M.I.A. released a new song and accompanying music video called "Borders," which has the rapper showing solidarity with Syrian refugees and supporting a more open immigration policy in general. According to a press release obtained by Pitchfork, the Apple Music exclusive music video was directed by M.I.A. herself and is set to be a featured track on her upcoming studio album Matahdatah, which currently has no release date.
M.I.A. held nothing back for the visual aspects of this music video, as thousands of extras are used to simulate refugees climbing fences, traversing harsh landscapes and embarking on dangerous journeys across the seas.
At one point, a human boat in the sand is made out of hundreds of metaphorical refugees cloaked in beige hoods with M.I.A. at the front. She also travels in an actual boat with them to try and put herself in their shoes just a little bit.
The lyrics of the song are poignant and unmistakably political in nature as the hook of the song lists off various values, events and concepts, asking the basic question - "What's up with that?"
"Borders, what's up with that? Politics, what's up with that? Police shots, what's up with that? Identities, what's up with that?" M.I.A. raps on the hook. "Guns blow doors to the system/ Yeah f--k 'em when we say we're not with them/ We're solid and we don't need to kick them/ This is North, South, East and Western."
Check out the music video below.
Earlier this year M.I.A. released "Swords," which served as the first single off Matahdatah. The video listed the song as "Scroll 1 Broader Than A Border" and featured various dances from India and West Africa, as women quickly spun with swords cutting through the air.
Check out them music video for "Swords" below and visit her website for more information.
