M.I.A. SIGNS WORLDWIDE PUBLISHING DEAL WITH BMG

21 November 2014 - Press release

BMG Chrysalis UK is delighted to announce that M.I.A. – one of the world’s most influential artists – has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing deal with the company.

The agreement covers future compositions by the Grammy- and Oscar-nominated artist, named by Time magazine as one of the world’s most influential people.

Born in Hounslow, London, but raised partly in northern Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu, India, M.I.A. first gained prominence as a visual artist and filmmaker before releasing her first single ‘Galang’ in 2003 and signing to XL Recordings in 2004. Her first album, Arular, was released to worldwide critical claim in 2005. Sales success followed with 2007’s Kala, which spawned the hits ‘Boyz’ and ‘Paper Planes’. Her third album, Maya, became her highest-charting album internationally. Trailed by the hit ‘Bad Girls’, album four, Matangi, appeared in November 2013.

As well as a recording artist M.I.A. is renowned as a fashion leader, political activist and philanthropist. As a songwriter, she has written with artists such as Madonna, Nicki Minaj and Christina Aguilera.

BMG Chrysalis UK EVP Alexi Cory-Smith said, “This is truly a marquee signing. M.I.A. is one of the great leaders and influencers and innovators in contemporary popular culture. We are extremely pleased that she has chosen BMG to represent her future work.”