Gold

This is an interesting mixture of ethno folk, rap, and R&B. It lasts only one minute and 47 seconds. Written and performed by M.I.A., very talented singer – it is absolutely understood from the way of performance of this song. M.I.A. performs in the genre of ethno rap mostly. She is 41 years old and her given birth name is Mathangi Arulpragasam. On the citizenship, she's the British. M.I.A. is a singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, activist, fashion designer, director, model, visual artist, photographer, and more. Looks like she didn't achieve a lot in each sphere of her activity so she's trying herself in others to understand where exactly will she do better (maybe in none).
She says that Bjork, Madonna, and Timbaland have influenced on her style of music.
She has many accolades connected to her personal style, vividness, and a way of living.
She is involved in politics, she does philanthropy activities, she is also a media person and she was even accused of supporting terrorism, which is not true. The way of life of M.I.A. can be called dazzling and outstanding. She doesn't have any compromises when it comes to her outlooks and position. She is a fashionista. She is an art worker.
The list of her awards really amazes. She has been nominated for the Academy Award. She received one Asian Music Award. She was nominated for a Billboard Award. She has been several times nominated and one time won Canadian independent Music Award. She was nominated for Grammy 3 times but didn't manage to win any yet. She has two additional nominations on MTV Awards and she has won two already. These are not all her significant awards and nominations. If you want to know the whole list, please visit the according page listed here.
As for her studio albums, she has not many, only 5 + 25 video clips and 32 singles. Not any of them has reached number one in different charts but they were all rated on some positions and the worst one was 190th. The best one was number 7. The only her album named ‘Kala’ has received the certifications – silver from BPI and 2 Gold certifications from other facilities. None of these albums was sold in the quantity surpassing 1 million exemplars.
As for separate singles, her big breakthrough was with the one named 'Paper Planes' in 2008 – it was several times Platinum and reached number four in the charts of the US. Other countries that rated this track are the United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, and the US.
Unfortunately, this single had the maximum success in the terms of certification and ratings among all others that were done by M.I.A.
Through her singing career, she was collaborating with several artists including the person who inspired her, Madonna, and Nicki Minaj.
She also has extensive guest appearance in the songs by other performers. Their short list is Missy Elliott, Santigold, Madonna, and ASAP Rocky.
If you are not the passionate admirer of female rap, you may have never heard about this performer. Well let's assume that this film will be your first acquaintance to her talent.

Sources:

Read about M.I.A., M.I.A. discography and explore The list of awards and nominations received by M.I.A on Wikipedia