M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” Explained

M.I.A. biggest hit “Paper Planes,” which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 2008, is also the musician’s most influential song. On the Kala track, she addresses the stereotypes and situations that immigrants deal with on a daily basis. It’s built around a sample from The Clash’s 1982 song “Straight to Hell” and interpolates Wreckx-N-Effect’s hit “Rump Shaker.”