MIA – Kala

Released in August 2007, Kala is M.I.A.’s second studio album, named after her mother in tribute to her resilience.

The record was made across multiple countries – including India, Australia, Liberia, Jamaica, Angola, and Trinidad – due to visa issues, and reflects a fusion of avant‑garde electronic music with South Asian influences, gaana percussion, Bollywood samples, and global rhythms. Primarily produced by M.I.A. and Switch, it also features contributions from Diplo, Timbaland, Afrikan Boy, and the Wilcannia Mob. With lyrics confronting immigration, war, commercialization, and global inequality, the album masterfully balances sharp political commentary with infectious dance energy in tracks like Boyz, Jimmy, 20 Dollar and the iconic Paper Planes. It received widespread critical acclaim, cementing itself as a standout album of the decade and elevating M.I.A. to a vital voice in contemporary music.