There are three known artists under this name:

(1) Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam, a British alternative dance musician and graphic artist raised in Sri Lanka.
(2) An 80’s American punk band
(3) An Argentinian progressive folk collective

Not to be confused with:
mia - Michaela Grobelny, German minimal techno/electronic producer
MIA. - German electronica group

(1) Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam, (born 17 July 1977 in Hounslow, London, U.K.) is a British artist of Sri Lankan descent. As a baby she moved with her family to their native Sr... (+) expand

There are three known artists under this name:

(1) Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam, a British alternative dance musician and graphic artist raised in Sri Lanka.
(2) An 80’s American punk band
(3) An Argentinian progressive folk collective

Not to be confused with:
mia - Michaela Grobelny, German minimal techno/electronic producer
MIA. - German electronica group

(1) Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam, (born 17 July 1977 in Hounslow, London, U.K.) is a British artist of Sri Lankan descent. As a baby she moved with her family to their native Sri Lanka, where her father became increasingly politically active in militant activities. As the Civil War escalated the rest of the family was forced to flee as refugees, first to India and then the UK. “M.I.A.” [“Missing In Acton”] references both her London neighborhood (Acton) and her politically tumultuous youth.

Her style contains elements of hip-hop, reggae, dance hall, electro and baile funk and is strongly inspired by her Sri Lankan background.

(2) American Punk/Hardcore band formed in Orange County, CA in 1981 by Chris Moon, drums; Mike Conley, bass; Nick Adams, guitar (all previously of Las Vegas, NV punk band The Swell); and Art Carasco, vocals. The band broke up and reformed several times between 1981 and 1987, and were signed with Alternative Tentacles.

(3) Formed in the mid 70s, Independent Musicians Associated (MIA) was a group of musicians, technicians and drawers gathered together by Lito and Liliana Vitale’s parents. They produced their own records and concerts in an independent way. Their music is a complex symphonic rock with definite Argentinean/latin folk influence with multiple chorals and vocals beautifully contrasting with the keyboards and a great guitar sound upon a strong rhythmic section. They were highly influenced by symphonic music, more noteworthy by ELP, GENTLE GIANT and FOCUS (-) collapse