M.I.A. is, well, MIA due to visa troubles while entering US

Xeni Jardin 9:09 pm Wed Mar 16, 2005

Following up on last week's post about the Sri Lankan sensation who plays bongo with her lingo, Boing Boing reader Pablos says: "M.I.A. was scheduled to perform at Chop Suey in Seattle tonight. Apparently she is having some kind of Visa trouble and her show has been cancelled. "

Some speculate the incident may relate to her father's affiliation with the Tamil Tigers, a Sri Lankan rebel group designated as a terrorist organization by the US. No news on her site or newsfeeds yet, but she's also scheduled to play at SXSW this week.

See also this extensive Pitchfork interview with Ms. Maya Arulpragasam. It says, among other things, that "bloggers love her." Link (thanks john martin and High-C)

Previously: MIA for intergalactic overlord

Update: Reader Jon Mooneyham says,

I have a little inside skinny on M.I.A.'s progress – a friend of mine named Dylan is running sound for her tour. He's flying in to Dallas RIGHT NOW to meet up with M.I.A. – her visa issues are apparently resolved – and make certain she gets through Customs. Then they'll hop a flight to Austin so she can make her date at Elysium & proceed with the tour.

W00t! Her album launches this week in the States, too. See also this feature that aired today on NPR's "Day to Day," a show to which I contribute. Link to M.I.A: Activism with a DIY Hip-Hop Beat by D2D's music critic Christian Bordal

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