M.I.A.'s Tour Rider Specifies Burkas, Absinthe, And Other M.I.A. Type Things

Another day after the Superbowl, another M.I.A. "story." This time it's from The Smoking Gun, who did their duty post-sorta incident and dug up the official 2011 tour rider for the "middle finger-flipping star," as MIA is now apparently known. Amidst the reasonable-for-a-rider demands for organic fruit plates, "European" cheese, Ketel One vodka, absinthe and Red Bull, there's the seemingly incongruous request for a pair of 20-25 year old dancers in "full covered Burkas," which TSG has helpfully highlighted with a red arrow. Anyone who knows M.I.A.'s style even a little shouldn't be surprised by this, and the rider itself is perfectly normal. But middle finger-flipping! Fox News: we anxiously await your take.

[via Prefix]

Comments

[KMFIX]

11:36 PM on 02/13/2012

This is a typical rider for an artist of her status.

[rdk70816]

10:23 AM on 02/11/2012

Ugly, obscene, and void of talent. What more do we demand of American cultural objects?

[indieprncss75]

08:44 PM on 02/13/2012

MIA is not American or a cultural object. She is a indie rock performer who is obscene, but far from ugly and void of talent. I went to see her live 5 years ago and it was one of the best live shows I have been to in a very long time. She incorporates rap, rock and electronica for a dance trifecta that had an entire 1500 seat club on their feet dancing.

[rdk70816]

10:26 AM on 02/14/2012

I am glad she is not American. She did flip her finger as an obscene gesture intended to insult all Americans. She should be shunned.

[GoodIdeaAdia]

02:43 AM on 02/10/2012

I love M.I.A and was one of her dancers she chose from the crowd. This isn't random or bizarre

[tyrant510]

03:32 AM on 02/09/2012

this writer sounds desperate to make us feel as annoyed with m.i.a. as she is. the problem is, i'm more annoyed with the writer.

[Rocktopus]

12:16 AM on 02/09/2012

Don't poor oppressed Sri Lankan kids request the same when they have a birthday party?

[GO-BAMA]

10:09 PM on 02/08/2012

I worked in the industry for years. That being said, there is nothing unusual about her rider.

[cameron d]

04:59 PM on 02/08/2012

It's actually pretty darn reasonable.

[gemini68]

04:45 PM on 02/08/2012

I've seen her in concert- she does actually have dancers in Burkas.

[bigshotprof]

03:28 PM on 02/08/2012

Because she is . . . you know . . . edgy and controversial.

[moody31]

02:02 PM on 02/08/2012