Fan Fare

M.I.A.’s latest video “Born Free”, which features scenes of nudity and graphic violence,  has fueled a raging Internet debate over the merits of the British-born rap artist’s latest politically-charged offering.

The nine-minute video, directed by Romain Gavaras, depicts American-flag clad commandos rounding up a ginger-haired minority, who are later executed or forced to run through a landmine-laden desert.

The disturbing video kicked up a fuss on YouTube and then ignited a tweet storm of opinion ranging from: the_real_amy, “I’m horrified! No words… #mia #bornfree”  to this from angiewa, “Attaching a message to your art doesn’t make it pretentious; it makes you one the few pop ‘artist’ I’m interested in. #bornfree”

The video, which at one point on Tuesday appeared to have been pulled off YouTube but is now up and streaming again on the site, is also available to watch on M.I.A.’s website.

Best known “Paper Planes,” which was featured on the movie soundtracks of both “Pineapple Express” and “Slumdog Millionaire,” the hip-hop artist of Tamil descent has never shied from politicizing her music. But is she brow-beating her loyal followers, trying to assert she won’t water down her political leanings because she’s on the verge of becoming a household name? And if you clicked on the link above and watched the video, what do you think? Heavy handed or right on point?