If you know hip-hop then you know Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam. Ahem…that’s M.I.A. for short, the artist who contributed to recent hip-hop anthems and re-mixes of “Swagger Like Us” and “Paper Planes.” Every one from 50 Cent, Jim Jones, Weezy and Jay-Z have used her tunes recently but it’s nice to see the love she is getting outside of the hip-hop realm.
In the critically acclaimed (and Oscar buzzin’) movie Slumdog Millionaire, M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” is prominently featured in the film and in the soundtrack as well. Movie was filmed in India and even features the music of a famous Indian rapper by the name of Blaaze. Hip-hop is global my friends! Indian pop culture continues to embrace American hip-hop and even represents with Snoop. (Source).
Slumdog Millionaire is as acerbic as it is clear-eyed about the brutal power dynamics in modern-day Mumbai. But, at the same time, what makes it so warming and what has been inspiring audiences all across the world to cheer at its rousing ending.