L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — The most gobsmacking five seconds in a music video in 2010 happens at 6:51 in M.I.A.’s infamously gruesome clip for “Born Free.” If you’ve seen it, you know the moment -- a crew of young redheads is forced onto a... more info

Pitchfork — Like M.I.A., Joanna Newsom isn't buying into the Lady Gaga hype. In a recent article in The Guardian, the indie singer-songwriter-harpist had some choice words for the world's most fashion-forward pop star: "I'm mystified by the laziness of people lo... more info

NME - The Daily Download — Popping his Daily Download cherry today is Brighton-via-Hokkaido electronica prodigy Teej. The digital tearaway eloped to Japan to create his new four-track ‘Thirst EP’ which is being offered free by tastemaker label Blood & Biscuits (the people ... more info

Tastes Like Caramel — After a last-minute 2AM set by Delorean at Coco 66 a few weeks ago, I’ve come to realize that Coco is totally unpredictable. Last night’s show no exception. MNDR had to drop off of the line-up to grab a once in a lifetime opportunity to open up f... more info

Brooklyn Vegan — Sleigh Bells & M.I.A. (I think) @ Coco66 on 5/7 (actually 5/8) (Seva Granik) As if the hype wasn't through the roof enough, M.I.A. helped popularize the act her label co-signed (is that the right term?) a little bit more... more info

Idolator — Yesterday we pitted Kelly Rowland’s cover for “Commander” against Rihanna’s “Te Amo” and M.I.A.’s “XXXO” sleeves in our first ever single art diva-off. And in a landslide victory, Idolator readers have chosen Commander Rowland’s i... more info

All About Jazz — As proven on this blog and many others last week, music videos like M.I.A.'s violent tale of ginger genocide are one of the few elements of the music business that still has the power to stir conversation. In an article this week, New York Magazin... more info

Pitchfork - Forkcast — Welsh drum'n'bass producer High Contrast remixed M.I.A.'s "Born Free" and then Diplo put the remix on his label Mad Decent's blog and now we're bringing it to you. The redo isn't too crazy, with some siren noises and goofball, surf-y synths added ... more info

Idolator — Kelly Rowland, whose upcoming solo album is due out September 14, might think she’s in charge, but her “Commander” single cover wasn’t the only artwork to arrive on the scene in recent days. Both M.I.A. and Rihanna unveiled their own single s... more info

Pitchfork — MP3: M.I.A.: "Born Free" (HighContrastRMX) Welsh drum'n'bass producer High Contrast remixed M.I.A.'s "Born Free" and then Diplo put the remix on his label Mad Decent's blog and now we're bringing it to you. The redo isn't too revolutionary, with... more info