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.
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 M.I.A – Paper Planes
"Paper Planes" is the breakout hit by British-Sri Lankan artist M.I.A. (Mathangi Arulpragasam) . Released in 2007 as the eleventh track on her second album, Kala , the song became a global phenomenon, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Beyond its catchy beat, it is a sharp, satirical commentary on the xenophobia and stereotypes faced by immigrants in the Western world. Origins and Inspiration The song was born out of M
: While often misinterpreted as a drug reference, it also alludes to the precarious, "throwaway" nature of a refugee's life. This experience, combined with her background as a