Project : BollyHood

The release of M.I.A’s KALA has everyone’s heart beating at an incredible speed. Not a single person, whether they are hardcore clubbers from New York or cheap labor living in mud villages in Libya, can resist her mind-boggling mix of music.

Maya Arulpragasam a.k.a M.I.A has traveled the globe to record her sophomore album, Kala, but instead of heading to posh localities and state-of-the-art studios, she’s landed in places like war-torn Libya, spent time with Indian drummers, Trinidad musicians and Aboriginals. All this has resulted in an album with a third world perspective – just like the Black Eyed Peas did with ‘Where is the love?’

Kala is a funky mix of reggae-rap-electro-grime-tamil beats forming a eclectic, fresh striking sound! Her music reflects the oppression on the poor, raps about poverty and references warlords. However, she isn’t as blatantly political as she was on Arular.

The album offers a plethora of sounds from gunshots to the aboriginal didgeridoo, the Indian bansuri, heavy bass lines, glass cracks, very funny sounding lyrics and some never heard before effects! Everything on this compilation is unique. She started of the album with Bamboo Banger, a track with some rowdy drumming and disgusting bass lines! Tracks to watch out for include smashes BirdFlu, Boyz, Jimmy and XR2 which have promoted every radio stations status to ELITE. A track you definitely DON’T want to miss is Mango Pickle Down River with The Wilcannia Mob, it’s a crazy track with a didgeridoo instrumental!

She shook Glastonbury (a 3 day music fest in the UK where only the best artists showcasing their music) with Hustle featuring Afrikan Boy. A chance to work with super producer Timbaland has produced Come Around (which includes a sample of Shamur’s Let the Music Play). Most of her songs are the types you would hear at a parade or massive gig, and just to clarify any confusions, her vibe is like Missy Elliot’s. You feeling’ it now?

So, if your looking for something completely off this planet, something to dance wildly too or loose your head bobbing it soo hard, KALA is the ting! Period.

There is no doubt that with the release of Kala, M.I.A is just millimeters away from hitting the mainstream, however, she has already dented the rap scene in USA.

Kala is in stored NOW! So get your copy! A definitely recommended album!