M.I.A. Breaks Hiatus to Pay Tribute to K-Swift

Radio and club DJ K-Swift, who passed away earlier this year in a swimming pool accident, tirelessly championed her hometown's bombastic brand of hip-hop/dance music known as Baltimore club. Swift's longtime record label, Unruly Records, will release a tribute album, K-Swift's Greatest Hits, on December 23rd, which will show just how far the DJ's evangelistic fervor spread. "I'm a big fan of Baltimore club music and the movement that Unruly Records has established," says Sri Lankan MC M.I.A., who hosts the 36-track compilation. M.I.A., who has been taking time away from music since announcing her pregnancy in October, agreed to host the disc out of her appreciation for Swift, who is among the only female DJs to host a Number One rated radio show and a nationally syndicated mixtape show. On the day of the album's release, BET's The Deal will host a tribute to Swift.

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

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