The British-born, Sri Lankan-raised M.I.A., whose real name is Mathangi Arulpragasam, burst onto the scene with her Grammy-nominated mega-hit “Paper Planes” in 2008.What fine family entertainment! I have to say that this is a pretty good article from the Chronicle about what's going on in Maspeth at the Knockdown Center. However, the reporter omits the fact that the "controversial rapper" is best known for flipping America the bird during the Superbowl and is currently in court fighting a $16.6M fine for the stunt imposed by the NFL.
Since then, her music has been critically acclaimed but has also spawned controversy.
The short film that accompanied her 2010 hit single “Born Free” depicts a mock genocide against red-haired people, even featuring a scene where a child is brutally shot in the head and killed.
Det. Thomas Bell of the 104th Precinct said there will be a police presence in the area during the shows, as well.
“We’re going to be out there monitoring everything,” Bell said. “We’ll be there.”
When contacted by the Chronicle, a spokesman for Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village) said she had no comment on the matter.What's wrong, Liz? What happened to the good jobs in the film industry that you said were going to happen here? Isn't it great that the NYPD's already limited police manpower will be going toward babysitting thousands of non-residents who have issues controlling themselves while your constituents will have to wait for responses? Crowley's taken a page from M.I.A.'s handbook and flipped Maspeth the bird.
Please sign the petition against the Knockdown Center's liquor license. It only takes a minute to do.
