M.I.A. is no stranger to speaking her truth or sparking conversation in the Hip-Hop industry. During an Instagram Live session on Friday (Nov. 29), the “Paper Planes” artist revealed that Jay-Z once allegedly suggested she undergo plastic surgery shortly after signing her to Roc Nation in 2012.
According to M.I.A., neé Mathangi Arulpragasam, her introduction to the iconic music mogul came with a surprising directive: “The first thing he said to me was, ‘Get plastic surgery,’” she claimed. However, M.I.A. says she pushed back on the suggestion, doubling down on her confidence.
“I’m not insecure because I would have got plastic surgery,” she continued. “So their argument of ‘Maya’s f**king insecure, that’s why she needs to f**king massage her ego,’ fails. It fails because you turn around and ask … What women do you know who hasn’t had plastic surgery around [Jay-Z]? All of them have. I’m the only one who didn’t, which already proves the fact it’s not insecurity.”
M.I.A. joined Roc Nation management in 2012, ahead of her fourth album Matangi—but left the label two years later. Reflecting on her short-lived career, she noted that her authenticity has been her strength.
“Guess what? I’m 50, and I’m totally fine with the fact I am because, yeah, I f**king took off when I was 30″ she explained. “It took 10 more f**king years than any other f**ker because I was the first and I was the new. I was making something interesting happen that wasn’t f**king happening before.”
This isn’t the first time M.I.A. has aired grievances against Roc Nation. Earlier this year, she took to social media with claims that her early career was stifled due to Jay-Z’s alleged connections with the powerful Bronfman family.
M.I.A. shares a son, Ikhyd, with Benjamin Bronfman, and has suggested that her career sacrifices were made to protect her son.
“They ripped me off and copied my style,” she wrote on X back in February, accusing the industry of shadowbanning her and burying her work. She also alleged that Roc Nation “stopped all communication” with her, wiping her emails to Jay-Z asking for help.
Jay-Z has not responded to his former artist’s claims.
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