Matangi

Matangi is the fourth studio album by British rapper and singer M.I.A. It was released on 1 November 2013 on her own label, N.E.E.T. Recordings, an imprint of Interscope Records. M.I.A.'s longtime collaborator Switch primarily handled Matangi production; Hit-Boy, Doc McKinney, Danja, Surkin, and The Partysquad provided additional contributions. The album was recorded in various locations around the world and featured uncredited input from WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Its title is a variant of M.I.A.'s real first name and references the Hindu goddess Matangi. The lyrics feature themes related to Hinduism, including reincarnation and karma, and the music blends Western and Eastern styles. The album's release was originally set for December 2012 but it was delayed multiple times; in August 2013, M.I.A. threatened to leak the album herself if the label did not finalise a release date. The first single, "Bad Girls", was released nearly two years before the album. "Bring the Noize", "Come Walk with Me", and "Y.A.L.A." were also made available as singles prior to Matangi release and "Double Bubble Trouble" and "Sexodus" were released subsequently. Matangi received largely positive reviews from critics and was included in several publications' year-end lists of the best albums of 2013. Its chart peak was lower on the main album chart of both the UK and United States, although in the U.S. it topped the Dance/Electronic Albums chart and reached the top ten of the Top Rap Albums listing. It also charted in other countries, including Australia, Belgium and Japan. Background and recording