P.O.W.A. Explained

P.O.W.A
Cover:	M.I.A. - POWA.png
Type:	single
Artist:	M.I.A.
Label:	Interscope
Prev Title:	Freedun
Prev Year:	2016
Next Title:	Up Inna
Next Year:	2020

"P.O.W.A" (pronounced "power") is a song by British musician M.I.A., released on 8 February 2017 by Interscope Records. The video was released alongside the single, and was directed by M.I.A.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Background and composition

A "politically-charged track",^[4] "P.O.W.A" features lyrical references to Rihanna, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, Barack Obama, Osama Bin Laden and the Spice Girls.^[5] The song also features chanting from M.I.A.^[6]

"P.O.W.A" samples "Blue Moon" by The Marcels.

Music video

"P.O.W.A"'s music video was directed by M.I.A and shot in Jammu & Kashmir, India. It displays the singer lying on a marigold truck, wandering several different desolate landscapes in J&K, capturing the state's natural beauty while wearing vividly-colored saffron saris to reference the famous colours of J&K, and a line of men dancing against a saffron wall.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Watch M.I.A. Call Out Pop Divas in Bold 'P.O.W.A.' Video . . 8 February 2017 . 9 February 2017 . Spanos, Brittany . Brittany Spanos.
2. Web site: Watch MIA's stunning, political 'POWA' video . . 8 February 2017 . 9 February 2017 . Morgan Britton, Luke.
3. Web site: M.I.A. Releases Artistic New Video for 'P.O.W.A.': Watch . . 8 February 2017 . 9 February 2017 . Aniftos, Rania.
4. News: M.I.A. Drops New Visuals For "P.O.W.A". HYPEBEAST. 23 April 2017.
5. Web site: Hear M.I.A.'s new single 'P.O.W.A.'. 8 February 2017. FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music.. 23 April 2017.
6. Web site: M.I.A. takes aim in her video for 'P.O.W.A'. DIY. 23 April 2017.