M.I.A. signs with Roc Nation

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In 2007, M.I.A. released her hit single, “Paper Planes,” which went unnoticed until a year and a half after its release. M.I.A., for a brief period of time, could have given Rihanna a run for her money, as hip hop soon embraced the alternative singer. She appeared on the hook for the 2008 posse cut, “Swagga Like Us,” which featured Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and T.I.

Initially, “Swagga Like Us” was the lead single from Jay-Z’s The Blueprint 3 and M.I.A. was also included on the then-second single, “Brooklyn, Go Hard.” However, M.I.A. took time away from the game at the peak of her career. Discovering she was pregnant, M.I.A. had her baby and spent time with her, meanwhile Jay-Z delayed The Blueprint 3 for a year.

M.I.A. has made her comeback in 2012, performing alongside Madonna and Nicki Minaj at the Super Bowl, earlier this year. Despite her controversial actions during the performance, M.I.A. has remained popular. From the beginning, Jay-Z saw something in her and he has now added her to his growing roster at Roc Nation. M.I.A. has a new album, Matangi, due for a fall 2012 release.