariah and Ariana on New Single 'P.O.W.A.'
2/8/2017 by Lars Brandle
M.I.A. is no stranger to drama. The British artist has had beefs with everyone from Justin Bieber to Lady Gaga, there was a public standoff with Interscope, she flipped the bird while performing with Madonna and Nicki Minaj at the 2012 Super Bowl, and there were problems securing a U.S. visa.
She’s set to return with the politically-charged new song “P.O.W.A.,” in which she lets fly with some unflattering namechecks for pop’s biggest stars.
The rapper teased her latest take-no-crap track “P.O.W.A.” with a 10-second audio clip and its lyric sheet. It’s loaded with anti-authority bravado (“Throw up my finger and I’m taking on the Tower"), persecution complex (“I’m not your enemy, FBI checking me”), wicked wordplay (“Super-kala fascist, racist, espi-ala-tazors /Posers with the cases /They better not erase us /Betta come face us)” and her customary venom for anyone that’s ticking her off.
Add Rihanna, Madonna, Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande to that list. “I’m not Rihanna, I’m not Madonna, I’m not Mariah, or Ariana/I’ve been around in this world causing drama/The real spice girl, hot girl power,” she raps.
Check out the teaser and full lyrics below.
#MIAPOWA lyricx pic.twitter.com/d6dtWEURFq
— M.I.A P.O.W.A (@MIAuniverse) February 7, 2017
#POWA pic.twitter.com/y35quP8pHx
— M.I.A P.O.W.A (@MIAuniverse) February 7, 2017