M.i.a Вђ“ Paper Planes -

The song was born out of M.I.A.'s own frustration with the U.S. visa system. In 2006, she was denied a working visa to enter America, reportedly due to her family's alleged (and denied) links to Tamil militia groups. This experience, combined with her background as a refugee who fled the Sri Lankan Civil War, fueled the track's subversive energy.

M.I.A. uses "Paper Planes" to adopt the persona of the very stereotype people fear: the "dangerous" immigrant. M.I.A – Paper Planes

: While often misinterpreted as a drug reference, it also alludes to the precarious, "throwaway" nature of a refugee's life. The song was born out of M

The song is built on a notable sample of by the British punk-rock band The Clash . Producers Diplo and Switch layered this with a lazy, downtempo beat that famously features the sounds of gunshots and a cash register in its chorus. Lyrical Meaning and Satire This experience, combined with her background as a