Her years as a wannabe served her well when she developed her bankable persona in the early 2000s–her hunger for fame was a weird part of her allure. The ground for Arular was seeded by a fabulous, if stupidly titled 2004 mixtape, Piracy Funds Terrorism. 

 Her years as a wannabe served her well when she developed her bankable persona in the early 2000s–her hunger for fame was a weird part of her allure. The ground for Arular was seeded by a fabulous, if stupidly titled 2004 mixtape, Piracy Funds Terrorism. 

 Arular made good on Piracy's promise. Diplo's beats were cutting-edge, but they also sounded like the kind of thing any kid with web access and a good ear could cook up on his laptop, a nice democratic touch that subverted M.I.A.'s intimidating coolness. 

 Arular made good on Piracy's promise. Diplo's beats were cutting-edge, but they also sounded like the kind of thing any kid with web access and a good ear could cook up on his laptop, a nice democratic touch that subverted M.I.A.'s intimidating coolness. 

 Kala was supposed to be co-produced by Timbaland, foretelling a possible move into Missy Elliott territory. His contribution ended up being minimal, but Kala was still a huge artistic leap, proving M.I.A. was more than a one-trick pony. 

 Kala was supposed to be co-produced by Timbaland, foretelling a possible move into Missy Elliott territory. His contribution ended up being minimal, but Kala was still a huge artistic leap, proving M.I.A. was more than a one-trick pony.