M.I.A. (with Julianne Escobedo Shepherd)

M.I.A. (with Julianne Escobedo Shepherd)

From Pop Pantheon by DJ Louie XIV

September 3, 2026 · 2h 24m

About this episode

Julianne Escobedo Shepherd joins DJ Louie XIV to explore the transformative career of M.I.A., discussing her origins, major works, controversies, and ranking her in the Pop Pantheon.

Julianne Escobedo Shepherd returns to Pop Pantheon to unpack the career of a pop star who changed the very notion of what a “pop star” could be: M.I.A. Louis and Julianne dig into M.I.A.’s origins, from England to Sri Lanka, India and back, her first mixtape and breakthrough with 2005’s Arular . Next they discuss 2007’s Kala and “Paper Planes,” the 2010’s Maya , the mess that followed the 2012 and her commercial decline. Finally, they discuss her later era music, recent string of controversies and rank M.I.A. in The Official Pop Pantheon. Listen to Pop Pantheon's M.I.A. Essentials Playlist Follow Julianne Escobedo Shepherd on Instagram Join Pop Pantheon: All Access, Our Patreon Channel, for Exclusive Content and More Shop Merch in Pop Pantheon's Store Follow Pop Pantheon on Instagram Follow DJ Louie XIV on Instagram Follow Russ on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: DJ Louie XIV

Guest: Julianne Escobedo Shepherd

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pop Pantheon

Books & works: Arular, Kala, Paper Planes, Maya

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