MIA : Born Free

Musicians do controversial things all the time and "offensive" themes and lyrics can be heard/seen around a lot these days.

The latest addition is M.I.A (each letter is said M I A not MIA) with her song and video "Born Free." - you may remember one of her popular hits : "Paper Planes".

You can read (if you trust wikipedia) all about her or visit the official site www.miauk.com as background of her past themes are crucial before you informed comment can be made.

Basically in the newest offering, armed thugs round up a group of redheaded guys and board them onto a bus to a death camp. It is pretty explicit, the boys are beaten, shot and blown up with landmines it features nudity so definitely has shock value.

The nine minute long video, directed by French director Romain Gavras, has been given an 18 plus rating on YouTube and created quite the perfect media storm - I first heard about it on Channel 5's Wright Stuff .

Before everyone jumps on the bandwagon with all the "It's too graphic, brutal and horrific" comments and puts their hand to their hands while falling over, let's examine a few key issues here.

As Shira Lazer, on CBS news website, says:

While this video is clearly not appropriate for all ages, it's themes have driven a real conversation. The fact is, somewhere in the world there are acts of violence like those in the video happening right now.

Ian Hamrick, the "star" has defended the video but I can't quite make up my mind.

Anna Pickard on the Guardian website hits the pros and cons quite spot on.

...the relative shock of seeing one ethnic group rather than another rounded up and treated as little more than vermin... to this... seems to pack random "shocking" images into the film, for no apparent reason...

Is it trying to raise a serious point and send out a serious message?- I think yes. But has it also got more explicit violence scenes than were needed to make a point?- I think yes.

Music is all about expression and creativity so overall I I believe the artist should be entitled to produce such a product, however without getting to grips in depth with all the political connotations raised I will sit firmly on the fence on whether this type of thing should become more regular in the search to clock up more "hits".

If you want to watch it, go for it. If you don't it is avoidable.