M.I.A.’s Descent into Conspiracy Theories and Controversy

British rapper M.I.A. (Mathangi Arulpragasam), once celebrated for her politically charged music and distinctive aesthetic, has increasingly embraced conspiracy theories and far-right views. On May 2, 2026, during a concert in Dallas, she claimed she was canceled for being a Black Republican voter and suggested her song “Illygirl” could not be performed because audience members might be undocumented. The crowd booed. She later attempted to clarify but was dropped from Kid Cudi’s North American tour. Her shift began in 2020 when she promoted anti-vaccine and 5G microchip theories. In 2022 she defended Alex Jones, and in 2023 she converted to Christianity, suggesting Italy return Saint Thomas’s relics to India. In 2024 she launched Ohmni, an “anti-surveillance” clothing line featuring aluminum hats and fertility-protecting boxers. Her latest album, M.I.7 (April 2026), is a Christian-themed work that divided critics—Pitchfork’s Chal Ravens praised its production, while Anthony Fantano called it far below her talent. Fantano lamented that her controversial views overshadow her musical legacy, noting she pioneered loud, experimental pop in the late 2000s.