Paper Planes Images

The artist gets ready to drop a rhyme.

Nine months pregnant, M.I.A. performed the hook of "Swagga Like Us" alongside rappers Jay-Z, T.I., Lil Wayne, and Kanye West at the 2009 Grammy Awards.

M.I.A. was a visual artist and designer before she became a recording artist. She still creates her own cover art for her albums; this is the eclectic cover for Kala, the album that includes "Paper Planes." Her visual style is as frenetic as her music.

A relaxed moment in the photo studio.