M.I.A. accuses Madonna, Beyoncé and Rihanna of ‘stealing’ her sound
By Will Stroude
M.I.A. has launched a scathing attack at pop icons Madonna, Beyoncé and Rihanna, accusing them of copying her sound without offering any payment in an interview with Q Magazine.
The ‘Paper Planes’ singer, who previously worked with Madonna on 2012 single ‘Give Me All Your Luvin’, didn’t hold back when it came discussing her influence on some of the world’s biggest musical stars.
“I’m fine with Madonna or Beyoncé or Rihanna being ‘inspired’ by my work”, she told the publication. “But I would like them to then go, ‘Yeah, this immigrant who came out of nowhere influenced us, so maybe not all of them are f**king terrible.”
The 41-year-old continued: “They don’t even think like that. They go ‘Yeah, maybe me stealing the stuff says she’s all right. She should be thankful we’re stealing it’.
“But sometimes you just think, ‘Fuck, I have to pay some bills,’ you know?'”
British-born M.I.A, who grew up in Sri Lanka, went on to suggest that Beyoncé’s route to international stardom was easy, adding: “Beyoncé comes from the school of Michael Jackson-ness. Where the family built an entire world to support you. From when you were a child. I never had that luxury.”
“I’ve you’re working class, music doesn’t belong to you like it used to – it would be really hard for Oasis to happen now.”
She added: “I’m just fodder. A template for pop stars to create more content. We constantly feed the top of the pyramid.”
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