M.I.A. Speaks Out Following Kid Cudi's Decision to Remove Her From Tour

M.I.A. has broken her silence after Kid Cudi terminated her position as an opener on the Rebel Ragers Tour, following comments she delivered during a recent performance.

The 50-year-old artist, known for "Paper Planes," took the stage over the weekend as one of the tour's opening acts when she addressed immigration-related topics. During her set, she stated: "I've been canceled for many reasons. I never thought I would be canceled for being a brown Republican voter."

She also remarked: "I can't do 'Illygirl,' though some of you could be in the audience."

The remarks drew boos from the crowd, prompting Kid Cudi to subsequently announce her removal from the tour.

In response, M.I.A. posted an extended statement on social media. She pointed to her 2010 album track "Illygal" and explained the context behind her comments, noting that she had introduced the song by discussing visa issues for her team. She emphasized her long-standing commitment to immigrant rights advocacy through her discography, stating she had written songs addressing these themes—including "Borders," "Illygal," and "Paper Planes"—years before the topic gained mainstream attention.

"I WROTE 'BORDERS' AND 'ILLYGAL' AND 'PAPER PLANES' BEFORE YOU THOUGHT IMMIGRANT RIGHTS WERE COOL. I'VE HAD THSES BATTLES BY MYSELF WITHOUT THE HELP OF MILLIONS OF FANS BACKING ME," she wrote.

She further addressed accusations of gaslighting and referenced her Christian faith, invoking Jesus as an immigrant and rebel. Her statement concluded with a reference to her newly released album, M.I.7, which came out in April and was inspired by her religious beliefs.

When a fan questioned her support for Donald Trump, M.I.A. clarified that she cannot vote in the United States and noted that 48% of the Latin community voted for Trump. She called for unity rather than division.

She also reposted a 2024 tweet in which she discussed her ability to predict political outcomes, referencing her previous prediction about Trump's victory. In the reposted message, she suggested reconsidering an earlier prediction, proposing Thomas Massie as an alternative to Robert F. Kennedy.