M.I.A. on MAGA, the Kid Cudi Tour & Bipartisan Cancellation

M.I.A. on MAGA, the Kid Cudi Tour & Bipartisan Cancellation

From Popcast by The New York Times

June 5, 2026 · 1h 16m · Episode 569

About this episode

M.I.A. discusses her new album, political controversies, and her artistic legacy.

Two decades on from the ecstatic electronic pop and rap that made her one of the most significant, ear-opening stars in music, the Sri Lankan-British singer M.I.A. returned in April with “M.I.7,” her seventh album and first in four years, documenting her latest swerve, this time toward born-again Christianity. Last week, she sued Kid Cudi for breach of contract after being removed from his tour in May following her onstage comments about “illegal” immigrants. Before filing her lawsuit, she sat down with Joe and Jon to discuss whether her legacy of incitement has been an obstacle to her legacy of art, how she’s been both welcomed and rejected by either side of the American political spectrum and her recent spiritual awakenings.

People in this episode

Hosts: Joe, Jon

Guest: M.I.A.

Topics covered

  • M.I.A.
  • music industry
  • politics
  • cancellation
  • spirituality
  • artistic legacy

Keywords

  • M.I.A.
  • Kid Cudi
  • M.I.7
  • cancellation
  • politics
  • music
  • spirituality

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The New York Times

Books & works: M.I.7

Places: America

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